It has been a long journey of waiting, praying, and seeing the Lord move and work in many ways since I signed up for the World Race last September. Tomorrow is my Launch for the World Race and Monday I will leave the country and head for the Ivory Coast. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that all of you have followed God’s call and chosen to support me financially and through prayer over the last 11 months. Through all of you, God has taught me so much about His constant love, how trustworthy He is, and the joy to be found when seeking His guidance and presence. I remember thinking to myself last September that the fundraising would be the hardest part of my entire World Race journey; that raising over $17,000 would be next to impossible and from there it would be a downhill climb. Through all your love and support the Lord has proved me wrong and I could not be more thankful for all of you.
Two of the biggest questions I have been asked as the time for Launch has continually drawn closer are: “What are you most excited about?”, and “What are you most nervous about?” There is not one easy or simple answer. I am really just so excited to see God continue to work over the next 11 months. I know there is so much He is going to do, so much of His power and love that will be revealed, and so much growth for His Kingdom on earth. Though I do not know right now exactly what that looks like, I am so excited to be a part of glorifying God in any way I can. Whether that is through miraculous healing, baptizing people in Jesus’ name, or just doing what I can to help an orphan, I am excited to do the work.
Yes, I am nervous as well. I know that this next 11 months will be challenging, but the reward is worth the challenge. There is not an easy answer to this question either. I am nervous that there will be times that I will fail while on the World Race, I am nervous and sad that there will be things that happen at home while I am away that I cannot be present for, and I am nervous and sad to leave home and the support of my parents, family, and friends.
It is interesting to me that when people ask me these two questions they seem to be much more interested in whether or not I am nervous and what I am nervous about. I think it is true that we are living in an Age of Worry as John Mayer claims. People are worried for me and worry can be infectious and there are times when I get worried also. This time right before Launch reminds me of the time right before I went to college. I was scared about being out on my own, I was scared about not having my regular support system around, and I was scared about trading the known for the unknown. That is what I am about to do again: trade the known for the unknown; though not really.
What I know is that the Lord is trustworthy even when I am in a place and setting that is unfamiliar – that will continue to be true. Even in the unknown it will still be known to me that God is constantly with me, that His love is constantly present, and that I can trust in Him. Psalms 89:33 says, “But I will not take My love from him, nor will I ever betray My faithfulness.” I am confident that the Lord will not take His love, grace, or presence away from me or the rest of my squad as we set out on Monday and He will continue to be with us to the end. Even though it will be hard to say goodbye to my life in Georgia, my squad and I will go out into the Age of Worry and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to the nations. Please continue to pray for us as we head out on Monday. Thank you all so much for your love and support!
Glory to God!
