I’ve been presented with exciting new opportunities and relationships since I’ve been home. For a while I was really struggling with why God chose the timing he did to be pulling on my heart the way he has been. Truly, though, I feel like this next year is going to be the formative experience that will fully prepare me for those new longings or whatever else God has in store for me after the Race. I’ve been reminded of the beautiful family I have – from my parents, brothers and sisters to all the wonderful people at my home church. Whenever I come home, they all welcome me with open arms and open hearts. As I contemplate the work we will be doing around the world this year, I have very much felt “sent”.
I seem to have forgotten what an eager community we have at my church here at home. We have people eager to help, eager to listen, and most of all eager to see God work in the lives of others. As I have shared my heart about the World Race they have been excited to hear what God is doing in my life. This summer is the most time I have spent among these beautiful people in a long time and I truly feel like I am “one of us”. I also feel like I have been sent from this community to carry our wonderful Spirit around the world. Three other young people from our church served on missions trips this year and I really believe the World Race will bring attention to missions at my church in such a way that more and more of my generation and generations to follow will be called to missions from our church. As the community has poured in around me in preparation, eyes have been opened to the international possibilities to see God work.
I’m hoping many of you Holy Cross supporters will be reading this and encouraged in the work that has been continuing at our church. I truly feel like the Lord has already worked mightily in me through the World Race and my prayer continues to be that He would work mightily in all of you as well. I am going, surrendering a year living out of a backpack and a tent that others might be comforted through His word. I hope that the fire He has lit in me to see a world reached for His glory will catch in your heart as well. We have a great passion to see people touched and you can be a part of it today. Follow me on this blog, pray with me, tell others about the great work He is doing. I commit to being diligent in updating you on how God continues to work in myself and my team, posting pictures and video. I hope you will commit to keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
I still have a little ways to go in support raising. I currently have about $5500 in support. I need $6900 by my departure date and a total of $13,800 to complete the race. I believe that if you can commit to a monthly pledge of any amount, you will be tied to this ministry in a way that you cannot imagine. I know the Lord is calling me on this trip and I believe He will provide for me financially through many of you. If you would like to donate now you can click on the “Support Me” link on the left side of this page. If you would like to hear more of my heart for this project click the “Contact Me” link on the left to send me an email and we can get together before I leave to talk more about what I think God will be doing in and through me with the World Race.
I hope it is apparent from all of the above that the Lord is continuing to get me excited for this upcoming opportunity. I’m very anxious and a little bit nervous about what lies ahead, but more confident that ever that it is what the Lord planned for me before time began. I’m so thankful for all of you that have already joined wholeheartedly in the journey and I know He is calling more. I hope we can walk together in seeing His world touched in a way we have never seen before.
