This month has been one filled with change. Well, more accurately information that indicates change. At the end of Greece we, within 24 hours, we received our new placements as well as our dates that we would be flying home. I am officially coming home November 20th! It has been a whirlwind changing countries while trying to process what’s next. But that’s the question that everyone is asking. That is the question that is bouncing around in my head too. Thankfully the Lord has always been faithful to give me a trusting spirit when it comes to my future. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had my own share of freak outs though. The nice thing with having my future wide open is that the possibilities are endless. The bad thing is that, well, the possibilities are endless. Thankfully Adventures in Missions equipped us with navigators before the race, who are alumni in place to help us with reentry. They have been keeping up with us throughout the race via our blogs and social media. They know our journey as well as have been on their own. My navigator has been so helpful in helping me gain some perspective as well giving me lots of encouragement. (Thank you Linley!!)
On top of that, a few days into Bulgaria we got an email from our mentor informing us that we will be undergoing team changes again. And to compound that, we have a say. We were asked to complete a survey in which we choose two people whom we would like to learn from two people we would like to pour in to. Talk about stress!! I have nearly fifty people to choose from and you want me to pick four?! But, as always the Lord is faithful to let me know who he wanted me to ask for. Through those few days I realized how much I have grown since our last team changes. Last time I was super anxious. I trusted the Lord, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have nerves. This time I am fully confident that Jesus will place people on my team who are going to grow, challenge and support me in the exact ways I need to help me finish my race strong through Africa. I LOVE my team now and I am reluctantly processing what it will mean to not be a team anymore.
The challenge now is how to stay present. It is like Bulgaria is a hill that we’ve crested that has allowed us to see the next town as well as the finish line. With so much to consider on the horizon, how to I stay fully present here? How do I allow Bulgaria to be its own, standalone month? How do I not view it as just a springboard for Africa? I don’t have the answers to these questions. At least not all of them.
I do know that the Lord has ordained ministry this month to allow for a lot of time for reflection. I have had the freedom to spend a lot of time in prayer and in scripture working it out it out with my heavenly Father. And he has been so faithful. As per usual.
Until next time,
Gig’em and God Bless!
