This just in— I am going to be doing something BIG soon. Something that I really didn’t think I would be doing. Something that is better than I could have ever planned for myself.
I’m saying “yes!” to the next step that God has called me to.
But first….. before I announce the next big… let me tell you what led up to this:
I’ve been home from the race and back in Casper for almost 7 months. That time has been… challenging. Certainly more challenging than I thought it would be.
And by challenging, I mean lonely, confusing, mundane, tiresome, stressful, emotional, and busy.
But sometimes challenges are worth it. And in this case, it totally was.
Mostly because it was completely in the will of God. I heard Him loud and clear when He told me to “obey and stay” in Casper. (2 blog entries previously).
I’ve learned a whole bunch in these last 7 months.
- I had a unique opportunity to be the “new Mel” in my old place.
- I was able to realize what I need in my life and how to do those things, regardless of the circumstances I’m in.
- I have been able to grow in areas that I didn’t know I needed to grow in.
- I have accepted the fact that some old sins were still a part of my flesh and that I must daily fight them off.
- I learned how to make time and space for God (and even myself) in the busy hustle and bustle of American lifestyle.
- I’ve realized important areas in which I am lacking here.
Lots of good things happened too, it wasn’t all cloudy skies. I’ve made a few wonderful new friends, experienced crazy blessings in various new ways, and bought a car (she’s pretty and blue and sparkly and her name is Wendy).
But something strange was happening inside me. I felt totally incomplete and empty. I felt like I wasn’t doing the right thing. Like God had bigger plans for me.
Desperate to find some answers, I took out my project searchlight binder from back in January. I skimmed over all the possibilities for alumni racers.
I came across a list. I read it and began to cry.
At Project Searchlight, Seth Barnes Jr. led a breakout session. He asked us to write 3 things that we saw the last year (on the race) that we were not okay with. I wrote:
- Orphans. Children without anyone to love or care for them.
- People dying from AIDS/HIV.
- Women trapped in toxic relationships. Women being exploited.
Seth Jr. said to write those things on a note card and place them somewhere that you will look everyday and let those things fuel your life. They are things that break your heart. Things that break God’s heart.
And I didn’t do it. I didn’t write them on a note card. I totally forgot about them.
And turns out, that’s what was missing.
I saw so many things last year. I saw a broken world that is so in need of love and of God. How can I go back to the way that life used to be? I daydream on a daily basis about the smiles of the children I met last year. I cry when I think of if they have food right now. I wake up disappointed that I am in a comfy bed instead of living among those who don’t even have a bed.
All I know for sure about myself is that I am passionate about orphans and about missions and about the AIDS problem. And those passions are strong and nothing I created on my own. God gave me those passions for a reason. And I want to let those drive my daily life.
So when I began praying about what this all means, I started to think of CGA. (Video below- perfectly describes why I felt called to go. I get chills listening to it).
CGA stands for the Center for Global Action. It is a program offered through Adventures in Missions. It is an apprenticeship program designed to equip and launch you into your calling. There are 3 main aspects to CGA.
1. Community- (This is honestly a whole other blog topic). I have learned how desperately important community is for me. It was one of the things that attracted me the most to CGA. It’s so ironic because right after the race, I couldn’t wait to live alone. And I hated it! I was totally made for community. I miss group bible studies, movie nights, dance parties, team time, and worship sessions. I miss feedback! I miss having people love me and desire for me to look more like Jesus. I miss living with a bunch of roommates. I am soooo excited to be fully immersed in community again!
2. Discipleship- I love growing. I don’t think I’ll ever not like it. I love been challenged, learning new things, understanding old things, and developing spiritual maturity. There are specific classes at the CGA designed to help you grow and develop.
3. Apprenticeship- I will get hand on experience in a specific field, unique to my calling and specific to my track. I will complete an internship, which it’s looking like i will get to go back to Swaziland for that, which makes me sooo beyond happy.
So which track am I doing?
It’s called the compassion track. It focuses on loving, caring for, and ministering to orphans. The main goal of the track is to love and serve the orphans, help them to understand their identity in Christ and eventually step out and become missionaries to the nations.
The catch?
The compassion track (which is so in-my-face clear that God is calling me to) is only offered at the base in GUATEMALA!
SOOOOOOOOOO. IN JANUARY 2015, I WILL BE MOVING TO ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA AND BEGINNING THE CGA PROGRAM FOR A YEAR!!!
So please, follow this blog!
I will no longer be blogging at my other blog, “Seasons of Mel” that was just for that season 😉 Now, for this next season of CGA, I will be using my World Race blog again. Please subscribe by clicking “update alerts” on the side bar under my photo (of me drinking coffee in Swaziland). 🙂
I will begin the fundraising process very shortly. Yes, CGA does cost money. If you already feel called to help me out, you can donate on my blog where it says “support me.” That would just blow my mind, really.
Be watching for lots of blogging again (YAYYY it’s really a favorite thing of mine), fundraisers and events, preparation for CGA, and lots more details!!
Thanks for everything you’ve all done for me already!!!!! (Like, I could NEVER thank you enough). And thanks in advance for all you’ll do. And thanks for reading this. And thanks for being my friend.
lovelovelove,
Mel 🙂
The Center for Global Action from Adventures In Missions on Vimeo.
