I left Colorado the morning of Tuesday, January 6th knowing that this place and I would not be the same when I return in 11 months. It’s a scary realization to comprehend that everything you’ve ever known is being left behind and that you are leaving your former self behind with it. In the days leading up to the race I wondered if it was all worth what I was leaving behind. Saying goodbye to family members, friends, and the place I call home was one of the hardest and strangest things I’ve ever had to do. I can honestly say that it all not would be worth it if not for one thing, Jesus. My desire to know Christ better and to feel his unfailing loving surpasses any comforts from home and makes the goodbyes bearable.
The past few days have been filled with additional training in Atlanta, Georgia to get us prepped for 11 months of ministry and foreign living. These training days feel like a giant waiting room of mental and spiritual preparation before the vast changes ensue.
Launch has been filled with a whirlwind of information that has been overwhelming for my brain to handle at times. After our safety lecture we met with our squad and teams to go through a mock safety scenario.
Here was our situation:
Your team has split into two groups for ministry in a trafficking district. At the end of the day your team plans to meet up at a specific time and location. That time rolls around and the other half of the team does not show up. What are your concerns and immediate actions?
My team talked through what we’d do and had a pretty solid understanding of how to logically work through the situation. We felt confident when our squad mates shared their solutions and our action steps lined up. We were momentarily feeling good about our ability to handle a potentially dangerous situation. However, my confidence quickly faded when one of my other squad mates proclaimed, “I was surprised how long it took our team to think about praying for the situation and our lost teammates.” Woah. That statement hit me hard. Not once did it occur to me to stop and pray in this situation. I felt a bit embarrassed and bothered that it never occurred to me to give the worry and anxiety up to the God of the universe who can handle ALL things. I realized that I consult God for the big things and seek his guidance occasionally but I do not depend on him wholeheartedly for all things.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5
I pray that this year I will allow the Lord to become the center of my world, who I depend on and who I turn to in all circumstances. With Christ by my side I pray that I will be ready for what lies ahead.
My squad and I will be leaving for Manipur, India on Saturday, January 10th and will arrive in India on January 12th. Please pray or our safety as we take 4 planes and a bus to get to our ministry location.
