The past couple of weeks have been consistently filled with one over-arching question: “Do you feel prepared?” I have thought relentlessly about the word “prepared,” and to me that question means: “Do I feel prepared to leave my family, friends, church, support system, bed, house, and all of my excess comforts for nine months?” I have spent countless hours trying to answer that question for myself, and it has led me to one conclusion: I don’t believe that I can be truly prepared to do something so life-changing. However, I do feel ready. I have my gear, I’ve learned how to pack efficiently, and I can not wait to meet my team mates!! In spite of this, I think that being ready is different than being prepared. The immense amount of difficulty, pain, fear, hopelessness, and poverty that will meet me when I am gone not only intimidates me, but scares me.
In trying to prepare myself for the coming months, I have been forced to face insecurities that I could otherwise avoid; it has shown me that I can only rely on myself so much before I need to turn to God. In the past few months, I have begun laying a foundation for myself that I know God will continue to build on. So, while I am not completely prepared to change my life for nine months, I am 100% confident that God has given me the ability to do so.
On a different note, here are some updates!
– I have training camp in FOUR days!! I am so excited to get a taste of what this experience will be like and to meet my team! Please pray for both my squad and me as we try and figure out what nine months will be like in ten days!
– Also, I have been so blessed to receive the funding that was required for my first deadline, and am excited to say that I am only $2000 away from meeting my second deadline ($10,000)! Please pray that God would move in people’s hearts to continue supporting my journey.
– In addition to meeting my first deadline, I have ordered and received all of the gear for my trip! As expensive as it can be to live the way my team will be living, I am so grateful that I was able to purchase all of it by this time.
– This one isn’t really an update, but it is a request to take a moment and pray for me and my trip! Please pray that I will stay confident in my faith no matter what difficulties I might face, and that I will continue to trust in God through this somewhat “mysterious” process!
– Lastly, I really want to thank each person that has donated to my trip anonymously. While I was quite frustrated that I couldn’t tell you thank you, I felt overwhelmed that you would be so generous and not want any credit for it. Thank you for supporting me, even if I don’t know who you are.
