Continued from yesterday.
This particular opportunity to go to South Asia seemed right up my alley, but as the enthusiasm settled down, there were concerns I had to consider. For work, I’m the main (read: only) writer; support-raising to be a full-time missionary is hard enough. At church, I’m supposed to be spearheading the planning for our spring outreach.
Yet amidst the concerns, I wasn’t getting a “No, don’t go,” from God but he wasn’t saying “yes” outright either. I asked my small group and housemates to pray. And while they, especially my housemates, were very gung-ho about it, I saw no green light, but no red one either.
So it seemed that while I wanted to adopt the posture of “Jesus… would only move when he felt you lead,” to borrow the words of Brian Johnson, God wasn’t leading me to stop or to go. Thus, as much as I dislike being wrong, I concluded that I’d rather risk error than regret.
“Just…move,” Michael Hindes says to our generation. Mike Paschall pointed out that our generation is paralyzed by our sense of entitlement to avoiding making mistakes.
So, screw the “What ifs”. And, reality check: I, his daughter, simply want to please God — what Father would say no to that?!
When my “yes, I’m interested” became, “yes, I’m going,” it was unexpectedly anticlimactic. No unease, no euphoria. Just… I guess I’m going to India.Time off for the trip approved. Plane tickets bought. Visas (all except one of us) procured. Core planning team for spring outreach is legit (so legit, in fact, that I wonder what I’m contributing aside my “title”).
Now, I’m beginning to sense the gravitas of what I arrogantly thought of as a quick jaunt overseas that would quell my wanderlust.
- My friends and I were at Busboys & Poets to hear Lisa Williams share stories – including her own – of surviving being trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.
- Next month, a week before we leave, ODPC will be hosting a screening of Sex + Money: A National Search for Human Worth.
- Remember how I wondered what I’m to do with this awareness of human trafficking in my backyard and hometown over a year ago? Well, I’ve only grown more aware.
- You don’t know this (maybe you do), but this summer, I was challenged to ask the Lord how he wants me to pursue justice.
So while the trip is only ten days long, the impact will continue long after — for each of us going, for ODPC, for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, the country, the world… would you like to be a part of the impact?
I’m going to do something very World Race-esque if the costs of the flight and malaria medicine are raised. Click here (visionforjustice.causevox.com) for details on the trip and to donate.
