It is amazing what happens when obedience to the Lord and limited expectations/fears bring an unimaginable new chapter to life.
Here’s MY story:
I returned to the United States from the World Race on November 20th, 2016. My family surprised me at the LA airport, and we spent Thanksgiving week traveling the west coast (including a stop at the Grand Canyon). After returning home to GA, I spent a lot of that time catching up with friends, and staying the night with extended family.
We were renovating our home during this season, and my stuff was everywhere, and things were almost always out of place. Consistency and a sense of feeling “settled” were the two things I dreamed of once I got home from the ever-changing World Race.
I translated this desire for “settling” into my future plans, as I began to dream of full-time employment, owning my own apartment, and getting set up for traditional life after college. I became restless, as I wanted to look for jobs, but the Lord and I made an agreement that I would not apply for anything until after a weekend retreat known as Project Searchlight (which took place mid January).
Project Searchlight is designed to empower Racers who just got off the mission field to seek the Lord in their next chapter of life. I attended sessions about dependency on the Lord, how to put the World Race on a resumé, how to find your calling, what to do when the Lord has you in a season of waiting, etc.
I learned a lot, but I knew I would be returning home, putting the World Race on my resumé, and jumping into the corporate world immediately…right?
Before a session began, a woman stood on stage and said, “We have a session coming up later on to discuss opportunities to lead future missions teams with AIM.”
My heart fluttered. Really Lord?
“And,” she continued, “three of you in the audience will be leaving NEXT WEEK to various places, because we need leaders now!”
Oh no! I went into panic mode, because I felt the Holy Spirit tug. Certainly not, Lord! This isn’t settling at all! This makes no sense. Why would I just pick up and leave without any forethought or planning? I would have to raise money again! I would have to live in community again! I’d have to seek You more and more each day to be able to pour out to others!
I attended the information session with my head spinning from a mountain of pros and cons building up in my thoughts. After fighting it, I stood up and said, “Yes!” (In the middle of the session) to the call to go. I interviewed minutes after the meeting, but I knew without a doubt, this is where God was calling me.
I can’t explain the peace that washed over me the minute I said, “yes,” in obedience to the Lord. Even when the logistics of it all didn’t make sense, saying, “yes,” was the only way I felt peace. No expectations from this point forward, and it has been a beautiful journey, ever since.
I was told I was going to Costa Rica for 3 months to co-lead a team of 14, passionate 18-22 year olds.
I packed my bag the next night and said goodbye to family. Over the course of one week: I returned to camp for leader training, the team arrived for field training, and we got on a plane January 23rd.
Now, we have been here for 1 month. We are working with a missions program, called Ocean’s Edge, in Jacó, Costa Rica. We serve the community through a pre-natal pregnancy care center, homeless ministry, multiple children’s ministries, prayer walks through town, and more! Every day looks different.
In addition to the mission of the participants, my primary mission as a leader is to serve/lead this team of young adults. I spend a lot of my time in one-on-one discipleship with them, and encouraging their intimacy with the Lord. My co-leader and I are also responsible for communicating with our ministry host, fascilitating finances of the team, and more!
I truly believe that this is where I am called to be.
I am still fundraising for my time in Costa Rica. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me? I only have 2 months left to raise about $1,800. I need prayers and financial support. All gifts to AIM are tax-deductible, and they are will help me TREMENDOUSLY! Additionally, all prayers are meaningful. If you would like specific prayer requests, please email me, or message me on Facebook.
Thank you in advance for believing in what God is doing in and through me!
More stories to come!
