Coming onto the World Race, I hoped this trip would give me some insight as to what God wanted for me for the rest of my life. I had no idea that it would bring me to a place where I had to confront my past, forgive myself and others, work through my selfishness, learn to trust others, work with people who love Christ, and experience some of the greatest joy I've ever felt in my whole existence. I left America completely naive to the injustices, brokenness, and lack of hope in the world. I will be coming home bloodied, battered, torn, exhausted, and full of excitement for the nest season in my life. Did God give me some insight? He sure did.
I knew a long time ago that I have a passion for the youth in America. A couple years ago, God also gave me a passion for overseas missions. I had no idea He would actually merge these two passions into something to further His Kingdom here on earth. I don't know exactly how it is all going to work out, but basically I have this vision of equipping and discipling middle school and high school students to go out into the world and witness the brokenness and the injustice and the lack of hope in the world, to partner with churches and organizations who are in these areas full time, and equip and encourage them to DO something.
However, before I am able to do this, I need more training and discipleship myself. The organization that sent me out for the World Race, called Adventures in Missions (AIM), has a discipleship center called Center for Global Action (CGA). This program allows alumni racers get the training and discipleship they need to put their gifts into action. I have committed myself to this program for one year starting in September. I will have the opportunity to work side by side people who are sending out missionaries all over the world doing anything from logistics or finance to storytelling, I will continue living in community with other alumni racers, I will attend classes that are designed to grow me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and I will even have the opportunity to work as an intern in one of their global discipleship centers over next summer.
Mom, Dad, family and friends in VA: don't worry, I won't be too far away or unreachable! The center is based out of Gainsville, GA: about an hour north of Atlanta. I look forward to spending time with those of you who have prayed for and supported me through this journey, sharing my pictures and stories on a more personal level than through a blog or over Facebook.
Like the World Race, this program is funded through support raising. I am excited to see God continue to provide for my needs as He has for the Race. I also have the opportunity to hold a job outside of CGA (I've already applied at Starbucks) so please keep this in your prayers as I NEED to pay off my student loan debt. CGA will take up my Monday-Friday 9-5 time so please pray specifically for a night and weekend job to present itself!
I am sad that I won't be returning to Virginia (aka: the best state ever) to live, but I am also excited because I know that His plans are ALWAYS better than our own.
