For you do not know what a day may bring. –Proverbs 27:1
This is not the blog I started. In fact, this is not any of the blogs I’ve started (and failed to complete or post) over the last two months. I’ve had much anxiety about how seldom I’ve been able to blog… But honestly, I’ve been hit hard. My whole squad has. You’ll see cool pictures of exotic locations on my Facebook and Instagram, and it’s true that I’m able to see and enjoy some of those things. A quick picture is so easy to share, but my experiences! How can I put them into words? Adventure is not the theme of the World Race, though. Nor is “free time.” Spiritual warfare is the name of the game. By embarking upon this journey to serve the Lord and advance His Kingdom, we have all put targets on our backs. But I will not turn back. I’m convinced I could escape without being noticed, with just a few scratches, but I would rather emerge with bleeding wounds and scars, for that means I was seen by the Enemy on the battlefield!
When I started the Race, writing, as well as having time in general, were two strong desires/goals of mine. God has had other plans for me, though. As a missionary, a team leader, a team member, a beloved daughter, and a devoted girlfriend, finding time to devote to writing has been low on my list of responsibilities and therefore priorities. I do, however, want to make sure you all know what’s going on, especially in a time like this!
First, we are safe in India. We were scheduled to go to Nepal this morning, just two days after the earthquake hit. Debrief (a Sabbath week scheduled for Racers every 3-4 months for rest and processing) was scheduled months ago for this week in Kathmandu. Our ministries for next month were all located in Kathmandu and Pokhara, which were the two hardest hit cities and where the most casualties are. We have not been able to reach most of our contacts, so we have no idea what is in store for us this next month. Our squad longs to go help and do disaster relief, but currently the situation is highly unstable, with multiple aftershocks up to 6.7 on the Richter scale, and a major lack of food and water. In addition to this, our squad has had our own disaster to relieve this month. A little under a week ago, four squad mates were in a serious car accident, which resulted in one squad-mate being unable to continue on the Race (please read a more detailed prayer request for her below).
For now, debrief has been relocated to Hyderabad, India. If I’m being honest, Hyderabad isn’t the most relaxing city. It’s huge, loud, polluted, and extremely difficult to get around. We are staying in a convent with bucket showers and no AC. It’s exactly how you probably picture a convent to be! But my intention is not to complain, but rather to ask for prayer for a supernatural time of peace, joy, and relaxation for our entire squad, despite not having that kind of environment. (Actually, I want to say that it is amazing that our fearless leaders were able to do such an amazing job finding a place for 50 people to stay in less than 48 hours!!! We are so blessed.) This debrief also happens to be the most highly anticipated. It is the end of Month 4, which means our beloved teams (family) will be changed. 2/3 of our squad leaders will also leave at the end of Month 5, so new squad leaders will be raised up from our squad during this debrief. So like I said, we need prayer for supernatural peace, joy, and rest in the midst of extensive change! I know it’s possible, because we are called to persevere and rejoice in all of our circumstances, no matter how difficult (Phil 4:4).
But what is perseverance? Is it preaching Easter Sunday service without sleeping in 48 hours or being able to detach a tissue from your nose? Is it facing your fears to live on the floor with hand-sized spiders, rats, monkeys, snakes, scorpions, etc.? Or living without power or running water? Or no water at all? Is it pulling yourself AND your team together after the loss of a teammate? What about two teammates? A best friend? Is it continuing to stand up and pursue God after the Enemy knocks the wind out of you before you’re even up again? Is it allowing yourself to be helpless and ministered to? Is it patiently waiting and praying out illness in a dirty hospital with insufficient resources? How about attempting to sleep outside in 102 degree weather with a 102 degree fever under a thatched roof shared with rats and spiders outside, because it’s still cooler than inside? Is it grappling with a life-changing car accident that four of your squadmates were in? Is it asking God, “WHY?” but still walking forward in complete trust and desire to obey? Is it simply not turning back???
Yes. It is all of these things. But it is so much more. We must rejoice in every circumstance. Even if something is extremely sad or difficult for us to understand, we are still called to rejoice (it is a command!). Why? Because God is still God, and God is still GOOD!!!
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame…” Romans 5:3-5
“Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces STEADFASTNESS. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
Hope that does not put us to shame and being perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, are pretty amazing promises. They are more than promises, but guarantees! If we only remain steadfast and persevere, we will receive these! Anyone who has been refined by the fire and chosen joy in the midst of difficult circumstances knows just how true this promise of God is.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The first week of April, I had no idea I would get so sick. The second week of April, I had no idea I would be losing 30% of my team. The third week of April, I had no idea I would receive such a sober reminder that I must be willing to pay any price to do the Lord’s work. The last week of April, I had no idea there would be a catastrophe in our very destination, causing me to hold everything in outstretched hands. Even now, it’s difficult to fathom such tragedy, so I give up my perceived right to be concerned for what tomorrow may bring. But what I DO remember is that tomorrow is a gift. It is not rightfully mine, but rather a precious gift given to me by the Lord. If He wills for me to live tomorrow, may I use all my energy to glorify and tell all about Him! If He does not will for me to live tomorrow, praise Him that I will get to see Him face-to-face! And if He wills for me to live tomorrow, but for my life to be changed forever, for tragedy to come upon tragedy, I will still extoll His Great Name! Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I will rejoice. By His grace, we will persevere, not being put to shame by the Hope we have in Our Lord Jesus Christ. So be it (Amen)!!!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Please pray for the young woman on my squad who was in the car accident. Please pray for God to mightily work a miracle in her, as He has already begun to do! Please pray for complete healing! He is reminding us that hope in Him does not disappoint!! (I’m sorry, but I am unable to share any further details with anyone at this time.)
- Please pray for our squad as we go into debrief, for us to process and grieve well the loss of 3 squad-mates this month. Please also pray for the squad’s peace about team changes and changes in leadership (we don’t want our beloved squad leaders to leave us!).
- Please pray for peace and flexibility in this next month of ministry. It may not be possible to go to Nepal, and most of our Indian visas expire in the next two weeks, so we will have to go somewhere…
- Please pray for all of the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, and especially our ministry contacts!
