I had just been released from the hospital and I was eager to get out of the house. I was in a funk. Depression and hopelessness was festering inside of my boo-boo’ed body (I can’t help it…I’m a nanny!). So lift my spirits, I decided I was going to go and explore the possibilities my future could hold.
“Where in the world do you do that?” you’re asking yourself.
Barnes and Nobles !?!? OF COURSE!
I’ve always wanted to travel and have never been outside of the US besides my short-lived time in China. So, I decided I would spend my day dreaming of traveling the globe to lift my spirits. I made my way to the travel section and, already exhausted, plopped on the floor; Facing me: a book about every possible country you could travel to. I closed my eyes trying to get my dizziness under control and envisioned myself: healthy and strong. Opening my eyes, I felt God drawing my attention to very specific countries. Was I expecting for God to show up on my spontaneous venture to Barnes and Nobles? Absolutely not, but there He was clear as day whispering to my heart. I sat there for hours flipping through page after page about the culture and beautiful sights to see in each country. I somehow could envision myself traveling with that nomad in Mongolia, or talking with a woman in India as we took a stroll through the spice market. It did lift my spirits to dream about these extravagant places and precious needy people half way across the work, but not once, though, did it actually cross my mind that I would someday be able to journey there to experience it for myself.
Ok, so you’re waiting for this miraculous calling from God to culminate this story, but that didn’t happen. I got bored after a while and, finally feeling a little more optimistic, I got up and left.
>>>Fast-forward>>>
About a year passed since that day, but this hole inside of my heart was growing bigger; a hole I didn’t even know I had. I felt myself yearning for something bigger than myself, something that would push me to my limits and make me a better person and something that would almost be unbelievable. A few months ago I had the urge to search mission’s trips (knowing that I probably wouldn’t be able to go long term because of my job). But, I googled them anyway (there she is dreaming again). The World Race popped up and I am somewhat familiar with it. I explored some more, daydreaming and wishing with each extra click that I made. My eyes fell upon the phrase ‘11 countries in 11 months’.
11 Months!?!
“That’s CUH-razyyy!”I thought to myself.
“This will never happen”.
Oh, wait. Its not only 11 months long, it’s to 11 countries!
Not to mention the cost… is that $162.50, or does that say $16,250!?!?
Um, heck-to-the-no.
This will never happen.
I felt God urging me to check out the several routes around the world that you can take. Some go through Africa or Europe or South America and I, being the daring person that I am, felt the need to test God as I spoke, “Ok God. If there is a World Race route with ALL of the countries you drew my attention to a year ago in Barnes and Nobles, I will apply”.
The first route I clicked on only had a couple of the countries on Gods list.
The second route… a whole different part of the world that the countries He lead me to.
The third route:
- China
- Japan
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- India
- Mongolia
- Nepal
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Malaysia
- Laos
My mouth dropped as my mind frantically began to race. “Those are all of them alright. What do I do now? I can’t quit my job and raise 16,250$ in the next five months.”
But I felt The Counselor begin to speak to my spirit.
“This is why you decided not to start your college classes a month ago. This is why I allowed your faith to grow in your time of illness and homelessness and addiction, and why I allowed you to endure moving around your entire life and to be placed with a family that would teach you patience and kindness and generosity that you will need to minister to all peoples of the world. This is what you’ve been waiting for; that something more, something bigger than yourself, that unbelievable experience that will push you to your limits to be that humble, loving, and servant minded woman of God you’re yearning to become. I am your God. There isn’t logic. Just faith. Step out and be filled to overflowing. This is no longer your time to be sit on your faith, but to act. Faith without works is dead. Deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me.”
So, what can you do when that calling that you’ve been praying for for over 4 years has finally been placed in your lap and God is confirming it with you?
Oh, no. You don’t run from God, you pursue. So I ran.
I kept my end of the bargain and I applied to The World Race.
