As many of you may know, I was originally supposed to depart in September of 2013. Due to a conflict in Kingdom-callings, I was forced to push my departure back until January 2014.
At the time, I was sort of bummed about having to leave later and being postponed. I was worried about losing the awesome route I was already signed up for, and I was sad to leave my U-Squad homies, with whom I was just beginning to build relationships.
But in the time between that day and this, I feel like my Elohim has taught me so much.
First of all, I am simply in awe of the masterful orchestration of his plan! I mean, can we all just spend a minute talking about how sweet his plan is? Because, honestly, I know a few things I would/could be doing if I hadn't been called to be a missionary, and they are all awesome. But not a single one is as amazing or fulfilling as being sold out to my one true (and first) Love. He called me from some stupid-cool things. But he has called me to the most amazing, fulfilling, and perfect plan for me: Missions.
When I found out I was going to have to defer my trip until later, I was feeling sort of bummed. But now lets just all take a minute to analyze this… Because I am now leaving in January, I get to do Kingdom work in 2 different capacities (the aforementioned conflict). I will, by the beautiful grace and mercy of my God, be graduating in December of 2013…BEFORE I LEAVE. I will have more time for God to show his provision through his faithful people in my fundraising campaign. I will get more time with the students with whom I work at River Valley Church. The band for which I am a road pastor will get more of my time. I will have more time to grow as a man of God (#MOG).
I have learned a little bit of patience. The lesson to shut my mouth, give up control, and follow God has been reinforced, though I am not quite sure if I have actually learned it or not. I have once again seen his sovereignty in action, as well as the freaking perfection of his beautiful plan and will in my life.
When I deferred my race, I was really sad to lose the awesome set of countries I had.
Previously, I was going to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, China, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Ukraine, Nepal, and Romania.
Out of those 11, I have felt called in some capacity or another to, at the very least, briefly serve Thailand, India, China, Uganda, and Kenya.
Giving up all of those countries was pretty tough because it was something I was in control of. I picked those countries. I applied for that specific route.
Don't Get me wrong–I prayed over the choice before I selected this one in particular, but there is no doubt that I wanted to go on this route a whole lot…But a great friend and mentor, Bobby Stephenson, pointed out the selfishness of this plan… I wanted to go to those countries for me. But was that where God wanted me to be, and is serving others really about me?
I remember a few years ago, when I wanted a particular career, but God had other ideas. I wanted that career for me, but he changed my path. Now I look back, and I am afraid of what would have happened had I gotten the career I wanted. Lets just agree that God totally knows what he is doing.
So as far as the route switch goes…
I was told when I deferred my trip from September 2013 to January 2014 that when the new routes were posted, I could pray over them, and choose the one I felt God calling me to. But I was also told that the new routes wouldn't be posted for quite some time. Specifically, I heard that the first two Jan. 2014 routes would be posted around March '13, and the second two would come around May '13. For me, the thought of not knowing my route for that long was scary. I wanted to pray over my route. I wanted to pray for the countries and their people. I wanted to pray for me and my team's ministry there, and my squad's time there. I was not keen on the uncertainty. But it isn't my place to tell God how to carry out His plan, so I just followed along…with a rather large amount of grumbling, I might add.
Well, remaining true to form, God surprised me yet again.
The January routes were posted today!
All 4 of them!
And just to add to the coolness, there are a lot of "Never-before"s! There is a themed route as well as a couple new countries!
Needless to say, I am geeked out about all this.
I am really happy about seeing the crazy cool ways that God works, but I am also super glad to finally feel like I have something worth blogging about.
So check out this link to see the routes: http://updates.theworldrace.org/?filename=january-2014-routes-announced&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter. Help me out by praying and asking the Father to show me where he is sending me. My God is too big and too intimate for accidents. This is no coincidence. He has planned this for a reason. Join with me in prayer. Ask Him to reveal His plan to me. Ask him to show me which route he has made for me. I would also really appreciate it if God's people would begin praying over each of the countries, the citizens, the squads, the teams, and the individual missionaries that will be heading over there.
I will be choosing a route this week, and I will be prayerfully pursuing God's best for my life. Join me?
I also would really like to ask you all for help in another way. I am still facing the large mountain of fundraising. Luckily, I have a God that moves mountains. I am asking all of you for a huge favor: talk to your pastor, missions minister, youth pastor, teacher, or leader. Tell them about my calling and the adventure God has for me. Maybe your group/class/congregation will feel lead to support me with a lump sum or a monthly donation. Hopefully they will all give me heavy prayer support. Maybe your church organization would even like me to come speak about what God is doing in my life? I would be so stoked (that means happy, for all you old people) to do that!
I cannot wait to see what kind of crazy cool things God has in store. Thank you for supporting me and joining along side me on this rollercoaster of a spiritual adventure.
