I want to start by saying that this is only a part of my life story, not the most defining part. What you are about to read shows how a photo, taken by a girl on the other side of the planet, changed my life. However, this is not even close the best thing to happen to me. It was the Creator of the Universe that sent Jesus to die for me, so that I might be forgiven and that I might live free from the bondage of sin, THIS radically changed my life. He used a photo as just another tool to direct me to His calling. As you read this blog some things may appear to be confusing or unclear, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have, about what it means to “have a relationship with God,” my own story, or you name it! Some things in my story are not entirely clear to me either, and I will do my best to be totally transparent both now and while I am on World Race. I hope you are blessed through this blog as I share my stories, thoughts, struggles, and victories.
Here is the photo!
Over the last four years I have had quite a few major life changes, and through the most difficult times sprouted the most growth for me. God has blown up the “mental box” of comprehension I tried to fit Him in for so many years. He has spoken to me in ways that some might call crazy. In this journey I have learned so much, but the more I learn the more I realize just how little I know, and how incomprehensible God can be. However, God the Father has blessed mankind through Jesus Christ. So that whenever I am confused about something I experience, God has revealed His ultimate intentions through His word. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is: wisdom and clarity comes through seeking God, and LISTENING more than talking in prayer.
I prayed for months specifically about what ministry the Lord wanted me to focus on. I served in places in ministry during this time, and was learning just where my role fit best in the church body. Then as I slept one day, He spoke.
God gave me a very vivid and powerful dream, where He showed me where He wanted me to focus serving my ministry (the poor, foreigner, less fortunate, the neglected). For months I now prayed for the “where” He wanted me to do this. In the meantime I did my best to serve wherever I could in this capacity and I have so many awesome stories from that time, but I will some of those in other posts. Through this time God also showed me that this was not going to take place in the military.
This part was very difficult for me to do. Even after a lot of the difficulties presented with being in the military, I enjoyed a lot of it. However, after a lot of prayer, wise men of God encouraging me and a few weeks, I told my leadership that I was probably getting out at the end of my contract in July.
Within days of voicing of my intention to get out of the Air Force to pursue God’s leading, He showed me the next “where.”
I went to a worship night put on by a group of artists from Bethel church and during the worship God showed me a vision. Now all I could see is little difficult to describe but I saw a vivid picture of some very dry, cracked ground, a dry lakebed of sorts. I had no idea at the time exactly what it meant, but I made a mental note to pray about it later.
After the worship night I went out for some food with a few friends. When I walked in the restaurant I recognized a woman who was in line behind me before the doors opened. I introduced myself and we struck up a conversation. We spoke about a lot of things before the conversation turned to her daughter who she said was on a missionary trip called The World Race, I had never heard of this before. I thought it sounded awesome, and bold since she was currently spreading the gospel in a country that was heavily influenced by Islam. I asked what her daughter’s name was so I could be praying for her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t understand her very clearly with her accent and she instead typed her daughter’s name out on her Facebook search to show me how to say it; her name was Arlene Molina. She clicked on her daughter’s profile and then I saw it… the very first photo on her page was the EXACT image I saw in the vision just a couple hours earlier!
I eagerly tried to explain the significance to her, but I think in my shock I did a terrible job at adequately explaining what had just happened. I made sure to get the name of the organization again before she left and we said goodbye. When I got home I raced to my computer to see what this World Race was about and I immediately fell in love with it. After weeks of prayer, counsel, applications, and interviews for the WR…I am going on the Route 1 trip leaving in October!!
God is so creative and amazing in the ways that He works. I realized weeks later that all World Racers have a blog, I figured there couldn’t be that many people with the name Arlene on there. Sure enough, I found her! I was able to share my story and her part in it, and the coolest part was that I got to hear her side of it! Actually, you can too!
Here is a link to the blog post she wrote at that time, including my story towards the bottom: http://arlenemolina.theworldrace.org/post/no-hesitation-and-fundraising-update
Arlene is also still fundraising in order to finish her journey, please support her as she is serving in the field right now and has her deadline approaching soon.
Now as I prepare for this amazing journey I see that God is so amazing. He not only calls, but He connects! I never expected to have all these things line up with the World Race. I didn’t even know it existed! Haha
As I serve in ministry at Grace Point Church, finish my service in the Air Force, and prepare for the greatest “leap of faith” adventure I have ever embarked on and I am constantly reminded of one beautiful fact. I AM NOT IN CONTROL. I have surrendered my life and future to the Lord. In God I put my trust, both now and forever.
Yours in Christ,
Andy
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
