I know what you’re thinking: Liz the World Race is 11 countries in 11 months- not 12.
Back in June our squad mentor told us she was going to hike the Camino in Spain because it was a place where a lot of people were searching for what was missing in their lives. It was the perfect place to evangelize and remind people how much God loves them.
I thought it sounded cool but if you know me, I am NOT a fan of hiking and I dropped out of high school Spanish after one week. I didn’t think much more about it.
Shortly after I launched I heard another story about the Camino, and I felt God starting to change my heart. So in September I began to pray. Month after month it came up over and over again, sometimes from testimonies at my home church, sometimes ministry hosts or former World Racers had done it and said it was one of the best things they had ever done. The more I told God I didn’t want to go and it wasn’t for me the more stories and people He sent, and I found myself actually wanting to take on this challenge. I prayed for 7 months.
I told God when I got to Haiti that I wanted another sign. But as I sat talking to some of the short term missionaries here about how I felt called to do this, and even to Haitians as I evangelized about how God can change our heart’s to desire to do things for Him we never thought possible… It became overwhelmingly clear that I didn’t need another sign. I knew what God was asking.
At that point it was about whether or not I trusted Him. You may remember the blog I wrote when I first got to Haiti two weeks ago.
-God I don’t have the money for this.
– Do you trust me Liz? Didn’t I provide for the Race?
-God what if I am tired after the Race? I’m not good at hiking.
– Do you trust me to give you rest?
-God what about all that time I could be spending with my family and friends and my pets?
– Do you trust my timing?
-God I don’t want to go alone, what if it’s not safe, and I’m not used to evangelizing without a few teammates to help?
– Have I ever not protected you? Hasn’t the Holy Spirit always given you the words you needed?
And then He gave me what I was still asking for. I felt called to read Joshua- I’ve never read Joshua before and to be honest I didn’t really know what stories were in it. But Joshua 1 hit me like a wave of reassurance straight from the Lord.
“I promise you what I promised Moses. Wherever you set foot you will be on land I have given you… No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous…. This is my command be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go…. Be strong and courageous.”
Courageous was what I promised God I would be when I launched back in August, and He is holding me to my promise.
Okay God I trust you.
When I get back from the Race I will head out to my brother’s wedding in Australia. We fly back on July 5th. The date is set. I fly out to Paris on the 7th, and when I arrive on the 8th I will take the train down to St. Jean Pied de Porte where the Camino starts. I will spend the 9th resting to adjust to the time change, and on the 10th I will officially start my hike. I don’t have a ton of plans for the in between. The research ( and I’ve been researching for awhile now) has said that reservations in advance are a bad idea because you may want to spend more time hiking a certain area or drop or pick up the pace. For me- this is going to be entirely Spirit lead. I will go at the pace the Lord drives me to, sleep where He leads me to sleep, and share the Gospel boldly when I feel the prompting. On the 21st I fly back to Paris and on the 22nd I fly back to the States for Project Search Light- World Race’s debrief/ re- entry program.
And that’s month 12. Just me and God out telling people the Good News.
As I mentioned before. I am relying on God for provision for this trip. The transport to and from and within Europe is 1,500 dollars, and food and lodging is 5-600 dollars for the 2 weeks.
So I am reaching out asking for partners again as I trust Him again to provide. I want to thank everyone who donated or prayed and has been a partner for these 11 months, and I ask that you will prayerfully consider being a partner with me in month 12.
Donations are being accepted through GoFundMe.Click here to donate and be a part of spreading the Gospel around the World!
