God has such a funny way of working. As the race comes to a close you may be wondering what’s next for me. Or perhaps you’re not, but, I’m gonna tell you anyway.
All throughout the race, I waited for God to point out a country or highlight one of my particular ministries. Now they have all been incredible and I have counted it such a blessing to have the opportunity to travel to each new place and serve ministries that are about the Father’s business. But, I didn’t feel any particular pull towards any of them. Honestly, I felt some relief from that. In my head, all I really wanted was to head back to Troy for whatever period of time to rest and recuperate from the race and live a quiet life for a while.
When I was in Nepal, I began to seriously pray and ask the Lord what it was that He had for me next. The only thing He said was to wait. Okay, I can do that. So I waited. In my mind, I was pretty hopeful that this whole “waiting” period would lead me home for a while to getting a job, a car, and a somewhat normal life. But that’s not exactly what God had in mind.
About half-way through my time in El Salvador, I agreed to return to the job I had before the race working at a local coffee shop. I was so excited, and felt peace from the Lord to take the position. Well a few days later, some of my teammates were talking about “alumni team leading”. I had heard little snippets here and there about this, but I was not exactly sure what they were actually talking about. So, I asked.
Basically, an alumni world racer goes back out onto the field to lead a team during their first two months of ministry to help them get settled and sorted on the race. It seemed like a neat idea to me, and something that would be very helpful, but was not something that I wanted to do.
I wrote it off almost immediately. As far as I knew, all the spots were taken, or almost taken, and I already had some plans. But, I felt that familiar poke in my heart and I knew that I needed to at least inquire about it. “This doesn’t mean anything”, I kept telling myself. “I’m just being obedient and asking about it, it doesn’t mean I’m actually doing it”.
Well after a few days of letting it marinate, and finding out there was one spot left, I knew that I was supposed to be the one. Everything in me was in opposition. I was trying to figure out why God would give me the job I really wanted, and then tell me to leave it again in January. I thought I had been obedient by seeing about the position, but I knew that doing that was only part of what God was asking, and ultimately, partial obedience is disobedience.
Even amongst my intermingling thoughts and dramatic emotions, one things was sure in my heart and mind: I have to be obedient to whatever it is that God is calling me to. Even if its not what I want, I cannot walk in deliberate disobedience. It was a very very hard yes for me to make, but its one that I did anyways.
SO, this means that in January, I will be launching with a new squad to lead a team throughout their first two months of ministry! How crazy is that?! God has brought so much peace into my heart since saying yes to Him, and I couldn’t be more excited. I will be with my new team through mid-March. The two countries will be Haiti and The Dominican Republic. I couldn’t be more excited to return to Haiti. I always knew that I would go back there someday, and I’m excited that it gets to be with the World Race.
Thank you so much to those who have supported me in prayer and financially this past year. I cannot wait to come home and share all the things that God has done! I’m asking that you would continue in prayer as I have a brief time at home before leaving again in January. I’m also asking that you would prayerfully consider supporting me financially. God was so faithful to provide of this trip and I know that He will do it again.
Much love,
Naomi
