“For too long, the bondage of debt has consumed my life and it’s time for me to break free. I’ll honestly admit, one of the reasons for me going on this World Race journey was for a fresh start and to correct the last ten years of my life, but sometimes we can’t run from our problems, we have to face them head on.”-Excerpt from my blog entitled “Delayed But Not Denied” dated 01/12/2018
rameshahaskins.theworldrace.org
Facing and dealing with your issues isn’t always the easiest thing to do. It requires you to search deep within your heart and to get down to the root cause of the issue(s) at hand. For me, it took a lot of soul searching, self reflection and hard core honesty with self. Pushing back the World Race was by far an easy task, but one thing that I’ve come to understand is that no trial or setback in your life is wasted, for they only prepare for you for the amazing comeback and blessing that the Father has in store for you.
Shortly after pushing back the race, I received a message from a good friend, who was working her first year as a School Counselor in the Middle East, to inform me that her school was looking for a Primary Counselor. In her message she stated, “Friend, I know that nothing happens by chance. We’re looking for a Primary Counselor and I would love to recommend you. Besides, this would also be a great way for you to pay off your debt.” So, I took her up on her offer and sent my resume and cover letter to the Head of Schools. About 2 Sundays later, I was sitting in service still numb from the fact that I wasn’t on the World Race, when the Lord spoke to me and said “The reason I didn’t let you take an opportunity over seas before is because you wouldn’t have had the tools necessary to handle your finances correctly,but now you will. Check your email.”
So, I checked my email and it was a message from the Head of Schools asking for my availability to set up an interview within the upcoming weeks.
Rewind to the the first Wednesday of the month of January. I attended Wednesday night service (thinking it was my last until returning home from the race) and Pastor John Gray was beginning his “Speed of..” series. The particular message that night was entitled “The Speed of Purpose.” During the message, he stated that “life is moving at the speed of purpose and things that don’t belong will be blown off of you because it was God’s will for them to leave.” Now looking back at things in hindsight, for me the Lord was referring to the bondage of debt and the heart issue behind it, along with a few other areas.
During the same message, Pastor Gray also stated that “there are some opportunities that you thought were great, but God is saying “that ain’t it” because he’s getting ready to open another door and push you into the speed of purpose.”
As I mentioned above from my blog post, one of the reasons for me going on the World Race was not only going to be an opportunity to serve those all over the world, but a fresh start for me. However, God had other plans. Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to freely give myself to those around the world if I were bound to debt.
Fast forward to the first week of February, I had my Skype interview with the Head of Schools and it went well. It went so well, that the person who he originally offered the position to was asked to reconsider the offer and on top of that the salary range that I said I would accept for the position was exceeded. You can’t tell me that doesn’t have God written all over it! I signed my contract on February 8, 2018 (8 represents new beginnings) and on August 15, 2018 I will be moving to Qatar to work as a Primary School Counselor at an American International School.
You see God needed to teach me not only how to be a better steward of my finances via Financial Peace University, but he had to reveal things in my heart and areas of brokenness in me that needed to be made whole. He needed me to walk in humility, be vulnerable and show my scars so that he could get to me the blessing he had in store for me. He also needed me to fully trust and depend on him to supply my needs, as he opened doors and closed doors for long term counseling substitute positions over the course of this last semester. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11)
The World Race is still a heart’s desire of mine after my 2 year contract is up, but in the event that doesn’t come to pass, I now know that no matter where I go, it is a mission field for me to shine his love and light to those I come into contact with. In regards to the funds that were raised, it all went to the Adventures In Missions organization. In the event that the opportunity is granted again, I will have to apply for a scholarship of the amount that was remaining and fundraise from that point. The good thing is that your resources are still being used to make a difference in the kingdom all over the world via the racers that are currently out on the field.
God Did It!! I’m finally pursuing a dream of mine to live and work abroad and most importantly, pay off debt!
I would like to personally THANK YOU for your unconditional love, support and prayers over the course of these last 6 months. You are greatly appreciated!
-xoxo,
Ramesha Nicole
“Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed.”-Luke 8:48(MSG)
