“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) God placed this verse on my heart and out of obedience I said YES TO THE WORLD RACE.
I’m so thankful for the peace that he has given me in going on this trip. In bible study this past semester, Kris Vallotton said at one point that what you are called to is what you love but also what you are most terrified of. I love traveling and adventure and being able to experience God among his creation. I also love showing people the real gospel and seeing them encounter the REAL GOSPEL. It also terrifies me to go on this trip. To leave everything that is known and safe and comfortable. To leave people and possibilities here.
Why I’m terrified: (None of this is justified in scripture or the nature of God)
- 11 months away from loved ones
- Missing big events in others’ lives
- Leaving my current relationship for a year
- Raising almost 18,000 dollars
- The possibility of being in serious pain, with my back, for 11 months
Why I am SO EXCITED:
- I get to be discipled and get to disciple just as Jesus did. Jesus discipled differently than what we are used to. He didn’t use seminaries and other schooling, although both are good things. He just walked with his disciples. He did life with them. Experience was his form of discipleship.
- I get to spend time and grow deeper with an amazing team.
- I get to travel! I love love LOVE traveling. I get to explore new places God created. I really do love worshipping among nature and the beautiful places God created. Did you know God held ALL OF THE WATERS IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND???? “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12) And can literally fit the WHOLE UNIVERSE BETWEEN HIS THUMB AND PINKY FINGER. And HAS A SCALE BIG ENOUGH TO WEIGH ALL THE MOUNTAINS EVER. His glorious wisdom is revealed in creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) Creation declares his glory. He also placed every star and if they were ANY closer or farther apart, our orbit would be affected.
- I know that the only reason God would lead me to go on this trip is to know him more deeply. I want to come back with amazing stories, of the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, limbs growing, food multiplying, and the dead being raised. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING I just want Him. Those are fruit from knowing him and obeying him though right? I think we spend so much time reading His word and studying His word sometimes that we forget to DO his word. I want a DEEPER friendship with the Holy Spirit. As someone once told me, intimacy with the Holy Spirit will unlock secrets to new dimensions.
- The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) I pray that my story along this journey calls into existence your story and your destiny. We all have a book of destiny written in Heaven that is full of what God wants to fulfill in and through us. Each day we have a new assignment. Pray with me that my team and I help each of these people we minister to walk into THEIR destiny. I have this vision of nations being discipled until they reflect a kingdom culture. People from all different nations loving one another, laying their lives down for one another. I believe that what we envision will become. Will you envision this with me? Join me in setting our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2). When the world tells us to settle and to get comfortable and make lots of money and be successful and be safe and the world is a messed up place that can’t be fixed, Jesus showed us a different life. To know Jesus, you have to learn how to leave. No matter the cost. Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Living a kingdom life is about giving up control, which I need to be reminded of frequently. If we don’t get outside our comfort zones, we can’t grow into the places God has prepared for us.
- I get to speak life into people! I get to tell them about Jesus. I get to show them who they are and who God is. I want to find the goodness in each person I meet.
Please pray for me as I begin this 2-year journey of experiencing God’s financial provision, as well as the actual mission trip. Pray about supporting me as a monthly partner. If you don’t feel led to give or if you do feel led to give and would still like to know ways you can pray for me, I have two big prayer requests: I have a back disease that I am praying for complete healing before I leave for the world race. The pain can get pretty bad sometimes so I am praying for complete healing! I also pray for more of the Holy Spirit, for baptism of the Holy Spirit!
I want this blog to be about inspiring unity and destiny and callings and not disagreeing about what and why people do what they do. That we can all show kindness to others and one another. “Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. In the slums we are the light of God’s kindness to the poor. To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely, give always a happy smile- give them not only your care, but also your heart.” – Mother Teresa
