Over the past 14 months, I’ve been living in community, learning about who God is, and who He says I am. I’ve been serving, and sharing the love of Jesus with others around the world through the World Race, a program within Adventures in Missions. It was life-changing, both interpersonally and within the communities I was serving. Now, an incredible opportunity has opened up for me to continue this amazing journey through a program called CGA-Center for Global Action, an Adventures in Missions discipleship training school. I will be moving to Georgia in January to grow deeper in my relationship with God, and develop further as a leader, so that I can thrive in any environment.
The World Race launches hundreds of missionaries between the ages of 18-35 years and the global impact for the Kingdom is tremendous. God moves in some incredible ways in each community, and one of the most significant changes comes within each racer’s heart. Through the process of abandoning what is comfortable and facing our true human brokenness, we become more dependent on God in our lives and we start to truly live out a life of discipleship. On my race, the leadership team was essential in casting vision, facilitating healthy community, and creating opportunities for spiritual growth. Towards the end of my race, God started to stir something in my heart to go back out into the field and disciple another squad of racers the way I was discipled. During my leadership stint this last few months, my passion for creating healthy community and living a life of discipleship has only grown. I feel Him leading me to CGA to refine skills and gain new tools to prepare me for the next season, whatever that may be.
As you can imagine, there are some challenges in transitioning back into life in the U.S.A. and choosing to attend CGA. As they arise, I continue to experience the Lord’s provision and care through friends, family, and friendly locals (story on this below).
I am fundraising $5,950.00 to pay for CGA. As I take this step of faith in trusting the Lord in this new chapter, would you prayerfully consider joining me? I believe you will be encouraged to hear what God is doing through the ministry and how you can partner with me to share the Gospel through prayer and financial support.
A glimpse of my Father providing and protecting His daughter
Soon after arriving to the farm in IL, I began the drive to Arizona to clean out my storage unit and say goodbye to dear friends and family. God blessed me by arranging schedules so that I was able to spend an evening with my college roommate, her husband and meet their precious baby boy. The following evening, I was able to celebrate the engagement of my dear friend from grad school. As if that wasn’t enough goodness for one road trip, three friends from my original world race squad met me in Texas for a day. The following morning, I continued to Midland, Texas and spent the evening with my friend’s mother at a youth night at their church. Each evening was rich in its own way, and I was grateful to spend each night with friends.
My second day in Phoenix, the red glow of my check engine light kicked on, after an uneasy transition from first to second gear. I learned the issue was an expensive one and was strongly encouraged to sell the car for parts and purchase something reliable.
I cried.
I prayed.
I chose to take control of what I could, surrender the unknown, and trust God.
Within a week, I had bought a reliable used car, and sold my car. All of which, would not have been possible without a small village. Friends walked me through how to sell a car, from creating a posting on Craigslist to completing bill of sale form. They helped me search online and went with me to test drive used cars, checking all the things I wouldn’t know to check and teaching me the process along the way. Friends came with me to show my car and picked me up once it sold. Everything was settled in time for me to spend Thanksgiving with family at the ranch.
Looking back, I see God’s hand in the whole journey. I also saw Him in some details.
I cat sat for a friend while in Phoenix. She left a note that said something similar to, Welcome! Eat anything, drive my car, please keep my cat alive. Initially I thought, I must not have communicated that I am driving, not flying. But then God knew what I did not, I would indeed need a car.
Cleaning out my storage unit: Initially, I planned to arrange for a donation center to pick up the large items in my storage unit, but it didn’t work out. I was dreading posting items online due to the flaky nature of pick-ups. Realizing that was my best option, I hesitantly posted the items. Perfectly enough, I had a ‘buyer’ for the free couch and bed lined up Friday evening and Saturday morning. This timeline was crucial due to the positioning of the items in the unit. As pick up time for the couch came and went, my friend and I prayed,
—Please God, let her come and get the couch!!.
She didn’t.
I remember actively choosing to release worry and take control of my thoughts and actions.
Moments later I noticed a couple loading boxes into a white truck. As I approached them, I said, “Hello, would you happen to want a free couch?” Without hesitation, the man responded “yes!”. Within minutes, we were loading the couch into his truck.
That evening, I received a message on my phone. The buyer for the bed, pulled out. Seriously!, I thought. But a day later, a new buyer came along, and before I knew it, I was saying goodbye to the friendly manager of the storage company and driving away from my empty unit.
The Title: My car “sold” before the titled had arrived in Phoenix. It was scheduled to arrive by 8:00 PM on Saturday. I knew that it needed to arrive before 1:30 PM if I was going to be able to get it notarized at a bank. I also knew that the mail didn’t usually arrive until 3:00 PM. I decided to check the mail, at 1:00 (yes, the package was trackable, and no I had not received a notice that it had arrived…but I thought I would check anyway.). The mail was empty, but then I noticed movement out of my peripheral vision. Mailman!! It was the mailman! I raced to the bank only to experience the sweet kindness of a stranger. The notary not only explained the logistics of selling, notarizing the title and providing me with the bill of sale form, she also took time to be excited with me regarding the car, but also my life and this new season.
God is good.
He is faithful.
Life happens and sometimes we don’t see His hand or understand why.
Regardless of the circumstances, His character does not change.
He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I am grateful for the eyes that He gave me to see His hand in providing and guiding me.
I will hold on to this season to remember his faithfulness in times when I find myself stuck in the mire of circumstances that life sometimes brings.
Yours in Christ,
Catherine Read
