When I reflect back on what God has taught me these last 4-5 months preparing and fundraising for this mission trip, words can’t even describe how mind-blown I am with experiencing His unfailing love and seeing His supernatural provision take place on another level.
Yes, I thought I already personally knew God and I knew how good He was to me. I’ve seen Him move mountains and I thought we were already close, but I didn’t know that there is so much more to learn about Him, His heart, and His character. I feel like I’m just getting a taste of His love and there is so much more to unpack and learn. Regardless of how long we’ve had a personal relationship with God, He always makes space and room for us to get closer to Him because He simply just wants more of us. As crazy as it sounds, He just loves us that much and He makes me feel like He’s someone I’m getting to know and I’m falling in love with Him more and more as I learn more about Him.
He makes me realize that He’s a man of His word. He keeps His promises and He’s forever faithful. God is not a man, that He should lie (Numbers 23:19) and He has shown me that He comes through when He tells you He will. (For those of you doubting Him, please don’t believe those lies!)
As I’m currently sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to take off for our first country – Chile, I still can’t believe I am about to go to 11 different countries this next year and share the love He has personally shared with me. Sometime last year, He told me I was going to do missionary work and live internationally and look where I’m at now! When I was struggling to find work for several months, He promised He would provide a job before my apartment lease was up and He did! When I got into a very, unhealthy relationship and felt stuck, He took me out of that pit and redeemed me!
Now after being accepted on this race, He promised me He would provide $18,017 before I go and I am now basically 97% to being fully funded! Wow, isn’t that amazing?! Not only that, but He has exceeded my expectations and needs. He provided donations before I even got accepted, touching people’s hearts I don’t even know and receiving ridiculous amount of anonymous donations, getting gifts from amazing friends and family such as a laptop, gopro camera, new iphone, camping equipment, just because He knew exactly what I needed for this journey! (Thanks a bunch, y’all know who you are!).
Man, the list goes on and on for what I am grateful and thankful for but what I learned the most about God during this preparation is that His unfailing love doesn’t amount to any man’s love here on earth. As crazy as it sounds, I’m seriously experiencing heaven on earth and I haven’t even left yet. He’s not only provided monetary gifts, but the emotional, mental, and spiritual support that I have been getting from my family and friends have been overwhelmingly humbling. Who would’ve ever thought my family would be on a journey of fire with me?! Friends I haven’t spoken to for years are being inspired and encouraged just as much as I’m being encouraged by them.
God, what did I do to deserve all of this? And then He says, “Because I simply love you. That’s it, plain and simple. You have no idea what’s in store. Just keep listening to My voice and walk in My obedience. ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what I have prepared to those who love Me’ (1 Corinthians 2:9)”
For those of you wondering how I’m feeling right now as we’re waiting to board the plane to our first country, one of our worship leaders demonstrated a perfect example: It’s like me standing in front of a door peeking through a key hole, getting a glimpse of the beauty on what’s on the other side of that door. And as we are about to get on this flight and arrive in Chile, that door will open up and I will experience more of God’s love, God’s power, God’s provision, and miracles in ways I have never experienced before!
This is just a foretaste for what’s to come! I can’t wait to share this with you all and I hope you get to feel His love through my journey as well! Thank you for all of the support, encouragement, donations, prayer, and love!!! I am forever grateful for all of you! See ya in Chile!!
