I will be back in the United States in less than two months, 5 weeks, 36 days! Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. Amongst the many questions that I get asked about the Race are questions about my post-Race plans. “Your year sounds like it was amazing. So much has changed in your life. What do you plan to do next?”
So glad you asked. Well…
Last November in Lebanon, we were spending a Friday night at a local church service. While the pastor was leading the congregation in prayer, he encouraged us to begin praying for our futures and for our lives through the lens of Christ’s redemptive and healing power. As I began to pray, I asked the Lord to take me and lead me wherever He wanted to. “I am available, Lord! I would stay here in Lebanon! I will work with refugees! I am willing and ready to go where you will take me! I am ready to go anywhere in the world and work as an occupational therapist internationally. I will stay out in the field with you God”. As I continued to pray, the Lord began to give me vision for my life in the future…a life in the States. “Hmmm okay Lord, cool. Not what I expected, but I’m here for it”, I thought to myself. I saw myself living in the United States close to my family. I saw myself practicing pediatric OT in the homes of families in vulnerable communities, while singing joyful songs over my kids. I saw my entire therapy practice transformed by sharing and living the gospel alongside my patients and families in their homes and communities. I saw myself around a large, round table, hosting people and enjoying authentic community. This is a future I want, but did not expect yet. Praying and preparing for moving home began.
So imagine my surprise when I was asked to return to the field in August to lead a team for the first leg of their World Race. I will be honest, I instantly felt extremely honored, but still thought “No, thanks!” When I brought it to the Lord I said, “Wow Lord, Your dreams for me are always much bigger than the ones that I have for myself. That is so great, but I’m not going to do it. I have other cool plans that have grown in my heart”. And so, I quietly sat with my “No” for a few weeks, putting off praying about it and holding onto both my legitimate reasons, as well as my fears. Mind you, this was all occurring in the middle of my time in Moria refugee camp. As I’ve shared in a previous blog, my heart and mind were occupied with the heaviness of that place daily. So you can only imagine my even GREATER surprise when I felt the Lord was ACTUALLY offering me the invitation and allowing me peace and freedom to say, “Yes!” Yes to seeking intimacy and deeper relationship with Him (no matter what country I live in). Yes to new opportunities to love people. Yes to building new relationships and cultivating authentic community. Yes to encouraging and edifying the Body. Yes to partnering with new ministries. Yes to serving. Yes to team leading.
In these moments Jesus is casting out my fears and holding my future. My desire is to continue to run my race with Him well, no matter what exciting and unexpected turns are in the route.
I will be launching again in August with X Squad, heading to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi before heading back to the States in November! Thank you for praying for me and supporting me throughout this year! The World Race is more than a mission trip. This is an opportunity to join in on the work God is already doing all over the world, and to be further stretched and developed as a disciple of Christ. If you desire to partner with me financially, you can donate directly through the “Donate!” link above. You can also donate by mail with a tax-deductible contribution to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Be sure to indicate that it is for Joelle Urquhart!
Your support is the road to bring me there!
