Everyone! I just wanted to thank every single person who has donated so far. I love each one of you so much. Thanks for listening to the Lord. This week, I’m officially a third of the way funded for my trip! Woohoo!
Back in October, I was accepted to go on a 9-month mission trip, traveling to Guatemala, Ecuador, and Nepal. I committed, fully ready to abandon everything I’ve ever known to go learn how to love people better. I met my squad, we talked and joked over the phone, and I have been growing in my excitement to see them in person since the day I saw their names on the screen.
Then my plans were changed.
In March, this pandemic called Covid-19 began to run rampant within the streets of the U.S. I was quite skeptical at first because I thought it was just another scare. I can tell you now, it wasn’t. It is quite real.
But, back in April, a month after Covid-19 hit, Costa Rica was added to my squad’s route! What a blessing. It seemed as though this virus was bringing GOOD things. Now, we didn’t only have the chance to go to 3 countries, but 4! I was even more excited because usually Costa Rica means surfing and coconuts in addition to beautiful ministry. Although, it did balance out when training camp was pushed back from July to September. Now I won’t get to meet my squad for another 5 months… and I was sad. But! Chin up, kid. Now you get to experience a whole new country with the people you’re growing to love. And what are two more months?
Then, my plans got canceled.
Last week, my squad received an email. The World Race leadership was forced to move to their contingency plan for all World Racers. Our squad knew about it, but so many of us (including me) had intense levels of confidence that we would not need it! I mean, why on Earth would the Lord cancel something as good as the Race?
To be honest with you, when I heard that “We’re excited to move forward with our contingency plan”, I was not deceived by the tone of the email. I was really sad. I set my heart on leaving for Guatemala in September. When I committed to the Race, I held my expectations that it would be EXACTLY what it said it would be. When those expectations were let down, I was disappointed.
I learned that my squad, and all of the other squads, are going to be participating in the first-ever 4-month missional training school in Gainsville, GA before we launch for the race this coming January. Covid-19 has not allowed the international borders to be opened up for most countries yet, and travel just is not safe enough for us to go.
There, my squad will now have the opportunity to be trained in missional living, leadership development, and discipleship. IN AMERICA. The World Race leadership, who I am growing to love dearly (this patchy rollercoaster ride has NOT been easy on them either), is going to teach us to minister to Americans. Because believe it or not, America is pretty broken too.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m still kind of sad that the World Race is not going to be what I thought it was. But, and this is so so important, what I didn’t realize is that when I committed to the World Race, I wasn’t committing to a program, but I was yielding to the plan that the Father had for me. The World Race is simply a foundation for which the Lord is going to work to do great things. Whether that be halfway across the world, or halfway down the East Coast.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul speaks to the church in Corinth helping them to understand that Paul is not calling the church to follow him, but Paul is calling the church to follow the one who he is basing his life upon; Jesus. Paul explains that he is not the one to bring growth, but he just simply creates the room for it. He says this:
” 5 What then is Apollos (one of Paul’s fellow apostles)? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed (Jesus), as the Lord assigned to each.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.“
I committed to the Race expecting this program to bring growth. But what I did not understand is that growth was NEVER theirs to give. Growth only can come from knowing Jesus.
He is teaching me how to hold my life with open hands. Because when I gave my life to the Lord, I GAVE MY LIFE TO THE LORD. It is not mine to control anymore; I told Jesus he could have it. That means trusting change, and because I have the Spirit of the Father within me, I know that the change he brings is good. Faithfully, He leads me through the plans he has intentionally laid out.
God never intended for me to trust in anything else but him. I had put my trust in the World Race, and I was led into a pool disappointment and frustration. I might not get to snag a wild coconut, and I might not learn how to rip on the water. The Father says that if we put our hope and trust in him, we will never be put to shame.
So, big news. America was added to our route.
And I’m stoked.
-Elijah
