I have wrestled
And I have trembled toward surrender
Chased my heart adrift
And drifted home again
Wow wow wow. This week has felt like a hurricane hit my life and shook everything that could be shaken. I’ve been listening to those lyrics over and over because they just describe everything I have walked through this week.
On Monday August 3rd, my team and I each received an email that we’d been anticipating regarding our October 2020 World Race. I was expecting this email to explain that we couldn’t launch as normal in October, and detail what we’d be doing instead. Alternatively, I was given 3 options to choose from and as I read them my heart started to sink because I knew this meant my team would be getting split up. I wasn’t ready for that.
The three options we were given are as follows:
- Launch in October 2020 but stay stateside doing ministry until international travel opens back up (hopefully by January 2021).
- Defer to one of the January 2021 routes
- Defer to one of the August 2021 routes
Weighing all the information and the pros/cons of each choice while also listening to the Lord’s leading has really challenged me this last week. After a lot of prayer and processing, I took some time to completely take my mind off of the situation and just give my brain a break. After that break I felt like I was able to come back to it with a clear head and I asked God for some scriptures to stand on regarding my world race. What he gave me aligned so perfectly with things he spoke to me over a year ago when I first was applying, as well as words he has given me throughout the last year.
So it is with great excitement and confidence and joy that I can say I have officially committed to the January 2021 classic route!! This route will take my new team and I to Central America, Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and Southern Africa. (But of course locations are subject to change depending on safety as well as what countries are open for international travel.) Plus, a few of my teammates from my original squad have chosen this route too, so I will get to be with some of them! I have such peace regarding this decision, and I am thrilled to partner with God in this adventure.
Thank you all so much for your love and support. I am really excited to continue sharing with you all more information as I find it out.
Much Love,
Laina
