This Friday (May 19th), I will be heading to World Race Training Camp. It's an 8 day adventure where I get to meet my squad, find out who my team is, and prepare in every kind of way for the Race. This is when the Race gets real. From some past World Racers, I've heard this was the hardest part of their Race. We're expected to come into training camp with an open mind and no expectations because they literally don't tell us anything. All I know is that it will be extremely challenging in every way (spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, etc.).
To be honest friends, I don't like this at all. I hate this cloud of uncertainty that is hanging over my head right now. I'm really and truly stepping into this next chapter of my life. I am so excited for all that God has in store but right now is when reality is really setting in.
I am reminded of Psalm 23 in this time.
"The Lord is my shepard; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."
We've all heard that Psalm many times before, but certain parts really stick out to me. The part that says "He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name". He isn't bringing me along the "easy" path, the "fun" path, the "happy" path. No, the right path. He created all that has happened and all that will happened and created every part of me, and He is leading me down the right path. My tiny, human mind might not understand that path He is taking me on, but I can trust the He is guiding me along the right path. And all for the honor of HIS name. Not mine. Ally Blackwell will not be honored by this "right path", God will be. That is the only reason I am alive and the only reason I'm even brought to this place of such unknown.
This Psalm also says that through the darkest valley, He will be beside. I am in no way saying that this is the "darkest valley" in my life, but if He promises to be beside me at the darkest time in my life, I can also trust Him to be beside me during this time.
So, here is what I'm asking you. It is simply to pray for me as I prepare and experience Training Camp. I am feeling so very inadaquate right now, which is a beautiful place to be. When we come to the end of what we know and what we know we can do, that's the most amazing way to see who God is. Please pray that during this time, that distractions of fear and insecurities are taken away and I seek to know God more during Camp. Please pray that I don't come in to Training Camp with my gaurd up, but rather my walls down and ready and willing to be changed and used by the Lord. Please pray that I step into training camp free from snap judgements and stereotypes. I want to have an open mind and heart with everyone I come in contact with, not full of ideas of who they are and what they think.
By praying for me in this time, you are partnering with me in the journey. You are a part of what God is doing and will be doing in the Nations. We so often speak of prayer flippantly, but it's a huge deal that must be taken seriously.
Also please pray for how God would like for you to give financially! I must raise $6,500 by June 16th to be able to leave in July and $15,500 total.
I began thinking about how big $15,500 sounds and how easy it is for a college student or someone who is not doing well financially to say they can't give much so they might as well not give at all. I am here to tell you that this could not be further from the truth. I am asking you to give $10. Yes, $10. This may mean skipping Starkbucks twice this month, or not going out to eat for dinner this week. But those $10 will instead be used to show hope and love to someone who may have never experienced love like you've known. It is used to bring Christ to people that are trapped in bondage and hopeless. That $10 could be used to change a lives for all of eternity!
I am asking you to stretch. I'm asking you to make a sacrifice you might not want to make. Or maybe you're thinking you simply can't make donate right now. I dare you to trust God. I dare you to lean on Him and see Him show up in the most unexpected ways.
An idea I thought about is if 100 people give $10 a month starting this month until December of this year ($80 over 8 months), $8,000 will be raised! And we think $10 doesn't matter? That's what happens when the body of Christ comes together and takes the Great Commission seriously! You can easily sign up for a monthly donation on the left side of the screen on the link that says "Support Me!". It will walk you through how much you want to give and then you press monthly donation and you will give your debit/credit card information. If you cannot give monthly, or you would like to give more, every donation is welcome and SOOOO appreciated! I simply ask you to give what you are called to give. Pray about it!
When you pray and donate, you are doing this with me. It's not just Ally Blackwell doing the World Race, it's YOU!!!!
Thank you for doing this with me! Every prayer and donation is appreciated more than I can describe!
