As most of you know, I have been planning on going to the Philippines, Albania, and South Africa with the World Race. When I applied, I had the choice between Route 1, the countries listed above, and Route 2, which consisted of three different countries. It took me no thought to know that the first route would be my pick. These countries seemed much more interesting to me than those in Route 2, so I began filling out an application for August Route 1. I was accepted, added to Facebook groups and group messages, made t-shirts with the three countries labeled, spoke in front of my church about these places, and told everyone I knew about which countries I would be visiting. I did some research on these places, and was beyond excited to know that soon I would actually be there.
However, I believe the Lord had another plan for me. One morning I received a call saying that Route 1 had gotten too full, that they had just now realized it, and that they would be moving all of my information over to the new group, Route 2. Although it had been months after my acceptance, I was one of the last four added to the group, therefore I was one of the first to be switched.
It made no sense to me. How could they just now figure this out? Why would they wait until I began to feel comfortable with these people, and after I got so excited about where I would be traveling? I was so angry, confused, and upset. I asked over and over why this would happen to me. The only thing she could say was that God had a different plan for me. I wasn’t suppose to go to places I wanted to go, I was suppose to go where God wanted me. I should of asked God which route I needed to be on, and which places needed my help the most. Instead, I picked based off of which ones looked pretty and interesting. As much as I didn’t want to accept this reality, I knew that it was all apart of the Lord’s plan to switch me to these new places.
The next day I received another call saying a spot opened up in Route 1, and that it was now my choice; staying with my original group, or switching to Route 2. I decided to move forward with my new route, despite all of my negative thoughts at first. I am so excited to get to know my new teammates, and learn all about the countries I will now be visiting when I go to training camp in a few days. I will still be leaving at the same time as before, except I will now be traveling to Guatemala, Lesotho, and Cambodia. I am so excited to see what is in store for me this next year! I will soon be at training camp, where I will be able to meet all of my new teammates, and learn more about how I will be serving next year in these countries that are in much need to help.
