I love change. I think of myself as a restless person- someone who doesn’t want to stay in the same place long enough to become completely comfortable. I like to think that this isn’t a bad thing at my age- I want to learn and grow by seeing and experiencing new things. This journey I am about to embark on, I believe, will be a time of real growth and very real experiences that will hopefully help with my restlessness (ya know, since I’ll be moving to a different country every month for 11 months).
I do see the beauty in stillness and unchanging things, though. Praise The Lord I never have to wonder if God’s promises will change tomorrow or the next day. To be able to rest in knowing that He has gone before me and knows how this will all turn out is truly comforting.
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19
I want you to know all about the places I will be visiting and the change that needs to take place in each country. My hope is that you will think about and pray for these countries daily. Although I will not be going until August 2018, God is already working in the hearts and lives of the people that my team and I will get to spend time with while we are overseas.
Here is some background on the 11 countries that your prayerful/financial support will benefit:
Spain: I went on a pilgrimage here the summer before my senior year of high school. When I left, I knew I wanted to return one day! It’s amazing how God is leading me back. Spain is on the Western edge of the only post-Christian continent on the planet. 94% of Spaniards declare themselves Roman Catholic, but only 25% of the nation attends a religious service once a month. I want to share my life-changing faith in a land of tradition and religion.
Morocco: 99% of the population are Sunni Muslim, which means the entire nation lives without the hope of Jesus Christ. This is a culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline and uncanny faith. I long to go and live the power and the presence of the Gospel in a land where it is not welcome.
Jordan: Jordan is considered one of the safest Arab countries in the Middle East. It has historically managed to keep itself away from terrorism and instability. As more and more conflict arises in the middle east, Jordan has been accepting refugees from Palestine and Syria. It has also become a safe haven for thousands of Iraqi Christians fleeing the Islamic State. I want to go and encourage locals and refugees with the love of Jesus Christ.
Israel: Known as the Holy Land for Jews, Christians and Muslims, tens of thousands pilgrimage here each year. Because it is a holy place for many religions, religious and ethnic conflict are common. I want to walk in Jesus’ and the disciple’s footsteps and share peace with a nation that has deep religious history.
Cyprus: Cyprus is know for its Greek Mythology and houses Mount Olympus. The north is being ruled by Turkey and its inhabitants are majority Muslim. The south is an independent nation and many are Greek Orthodox. I want to share the truth of the Gospel and see forgiveness take root to a nation divided.
Georgia: 84% of the population are members of the Georgian Orthodox church, which claims to be founded by the Apostle Andrew. While in Georgia, I will be a part of this nation’s continuing growth as I live and serve in one of the first locations of the early church.
Armenia: Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a religion in AD 301. Hundreds of years later, during WWI, the Ottoman Empire targeted Armenians and systematically murdered 1.5 million of them. This horrific event is known as the Armenian genocide or the Armenian Holocaust. I want to remind the Armenian people of God’s goodness in the oldest Christian nation, which has overcome great oppression.
Kazakhstan: With 70% of its population Muslim and 26% Russian Orthodox, Kazakhstan is a land in need of the Gospel. The term “kazakh” comes from an ancient Turk word meaning, “independent; free spirit” – the perfect description for its horseback, nomadic culture. While in this land of free spirits, I want to share the truth that real freedom comes from dependence on Jesus Christ.
Kyrgyzstan: As a crossroads of ancient civilizations – from the Silk Road to other commercial trade routes – and a land of nomads itself, its people are an almost pristine picture of the great warriors who walked the land centuries ago. The birthplace of Islam for Central Asia, Kyrgyzs consider themselves more cultural Muslims than devout practitioners. I want to share the ancient truth of how God, the ultimate warrior, conquered death so they can live victoriously.
Mongolia: The people of Mongolia are highly independent. They are used to relying on themselves and their immediate communities as they live and travel throughout the land. The majority of the population are either non-religious or Tibetan Buddhist- most have never heard of Jesus. God is calling me to share the Gospel in a land where His name isn’t known.
China: Depending on where we travel, I may meet Buddhists, Muslims and Taoists, but very few Christians. However, the underground church is extensive and continues growing amidst persecution. I want to encourage the long term missionaries in China and share the love of Jesus in a country where His name is not known.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chron. 7:14
