A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet up with three other girls from the October 2011 squad. As we were sitting and talking, we came up with line Cheeky God. We had repeated it numerous times through the day and brought up each of us writing a blog about our "Cheeky God" encounters. Up until now only one of had written such a blog. I wanted to write one as well, but no matter what, none of the stories I had that Saturday seemed to be blog worthy. But now I know why.
The week leading up to training camp, I had a few people bring up the idea of me waiting to go on the Race. Go at a later time. Even before then I had a couple of people bring this up as well. And I'll even admit that that same thought has run through the back of my mind since I was accepted. But I refused to see it as being the correct way. But over that week, I had been waking up with chunks of Hebrews 11:1-12:2 running through me. And added thoughts saying " Go in January. Trust Me. Have faith in Me." I'd turn to Hebrews and still those parts would stick out. And the "Go in January. Trust Me" would be pounding in my brain. But being myself, I would look ahead, thinking about when my lease is up in October, where will I live in January? and things like that- and all I could tell myself was January is not an option. It won't work.
From the start of this journey I said that if He refused to provide financially when I absolutely needed it, then I would know for sure that I was not supposed to go on the race and I would then completely back out of the race. But when the "Go in January. Trust in Me. Have faith in Me" started going through me, I then started praying and asking Him that if January was the route He wants me on then to PLEASE still provide financially for that first deadline for the October Race but to PLEASE make it impossible for me to get to training camp. Less than 12 hours before my first financial deadline to go in October, He provided financially- in amazing ways. The next morning I contacted the person I had planned to drive to Tennessee for training with to figure out all the details so we could leave the next day. I then found out that for certain reasons she would no longer be going and I needed to find alternative transportation to TN. I immediately began searching for the cheapest way to get to TN. Plane was the only way to make it in time. But then I had to find a cheap flight that I could budget it in. At 9:30pm I took a break to pray it over and hear from Him. For the remainder of the night, I was placed in His preparation phase for me- If in the morning I could not get a plane ticket in my budget then I would go in January. The following morning I went online with a peace of mind to go in January. So when I saw that EVERY flight I would've needed to make was either full or canceled- I was OK with it.
So, I am now officially going in January as opposed to the original launch date. Not only are the dates and people now different but the cost of this one is more. And 5 of my countries have changed. My new route is this: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ukraine, Romania, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. And I'm OK with it.
It's Godly interesting though because every time I saw myself on the race, Europe was a part of it. Had I of gone in October, Europe was not at all part of it.
Cheeky, Dad. Cheeky.
Now I am not only on a strengthening cruise for faith in going on the race but also in figuring out living and work arrangements between October and January. But I'm still OK with it because I know that He will provide.
I do believe that I was supposed to apply when I did. But now I know that October was not where He wanted me. It was just another step in leaning on Him and learning that He truly has called me to go on the race.
