Hey guys! I just realized it has been over four months since I wrote my last blog…time is sure flying in quarantine! I just wanted to take the time and update you all on the status of my mission trip. I have been getting question after question during this time of uncertainty, so hopefully this answers some of those. If you still have questions, feel free to contact me privately or leave a comment!
So, to start, I am over 87% funded!!! I cannot thank you all enough for your support. Our first deadline is coming up, and thanks to you guys I am not scrambling to meet it. That being said, I still have a little over $2,000 left to raise until I am fully funded, so keep an eye out for more fundraisers coming up! I had a few planned that I had to postpone, so hopefully things clear up and I am able to make those happen soon.
Obviously, one of the most common questions I have been asked regarding my trip is if it is still happening. To put it simply, YES. There have been a few changes made, and there may be more as circumstances surrounding Covid-19 continue to change. But as of right now, my trip is still on.
In July, my squad was supposed to have training camp (my squad is the group of about 40 other young adults that I will be traveling with). Training camp is a 10-day event where we go to Atlanta, Georgia and prepare, spiritually and physically, for our trip. We were then supposed to officially leave on September 1st. This has been shifted around a bit. We will now have training camp September 5-16, and then depart for the field immediately afterwards. We are still planning on returning at the end of May 2021.
Adventures in Missions does have a few backup plans if it is not safe for us to travel in September, but I am going to hold off on sharing those unless I have to. But I am going to say that the odds of our trip getting cancelled completely are very, very slim. Even if it is, I can use the funds I have raised to go next year instead, and that would be the plan. So I will still be fundraising, and would love to have your continued support if you are able.
I know it is easy to question God and His plan during all of this. There are so many unknowns, and if you’re a planner like me, you know how hard it is to accept that. But God is more powerful than the unknowns. He is more powerful than Corona, than any sickness. He is more powerful than our greatest fears or doubts, and He can settle them if we only ask.
Being a senior this year, a lot of my plans have already been thrown out the window. I wasn’t able to go to prom, to struggle through spring semester finals, or finally celebrate when we made it through it all. I’m missing my friends like crazy, and can’t wait for the day when we can resume our movie marathons and jam sessions in the car. This has been hard on everyone, and I’ve questioned God numerous times on why He would allow this. And while He hasn’t given me a set answer, He has placed one word on my heart repeatedly – trust.
So I will be trusting that God has a reason for all of this. I trust that my mission trip will go on as planned, and if it doesn’t, I trust His choice to alter it. I’m fully placing my trust in Him. It’s hard, especially now, but I’m saying it. I surrender to you, Jesus. You are good, and I give you my life.
One song has been playing on repeat for me lately, and that is “Give Me Faith” by Elevation Worship. Before I wrap this up, I would like to share a few of my favorite lyrics, and encourage you guys to listen to the whole song.
All I am, I surrender
Give me faith to trust what you say
That you’re good and your love is great
I’m broken inside, I give you my life
‘Cause I may be weak
But Your spirit strong in me
My flesh may fail
My God you never will
As we prepare to start this next week, I pray that you all can surrender your fears and doubts to God. We are all in this together, taking it day by day. We may not know what lies ahead, but He does. He has this all under control, and we just need to have a little faith.
