(I wrote this blog and posted it on my newer blog page, postonce.wordpress.com, a week or so ago. However for the next few months I will be posting on both of them, so I wanted to update this blog with my life!)
This fall I will lead an all girl’s trip to Thailand for three months! It is a trip for 18-22 year olds and there will be from 7-20 of them! I am beyond excited and God has so perfectly “ordained the steps”.
Here is the background story…
It all started last August while I was in Uganda. During that month I prayed for the Lord to begin giving me direction for post-race (December 2013). I am the type that does not often have any direction or dream until the Lord gives one. So at the time I had NO idea what gifting’s I had or what passion’s I had! Crazy? Huh? For weeks I had been worrying a little without any direction. But again, I prayed that God would by the end of ‘month 8’ reveal the gifting’s and passion’s he has given me. It was our last few days of month 8 and God, of course, gave them to me. They consisted of:
Gifting’s-planning, coordinating, multi-tasking, productivity
Passion’s-discipleship, prayer and speaking
Since I was a child I have felt called to international missions. After being abroad for a year, I questioned if I actually wanted to be abroad full-time, but rather to use my talents in planning and coordinating to support those who are.
I felt a call to Samaritan’s Purse and it made much sense to have a job where I would offer support in doing more administrative tasks (planning, coordinating) for those on the field. After a persistent pursuit, I started an associate position at SP. It has been an incredible experience. It gave me the opportunity to step into the world of international ministry as an employer and it brought me to a new level to discern and solidify where I believe God is calling.
God continued to confirm the desires to plan, coordinate, multi-task, produce, disciple, pray and speak. Those passions coupled with the pursuit to work in support of missionaries brought about a “dream” for my life.
I studied social work in college and have always thought about getting a Masters in Christian Counseling. I have always desired the skills those professions utilize, but have not desired to be a ‘social worker’ or ‘Christian counselor’. The dream, if you will, would be to bring practical and spiritual care to missionaries on the field.
At times missionaries like all of us trying to serve, can face various problems and conflicts, such as: lack of unity, disconnect with those in which they are ministering, lack of efficiency, or effectiveness. Spiritually they can grow weary, discouraged or alone. They tend to see and experience a lot of heavy and difficult things. I desire to be that counselor who goes to them to offer training in the practical and discipleship in the spiritual. It would take the planning and coordinating of the travel and material. It would be give me an avenue to pray, speak and disciple.
…But what does that have to do with this Thailand trip you might ask?
Here is the more current story…
So, I had some direction now; but I did not have a plan. My current position at Samaritan’s Purse ends at the end of July and so does my lease. I had thought and hoped something would work out to continue at Samaritan’s Purse. I had been working with a lady and talked about continuing with her in more of the type of work I desire.
However, I had so much peace about not having a plan and not making a plan. The thought of planning anything actually made me anxious; I did not want to be hasty. I had researched other options, but did not feel God leading me to anything else, yet. The thought of staying at SP seemed fitting, but part of me felt as if God had something that he had not yet revealed.
I decided to finally speak with my boss about where I was; letting her know I was not applying elsewhere and was still hopeful to stay at Samaritan’s Purse. That evening I requested information at LibertyOnline for their Master’s program and they immediately called and did my application on the phone.
So I am fired up. I had a great talk with my boss, I had applied to get my master’s and found out I could be done in 18 months! I guess I figured it was time to start making plans.
Fortunately, that SAME day, God gave me HIS plan.
What God initially spoke so clearly and randomly was to squad lead a world race squad. I fought the Lord about it the first night and the next couple of days my heart had completely changed. I no longer wanted to stay at SP or get my Master’s yet, but I wanted to lead this trip. God continued to confirm it in so many ways over the next week.
After going through the application process I was actually referred to lead a Passport trip. I felt so confirmed that I had heard the Lord speak and this was where he was leading, that I had to trust that maybe applying to squad lead was the avenue to the passport trip.
Important note: I have never been to Thailand, but ever since returning from the race in December, it is the ONLY place I want to go. I dream about it during the night and think about it during the day. The desire is so strong and without reason that it must be from the Lord.
So to recap some things; I feel called to plan, train, disciple missionaries. I feel a tug for Thailand. I have no job and no housing after July. I felt God had something else. The day I start moving, God starts directing.
So to finish the story…
So I looked into the passport trips, which I was not very familiar. I saw there were trips September through November, 3 months, in one country. I saw one of those trips was to Thailand. I sent an email and said I feel led to lead, but not just to lead, but to lead the Thailand trip. I got an offer back the next day to lead the Thailand trip this fall!
Why Passport is more fit for ME than WR leading.
1. It is all girls.
2. They are all younger than me.
3. It is a smaller group.
4. It is in Thailand, the only place I desire to go. And I get to be there for three months!
5. I will be home for Christmas.
6. I could still start my getting my Master’s in January.
7. I can get the experience in the work I desire to do, before I do buckle down in school.
8. It is less money to support raise.
So bottom line____God is so faithful and so intentional and so good! I though WR leading would be perfect, but he knew what was perfect and has guided me there!
Thank you for reading!
Please keep us in your prayers! You can pray specifically for:
-The people we will be ministering to.
-The girls on the team for: health, unity, growth, boldness, freedom…
-For me to listen well and push into areas of growth
-For our families who can tend to worry
