This is a blog I wrote a few days ago, before learning that I was going to Albania. Enjoy and thank God for when he replaces your plans with something better, over and over and over and over again.
“God answers prayers in three ways:
yes, no, and wait.”
~Sunday School teachers, Christian magazines, and inspirational Pinterest boards everywhere
“YES.”
When I first signed up for the World Race in early 2013, I thought God was saying yes to some exciting things, namely, some amazing countries I would travel to. I thought God was saying yes to Ireland in particular. Going to Ireland after living in sweaty, difficult, strange places like India and Swaziland would be a welcome respite. In fact, I received the phone call that I was accepted to the Race while my mom and I were hiking in Ireland! It was a sign: in a few months, I would return to this glorious, green country of beer and butter and sheep and stone circles to serve Jesus there.
“NO.”
When I got to training camp in October 2013, I learned that God actually was saying no to Ireland. I stood at the edge of B Squad and told Bill Swan I would be switching to C Squad and felt my plans slip away and was ushered into that other room full of people wearing purple shirts. I learned that I couldn’t hold on so tightly to my own plans and that God didn’t care if I wanted to go to certain countries, there was a bigger adventure to be had that couldn’t be tied to that desire.
Over the next year, I learned that God wanted me to be in the C Squad family. I learned that God wanted me to go to Bulgaria and Zambia and Thailand and Guatemala. I learned that God wanted me to be a team leader. I learned that God wanted so many good things for me, and I experienced them all. You all know it was an incredible year. Forget those other countries I used to want. My love for C Squad and “our” countries outweighed those distant, diluted desires.
“WAIT.”
When I started teaching ESL and directing the school play at my beloved alma mater Mount Rainier Lutheran High, I realized that I love high schoolers. One day a couple months ago, I felt suddenly led to sign up to lead an Ambassador trip, a 2-4 week trip for high schoolers through Adventures in Missions.
Guess what?
Turns out, God was actually saying wait about Ireland. I get to go to Ireland this summer to lead an Ambassador trip!
“I SAID WAIT!”
Turns out, God was IS actually saying wait about Ireland. We’re going to Albania. I have the rare opportunity to go back to one of my ministry sights from the Race and see what our work there has produced! I can help my team pack well and show them the castle on the hill and see some familiar Albanian faces. Praise the Lord.
It doesn’t take much money to do all this: only $1210, which is nothing after last year’s $16,000. To help me get to Albania, click the “Support Me!” button above, choosing “Support a World Racer” from the menu on the next page and following the prompts.
To give to my Guatemala trip, email me at [email protected] to receive mailing instructions. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
