We as a squad were told that we had a certain amount of freedom when it came to our route. If felt led by the Holy Spirit, we could submit a proposal to go where we believed we were being called. At the time I was so in awe and overwhelmed at the list of countries on my route, I did not give a change a second thought.
Fast forward to a few weeks before I am leaving for Spain and I am setting up an account at my local bank. I am asked to write down a list of countries I am going to so they don’t suspect fraud and I asked them what if I had a possible route change? (I had then began to think about the possibilities and the region of the world I would be in…) I write down my 13 countries and then I added two countries to the list “just incase.” I added Greece and Egypt. I have wanted to visit Greece for many years. A doctor I worked with showed pictures of his homeland and told stories of Greece, and I was hooked. Something I have learned since walking with Christ is that my dreams are so small compared to what He can do with them when handed over. So, I handed over Greece and Egypt.
The first time Greece was proposed to me was in August, a few days before we left for Spain and I gave my “yes,” but the time was not right for the squad and others who also wanted to go to Greece. The second time I gave my “yes” for Greece was a month later in North Africa. Again, it was not the right time. Flying from North Africa we had a large layover in Greece. I thought, “Not really what I had in mind for Greece, Jesus.” I heard, “Wait”. The third time I gave my “Yes” for Greece was while in Jordan. Taylor made the third push for a change in route and this time, it was the right time. We couldn’t believe it was finally happening! The team and people wanting to go needed to raise an extra amount of money to purchase new airline tickets and other accommodations. The time frame the team was given to raise the extra money was about fourteen days and I had my portion within one day. Whoa, it is really REALLY happening.
My team (squad leaders) sat down to pray about the logistics of the Greece team. I told God that I knew it was meant for me if myself and the three other teammates heard my name. Well, we didn’t hear my name. I was crushed, like little-girl-on-aisle-three-not-getting-her-way crushed. I am told though by my team, Taylor, and other leadership that I can still go. But am I supposed to?
I spent a few days in prayer and brought others in to pray with me. I’ll spare you the back and forth but ultimately Alysa (Alumni squad leader) hears, “Go where I have called you.” As she finished saying those words, I knew it meant the route I am on. No additions and no changes.
We as a team prayed for the guidance in letting others on the squad go to Greece and my friend turns to me and says, “The Father is so proud of you for being obedient and not going to Greece.” Had I chosen to only look at what I would have considered “signs,” I would have missed His will. Had I not sought the counsel of those hearing from Him around me, I would have missed His will.
The lesson I learned in this is to really pursue the Father and His will for me no matter what it looks like in front of me. Every door open, basically a hallway, I could have run through to finally get to Greece and serve but I am not meant to at this time. Now I am in Armenia with the sweet ladies of Chosen to Reveal and getting to see the Father pursue them and the people of this country.
