Five months ago I walked into Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. with my backpack weighing heavily upon my shoulders and the thought of leaving home weighing heavily upon my heart. Anxiously I stood in line to board the plane with a feeling in my chest reminiscent of the butterflies I felt during my first kiss. I was taking the first step on a journey that would lead me closer to God, but very far from home.
While accessing the pros and cons of leaving on the race, I was frantically glancing around the cabin hoping to find a “chicken’s exist” like they have on rollercoasters for all those who change their mind at the last moment. However, as I took my seat and prayed for peace I had a feeling come over me that I was exactly where I needed to be. As the plane climbed above the surface of the earth and the suburbs of D.C. disappeared beneath me, I closed my eyes and decided to trust in God in a way I never had before.
Now sitting in Cambodia a world away from The United States and Dulles International Airport, I can look back on many times in which I have had to close my eyes, breath deep, and decide to trust God’s plan for me. Although it has not always been easy to choose to trust Him, each time I dive in deeper I learn lessons I will never forget. I have not walked this journey or through these difficult decisions alone, but God has provided a family and friends who have shown me the meaning of grace, love, and joy. Together we have met Jesus in some pretty unexpected places, and been given the most valuable treasure there is by those who have nothing. Through this God has shown me that I am not alone in my walk, and that as I close my eyes and choose to trust him, I can do so as I clasp the hands of my brothers and sisters on this journey with me.
Now I stand looking to the future, looking to the next half of my race, excited and filled with those same butterflies I felt on the platform at Dulles. I look back as I stand on the precipice of this hill to all the people who have made this journey possible with a heart full of thankfulness. It is because their support, prayers, encouragement, and words of advice that all this has been possible. However, in order to continue this journey I need continued support, prayer, encouragement, and advice. By the end of December I need to raise $4,500 in order to be fully funded and stay on the race. Through your support towards this journey you will not only impact my life, but will forever change the lives of all those we meet and serve along the way.
As I step again into the unknown of the next seven months, I look again to God knowing where I must place my trust. I ask you to walk with me in this journey. Let’s see what it looks like to choose to trust God and what we may look like when it’s all said and done. Take a deep breath, this is going to be a story we’ll never forget.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your support and prayers. You can donate by clicking the “support me” link on the left side of this page underneath my picture, or contact me by email: [email protected]. Thanks again.
Sincerely in Christ,
Garrett
