I wasn’t planning on going on the World Race. I was actually planning on going to Switzerland with YWAM for their secondary school. But the Lord had different plans. He closed the door to Switzerland and opened the one to World Race.
I found out about World Race from an ad on Facebook. I was intrigued by the promo video and decided to look into it closer. I didn’t think this was what God had in mind for me at the time, but I applied just to see what would happen. I asked the Lord to be really clear if this was my next step in global missions work. I think He was laughing at me when I asked that because what happened next He was going to blow my mind with.
Long story short, I was interviewed and accepted within a week of sending in my application. Right there I felt like this was an open door, but I still had the $200 application fee (which is 1% of my total financial goal). The Lord told me to wait because He was going to provide this in a way I won’t expect. So, naturally, I started making a list of every way I could raise the money. This is when I know the Lord was laughing, because He said “You won’t be able to expect it” and I was trying to predict what God was going to do. I’m laughing at myself looking back. But anyway, it was a Tuesday night (5 days later) and I was driving to my young adults group and I simply prayed, “Lord, I’m open to whatever you have in store for me tonight.”
I walked into the church and immediately realized that none of my friends were there yet. So I circled the room several time looking and listening to see if there was anyone I should go talk to. I saw the missions table and felt an immediate pull to go over. One of the leaders saw me and came over. We started talking about missions, and she asked me if I had any trips planned. I hadn’t told anyone about World Race yet, so I was hesitant to tell her. But I felt the Lords nudge me to tell her about World Race. So I did.
When finished, I expected her to pray, “Lord, please provide the $200…”, but that’s not what happened. She pulled out her checkbook and started writing me a check for $200, and then said “You know what? I’m going to give you an extra 100.” I was overwhelmed with joy, amazement, awe and the feeling of “did this really just happen”.
The Lord was right, I never expected Him to provide that money through a total stranger. He was faithful to provide more than the amount I needed for that time.
This is just the beginning of my journey…
…to be continued
