Well, sometimes we can plan and plan and plan, and our plans can become louder than God's whisper.
When Josh and I applied for the January route, we were excited about it, of course, and we weren't too worried about what it meant for our apartment lease, which is up at the end of February. We figured that we would just be paying for one month that we wouldn't actually be living here, and that it wouldn't be a problem. As we learned more of the details of what our last few months stateside would look like, it became clear that we would not be able to afford rent as well as well as all of the things we need to get ready to go overseas, like all of our gear, vaccinations, etc.
So, we decided that we would ask our landlords if we could shorten our lease to a 6 month lease, which would take us to September. After we moved out of our apartment, we were hoping to move in with friends or family for cheap or free, allowing us to purchase the things that we need as well as save money for emergencies while we are on the field. Unfortunately, they said we would not be able to do it, and the only way we would be able to get out of our lease early would be to buy out. If we did this, we would have to come up with 3 months of rent in 30 days time. Which was not really possible.
We also have a credit card that we have been trying to pay off for a long time, which we were hoping to do before we leave to go overseas. If we didn't have to pay rent, most of our money could go towards paying it off. We never wanted to have a credit card, but a few years ago, my car broke down at the beginning of the summer. We made it work with one car for awhile. Most of the time, I would take Josh to work in the morning, drive myself to work in the afternoon, Josh would walk from his work to my work, pick up the car, then later that evening come to pick me up from work. However, when I went back to school in the fall, it just wasn't going to work with one car. We took my car in to get fixed, and the repair bill was over $1000. We had no choice because we had to have another working vehicle. We also unfortunately had to rely on the credit card when Josh lost one of his jobs last summer. So, our credit card debt has been haunting us for awhile, and I'm pretty sure the cc companies don't really care that you are overseas and without income. They still expect payment.
During the time that we were trying to figure out what we were going to do, AIM announced that a July route was in the works. If we were to wait to leave until July, we would be able to finish out our lease, and have a few months to save money before we left. However, we had already had our hearts set on leaving in January, and we were also excited about our squadmates, and had been forming relationships with them.
As much as we want to start our journey in January, it just makes more sense, and is more responsible to wait until July. We had been talking about this for several weeks, and I was anxious to find out what countries were included on the July route. The other night, I checked the WR website, and they had announced the countries! Although I was really excited to go to the countries on the January route, when I thought about not going to those specific countries, the only one I was heartbroken over was India. I have had a passion for India for several years, and I was so excited to finally get to experience the culture and minister to Indian people. I knew that God had called me to India in some way and in some time, but I decided that even if India wasn't on the July route, He would bring me there someday.
So, I looked at the July route, and there are actually two! The first one caught my attention right away:
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India
With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence'll bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Challenge: Asia
Will you forge further inroads with a ministry from the previous months? Or will you blaze a trail for your team and future World Race teams? This will be the opportunity for you to continue flexing your faith muscles as you depend on a few words of advice from the staff and mostly God's guidance. With God, all things are possible and the possibilities are endless.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you'll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God's light and presence everywhere you go.
Rwanda
Many who hear "Rwanda" immediately think, "genocide" – it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as you help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in you…
Uganda
Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. You may find yourself in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.
Kenya
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.
Latvia
Sandwiched between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is home to the largest medieval church in Europe (built in the 13th century). Like Estonia, Latvia is another gem as far as tourism in Europe goes but per Lonely Planet, still rather hidden from the spotlight. Unemployment rate here was at 22% in 2010 but is improving. Sadly, Latvia's been ranked with lowest ranked healthcare systems in the EU and second lowest life expectancy. Over 22% of the population identifies itself as Roman Catholic, while over 19% claim to be Evangelical Lutheran; however, only 7% of the population actually attend religious services. As the country recovers economically, you could be an agent of spiritual revival and show the people what they've been missing out on.
Estonia/Lithuania
Lonely Planet touts Estonia as having been Europe's best kept secret, with its lush forests, beautiful coastline, quaint country-sides & charming cities. Did you know nearly half of Skype's offices are in Estonia? Usher in a spirit of freedom as you carry God's presence into this beautiful country. Lithuania, once one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union (EU) prior to the recent global financial crisis, nearly 14% of Lithuania is unemployed, and less than 2% of the population live beneath the poverty line. With the highest suicide rate in the world and the highest homicide rate in the EU, this nation needs you revive the people back to life with the love of Christ.
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I was beyond excited that India was the first country on the route, and also Thailand. Josh and I went to Thailand last year, and loved it. I never thought we would get the opportunity to go back, but here it is.
So, after much prayer and thought, Josh and I have officially changed to the July Route 1. I am sad that I will not get to experience the journey with the January squad, and I will be sad/jealous/excited for them when they leave in January. But our journey will come, just a few months later than we expected. We are so super excited for this new journey, and we look forward to what it will bring!
