A wise woman told me while I was writing last weeks blog on promises, “God is faithful to follow through.”
Thank you, Erika Paul, for being the harvest of a promise I didn’t even know was given to me.
I “met” Erika over the phone a year and a half ago when I was working in the interview department for Adventures in Missions. She was applying for the World Race and I had both the honor and unfortunate responsibility to tell her “it’s not a no forever, but now isn’t the time.” I asked her to seek help in working through some areas of her life she’d been struggling with so when she did join the World Race, she’d be serving her squad and ministry partners in greater health.
She quickly and angrily disagreed, hanging up before I could even take in what had happened. Fifteen minutes later she called back apologizing, accepting the conditions I’d laid out for her. Six months later she called again beaming in freedom and excitement at the chance to apply for the World Race again. This time, we hung up our phones with cheerful goodbyes and I practically ran to my supervisors desk asking if we could just pass her through to acceptance for the World Race.
In God’s ridiculous humor and grace, Erika chose the same route I was assigned to squad lead and we met in person (and in shock) at training camp October 2015. Erika has gone from stranger I made really angry, to stranger I got to accept to the World Race, to racer I’m leading, to friend.
While I sit in awe, it’s no surprise to me our World Race story ends with me getting to hand my role as squad leader off to this tremendous, brave, and gracious woman.
Erika, thank you for trusting me and seeing me. I’m so glad God’s follow through is this beautiful friendship.
I’m so excited to be continuing my work with Adventures in Missions after squad leading as a World Race Gap Year Squad Mentor. I have loved working with Adventures in different roles over the last 3 years and couldn’t have had the influence I’ve had without your support!
In order to finish out my time with C Squad and begin my new role as a World Race Gap Year Squad Mentor with Adventures in Missions in August, I need to secure approximately $700 per month in donations going forward. This could come in the form of one-time gifts or in monthly commitments of any amount. Any amount truly does help! If you are unable to give financially at this time, I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers.
As you prayerfully consider partnering with me in what God is doing and will continue to do through my roles with Adventures in Missions, I pray God’s faithfulness will show itself to you time and time again and His promises come to pass in your life.
Cheers to the faithfulness of God’s follow through to all of us,
Kate
Here’s a picture of Erika and I during our off day from squad leader training in La Paz.
