So the most frequently asked question I have received since being home is “What’s Next?”. What do you do now that you have traveled the world? How is it that you have seen pain and deep suffering hold the faces of people you love? What do you do with all this conflicting information? How do you come back and live a normal life?
Truth is… I don’t know how to live a normal life again (some might even dare to say that I’ve never been normal). I have been wrestling with these specific questions a whole lot since being home, trying to figure out how to make the God that I have seen work miracles around the world fit into my normal life… SPOILER… I can’t do it! I don’t want to do it!
If this past year has taught me anything it is that I serve a BIG GOD and I have only touched the surface of seeing what all He can do! I have learned through the people all around the world that the best way to see the fullness of God is to fully see people… they are made in His image, you know. I believe deep down in my core that God has hidden a different piece of Himself inside every human on this Earth and it is our job as Christians to bring those pieces together.
“You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.” Ephesians 4:4-7 MSG
This is a call I feel passionately about… connecting people together! That is why this January my goal will be working with Adventures in Missions (the organization I traveled the world with) for a 3 month internship to learn what it looks like to build this kind of community outside of the World Race. I will be learning from one of their Field Mentors on how to cultive community within different teams (short term missions, youth missions, travelers and locals alike). This internship will be based out of Cambodia!! (One of the beautiful countries I had the privilege of visiting on my Race.)
This internship will serve as a stepping stool for me to learn, along with an opportunity to see if this passion of mine is what I am wanting to make a career out of. I know this sounds crazy to some of you… actually it should sound crazy to all of you because I feel crazy for doing it. But I have learned that crazy, ridiculous faith is the breeding ground for God to move. This is the life I want to live, a life full of complete faith and dependence on God!
If you would like to partner with me on making this next step a reality I WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP!!! I am needing to raise $4,600 in order to take this next step where I feel like the Lord is leading me. My fundraising will work the same way as it did for the World Race, where all donations are tax deductible! This $4,600 will cover my flight to Cambodia and my flight home, my lodging, my food, and my transportation for all 3 months I am in Cambodia. Call me even crazier but they are asking me if I could be in Cambodia by the middle of January, which means I have a little over a month to reach my financial goal.
I honestly would love if you would partner with me in this next step, both to Cambodia and for the possible future of doing this type of life long term (don’t worry everyone, my heart for community building is in America too). Whether your partnership looks financial or if it looks spiritual <pray pray pray> I very much need it! I am so blessed to have an amazing family around me who I not only get to share this journey with, but share my life with as well! I am so blessed and thankful for each and every one of you! Thank you for reading my blogs, praying for me, asking me how I am doing, and helping me chase my dreams!! I love y’all!
