This year feels like a standalone. It’s a weird time warp that feels like it’s flown by (I mean is it really month 9 of 11?!) and yet also feels like we’ve been gone for at least 10 years. I’m aware of the fact that I’m a different person than I was last month in this pressure cooker atmosphere, let alone who I was before the Race. But we’re in the final stretch. We aren’t baby Racers anymore and we’re past the mid-point. At the end of this month we’ll be the oldest Racers on the field.
Which means it’s time to start thinking about what’s next.
We’ve actually been talking about it for a couple of months now. Who do we want to be when we get home? What will we look like walking off the plane when we arrive in America? After having such a grand adventure, where am I going from here?
The physical aspect of that question is easy. With 3 additional ear piercings, 2 tattoos, and a drastically different hairstyle, I’ve officially been voted “Greatest change in Physical Appearance” from my squad mates. (I should do a before and after pic one of these days….hmm)
But I’ve also changed drastically from the inside too. God has remarkably changed my story, both pre and post-Race. He’s changed my plans, challenging my beliefs and way of thinking. He’s put into question my logic for life and what’s really in my heart. He’s shown me strongholds and walls that I had thought were long defeated and allowed teammates to smash into them to wake me up to the realization that I still need help/ healing. Almost every day He reminds me of who and what He’s calling me into for the future.
God has killed dreams, resurrected others, and brought new ones to life.
Which brings me to some exciting news:
I’m going to Japan!
You may remember back in February when Japan was taken off our route for the World Race. (There was the post, “He Took my Cake.”) In that God taught me a lot about fighting for my dreams. And so I fought. We had several long talks and (one-sided) fights where we went back and forth about what His will was and what my desires were and if they matched in this area.
In the end Aim didn’t bring Japan back but God did. Back in Malaysia He cleared me to go to Japan for one month after the Race. He gave me the date, August 28th to come home and said that’d be enough to do what I needed to do. I forfeited my ticket home and trusted Him to make the plans for what is becoming my month 12.
Right before heading to the Philippines I booked my $600 miracle ticket with my tax returns. (Thanks dad for filing them for me!
Every step of the way God has been SO faithful to His word. He promised that the World Race was my way to Japan and He delivered. And while I would’ve gone on my own, He has even allowed me the gift of seeing it first with the rest of my squad. He’s even put me in contact with some churches and ministries I can reach out to while I’m there.
So I’ve got my way in and my way out covered. Now you may be wondering, what am I going to be doing while I’m there?
In Japan I plan on having one big ATL (ask the Lord) month where I do whatever God has for me there. I’m going to put into practice all of the things God has been teaching me with the rest of my squad mates. It’s going to be a month of walking out the calling and leadership He’s anointed me with and solidifying everything this year has been before I take it home to the States. It’s also going to be a month of receiving what He’s already given me but I haven’t grabbed hold of yet. On the Race God has expanded the calling He’s put on my life in terms of ministries and countries but in the end I believe Japan will be my home.
When I get home I’m going to become more of a nomad than may be encouraged in our society. I see myself hopping around quite a bit from state to state and country to country. (He’s not letting me plan all that out at this point.) But I believe I have roots waiting for me in Japan and all the countries and people I meet elsewhere will help the vision I have of church planting in Japan and training the Japanese youth to go out and be apostles in Asia and the rest of the world.
In August I get to take a taste of what life may look like for me in Japan one day. And I get to go out day-to-day, without the rules of an organization, and do whatever God has planned. I hope to make lots of connections that I can stay in touch with and encourage them in their ministries. Most of the people I’ve already talked with are in the Osaka prefecture. Lord willing, I also hope to spend a couple of days in Hokkaido and as well as a couple days to a week in Tokyo (I will be flying out of Tokyo to LAX).
As of this moment God has provided for enough money to cover lodging for the month as well as one meal/day. I’m actually pretty comfortable with going without having all of the finances. If the Race has taught me anything it’s that God has the biggest checkbook on the planet and He will take care of our needs when we’re obedient to trust where He’s taking us. I’m not sure how transportation is going to work out but I’m ridiculously confident and calm about how all of this is going to work out.
I do plan on posting an update soon with how you can help/ pray for this next step. I’ll make sure to keep you tuned in. (-even if it’s in chunks like today’s posts. Sorry about that. :3 )
Be excited! God has all kinds of amazing adventures in store for all of our lives. You never know how He’s going to put the pieces together or what the next season will look like. All we can do is keep taking that next step and keep saying “yes” to what He has for us. (But don’t be afraid to question Him or fight for your dreams. He really does delight to give us our desires.)
Be blessed today. Breathe in that lovely scent of a beautiful future! Don’t stop believing in the hope that He’s given you. (Do I sound like a Hallmark card yet? I might be a little excited and cheesy right now :p )
Love always,
Katie
