I just want to start this post off by saying God is a wonderful orchestrator, intricately and intentionally piecing together each page of each person’s story, allowing others to cross paths and being in places at the right times. What I once doubted to be the correct route for me, I now know is exactly where I need to be.
I have known the World Race was a calling the Lord was preparing for me since I was fifteen. Over the past year, I put the World Race on the back-burner as I found myself in a serious relationship and was willing to sacrifice the desire in my heart for what I thought would ultimately bring me more joy and happiness. After a breakup and making the decision to quit school for the time being, both which were hard to accept on my own, the thought of the World Race reentered my mind and would not disappear.
I’ve never had a desire to go to Asia. Not once did it ever come out of my mouth to go on a stand-alone mission trip to a single country in Asia. If you have known me for the past ten years, you would know my heart was always set on Africa and most recently Haiti (still is and probably always will be in Haiti!). While praying over whether I should apply for the Race or not, I began to look at September routes. Four out of five routes had Africa on their list whereas one route was solely in Asia. I prayed, sought advice from mentors, and fought with God a little but the only route that gave me peace was the all Asia route.
Since November when I was accepted onto the Race, I did not quite understand why Asia when my heart has always been set on other places. There have been times I have doubted that this is the right route for me. There have been days I went online looking for another route because I wanted to believe in the comforts of my own pursuits rather than rely on God’s will for me. Until this week.
Sitting in Secret Church this past Friday we found out the country we were covering with prayer all night was Vietnam. For a country of 90 million people with more than 115 distinct people groups only about 1.8 percent of the peoples living there would be considered evangelical Christians. Christians who face persecution daily in this communistic country. A country I will soon visit during my 11 months overseas that I knew nothing about until that night. Some could say this was a coincidence but during a time of doubt, I found this as reassurance I am on the right path.
Along with Vietnam, the very next morning I awoke to hear the news that Nepal had a devastating earthquake. Though my heart is heavy and I don’t have the words or imagination to know what this country is going through, I am joyous to be one hundred percent confident in where the Lord has led me and is continuing to lead me. While separating me from the distractions of a relationship and school, He focused me in on a longing that was in both of our hearts. He took Vietnam along with its people and placed it in the spotlight for me to recognize and start to grow fond of before I even left the comfort of my own town. He knew the earthquake was going to happen before I even applied for the Race and Holy Spirit helped me choose this route knowing I would be there in December to help with disaster relief and cleanup along with bringing the Good News to those vulnerable and in need of light and hope in their lives. Though I know the earthquake didn’t just happen for me to verify what I’m doing is right, I know He is intentional with every thing He does and I know I should never doubt that even when I don’t understand. I am in good hands.
God has so much in store for my squadmates and I that I cannot fathom but only dream about currently. He pays attention to detail for He knew what He was doing setting all of us on a September World Race route hitting Asia. He knows the impact we will make before we even touch foot on Asian soil. And I’m excited to see what He has up His sleeve as my squad and I soon embark on this journey of surprises, worship, witnessing, and growth.
Always,
Kelsea
If you feel led to help me get to Asia to spread God’s love, you can financially donate through the “Support Me!” link above or click on the link below to join my prayer list: regular emails that will be sent to provide more in-depth detail of prayers for my squad, the experiences and people we come across in each country, and for myself. Thank you so much!
