Or don't but, just so you're warned that there's no telling what you'll find just behind them in my brain. 🙂 I've had so much random "stuff" on my mind and not sure how to share it with all of you. So maybe this will be a post with some random thoughts/unresolved struggles. Why? People like to know other people struggle…maybe? Does that work? If not, stop reading here!
Life – I have to be out of my house in 2 weeks and sell a lot of things before then. I feel like decisions on my house and a surgery I recently had have been consuming my mind and time. I'm thankful this is changing and I'll be able to move forward in some other preparations for this journey. I'm thankful that a tenant was quickly found! I'm thankful for an awesome family who offered for me to intrude…I mean join in their daily life for the next 5 months or so.
Fundraising – I'm struggling with patience and responding to a seemingly slow-moving response so far. I'm very happy that people have shared in my excitement and my time line has no weight. Wrestling with that balance of being patient, yet active. I'm praying for people to buy the things I'm selling due to the move at the price I'm selling. I know that God will provide, I just want to make sure I'm doing my part and have an active faith.
Life, Episode 2 – I'm very excited for this opportunity, but I don't want to look so far ahead that I'm not focused on the Kingdom every day. I don't remember if I've blogged about this or just shared with others, but I firmly believe that if I'm not serving, sharing, loving, etc every day, then I have no business going on The World Race. This should simply be an extension of my everyday life, the only difference being cultural contexts. I feel as though I've been in a dry season…desiring to disciple and share, but not seeing opportunities. Of course, then I have to ask myself how much I'm praying and looking for these opportunities. These continual battles in life to not be distracted with the many circumstances and situations shouting in front of our face every day. I want to live always in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus did nothing and said nothing outside of what His Father led Him, so I wan to walk and speak.
How can I/we be praying for you? – I get this question a good bit and am sure it will come up much more. Up to this point, I've responded with what hit me today as shallow requests. I've said things like fundraising, spiritual and emotional preparation. Those are important things for sure, but I also kind of think those are almost like a given. God has directed me to this journey, He's going to take care of those minor details. The deeper things that I believe I need to begin responding with are things regarding the people we will be encountering – both here and "there". Jesus took His disciples out to a field and told them to look up and see that the harvest is ripe. Not only did he tell them to go, but he also said pray that the Lord will send laborers into his fields! It is God alone who works in the hearts and minds of people. This is why this journey has nothing to do with going to attempt to "convert" people. My only agenda is living as I do here – genuinely loving people, serving and sharing the eternal hope of Jesus Christ. Pray for people that don't know this eternal hope. Ask that peoples' hearts would be softened and open to hear the Word of God for what it really is. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) It's really amazing and wonderful for me to know that divine appointments are being set up even now. There is a group of World Racers that launched this week I believe, and it's exciting to know that they are touching some of the same places I will be next year. Much sowing and watering, and I am believing God for fertile soil that will reap a harvest. It's the best thing that can come to anyone and it's available to everyone!
I guess that's all for now! Please feel free to comment if you have any questions/comments for me. I'm an open book. Anything specific you'd like to hear?
That all may know Him,
Kristin 🙂
