I knew going into this year on the World Race was only the beginning of my travel across the world. As I have shared many times, traveling abroad has been a dream in my heart for as long as I can remember. It is no credit to anyone but the Lord, because no person in my life influenced this longing to see other places, experience other cultures and connect with people from around the world.
As I ready myself to go to Spain, I have been blessed with time to get together with people to share about this year and give them a glimpse into what’s next. My hope in going to G42 Leadership Academy is to really pull out all the ideas and dreams I have for long-term ministry and learn how to put them into action. Sure, I have some memorable moments throughout my life! I have seen and done some crazy things! However, I can honestly say that over the past 3 years of my life, I have had the most intentional conversations, the most personal reflection and growth, and the most purpose-driven experiences than ever before! I finally feel like I am truly living the life that was intended for me!
“Surely you’ve had enough though, right?” Many forms of this question have come up in conversations with people since returning home. The idea that because I traveled for 11 months and am now back “where I belong” caught me off guard. Yes, I was born and raised in Texas and have lived here my whole life. I am not denying my origin or even insulting it because I want to go see other places. I love it here. There are so many things about this state and about the parts I have lived in or traveled to that are so unique and familiar. I have had a lot of time to reflect on this over the past few weeks. Every place and people group has its quirks but I have gotten to really ponder the things I love here. I like that the majority of people in Texas drive big trucks. For some reason, there is just something inside me that loves seeing trucks everywhere! I like that we have BBQ and Tex-Mex and even could go as far to say that some of the best places to eat these types of food are only in our state. I like that although I grew up in the city and love many types of music, I appreciate line dancing and a good ole’ honky tonk-style party. I like the accents here and how they can even vary by region of the state. I like that I can travel to different parts of the state and experience snow, ice, humidity or dry heat, rolling hills and flat desert, rich green grass and dirt-filled land, big city hustle-n-bustle and small town stillness. I love that while we do fulfill many of the stereotypes people have about Texas, we also are so diverse that we don’t remain in the “cowboy-redneck-country-farm-livin” box. Texas is an enormous state and has such variety! You can literally spend days traveling all over the state and see so many things!
I don’t deny where I come from. I don’t hate it or despise that my government documents state Texas as my place of origin. I enjoy all the things here that have influenced my likes and dislikes, my ways of thinking and my personality! I like that I say “y’all” and I am not ashamed that I can get down on some line dancing. But no, I haven’t had enough. This year was just the beginning of my travels. This year just gave me a small taste of what else is out there in the world! While the World Race includes traveling to many countries, the focus of this year for me was not to travel. Sure, it was an added benefit, but my focus this year was to get away from the familiar and comfortable life and experience what God is doing around the world. My mission this year was to experience Him in new ways and to be obedient to His command to love and serve others. I knew before leaving that this was just the tip of the iceberg and that it would open many doors to continue traveling and seeking my true purpose and mission in life.
So why Spain? This is the question of the hour, and since it is impossible for me to meet with everyone before I leave in just less than 2 weeks, I want to answer it here. There are many things a person can do after returning home from the World Race. Many return home and go back to job hunting and integrating back into their communities. Many choose to continue on with Adventures in Missions by leading a new squad on their Race experience, or attending their internship program. Many make plans to return to a country and/or ministry that they connected with through the year. Many seek other ministry and mission opportunities that are very diverse. One option is G42 Leadership Academy in Mijas, Spain. This is the path I chose next and truly feel like the Lord has called me to follow.
Because I entered this year with the intention of not only experiencing the Lord in new ways but also asking Him to help me begin to understand what plan and purpose He has for me, I also knew that it meant finally bringing to life the dream to travel and live abroad. When I learned about G42 last year, I already had the feeling that it was the place I would go next. This feeling was confirmed throughout this year, and moved from a feeling to certainty that is hard to explain. I was connected with several people who had either been to G42 or were there already, and not by my own doing. I didn’t search for how to connect with these people, they were simply placed in my path. As I connected with each person via Facebook, I felt like they were long-time friends and we were just catching up. There was a deep sense of connection that transcended the fact that we had just “met”. Something I can’t accurately describe but continued to be confirmed as time moved forward.
The premise of G42 is that they want to be the last “stop” before launching into your long term plan. Whether that means moving to a different part of the world, starting your own business or ministry organization, or simply being connected with a place that is already doing what you are passionate about… Their intention is to provide a place where you have the space to map out the ideas and dreams of your heart and put together some sort of action plan. I have many ideas of what I could do, but I have no idea where to begin! This is one of the reasons why attending G42 is next for me. To have a community of believers to do life with, gain wisdom from, encourage each other while following our dreams, and connecting with a network of like-minded people who I can link arms with and launch into the next endeavor with while being equipped and built up in faith!
Sure, I could come back to Odessa and live here. I have a wonderful church community, spiritual family and connection here. I could easily jump back into serving, leading and find a job. I could get another car, live in an apartment and pay bills. But that is not what I feel called to do. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those things or that plan. But I would not be living in the fullness of my purpose that God has implanted into my heart. Sure, I could do great things in His name. I can love people anywhere and serve any place. That is true. But there is more. It is no coincidence that He put Europe and the world on my heart. Some are called to go and some are called to stay. Some are called even to specific regions and people groups, others are called to many. Every person has a purpose and one isn’t better than the other. But part of my story is to go. To travel to other parts of the world and engage in other cultures. I can’t explain it or tell you why, it just is.
On their website, G42 describes it best: “The G42 Leadership Academy is a six month program created for discipling, inspiring and equipping young men and women to locate their passion – whether in business, the non-profit realm, church planting or the arts – and to develop a strategy to use that passion to bring Kingdom to the earth.”
So if you want to be a part of what the Lord is doing in my life and through me, come on! This is the best answer I have for why I am going to Spain and pursuing what the Lord has for me there. Like many things in life, I don’t have all the answers. I am simply being obedient to go and find out. I’m simply showing up for my life!
Below is a short video from Andrew Shearman, the founder of G42. Please take a moment to watch and listen to what he has to say about it!
A peek into the meaning behind the name:
“G42, or the 42nd Generation, derives its inspiration from the Genealogy of Jesus in the beginning of the New Testament. When Adam lost his birthright – his inheritance – to walk in the abundance and fullness of life, God had a plan to get us to the Promised Land. He had the Last Adam; He had Jesus. In what seems excessive, even boring detail, Matthew 1 lists Jesus’ genealogy.
From Abraham to David were 14 generations, from David until the Exile were 14 generations, and from the Exile to Jesus were 14 generations. Yet count the names and you’ll find only 13 generations from the Exile to Jesus, and so added together they equal only 41! Either Matthew was in need of a TI-85, or there’s something greater at work in this passage.”
If you want to read more about the vision and mission behind G42, check out their website at: http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/start
From there you can read about the community and academic side of G42 and seek to understand more about what I will be doing!
This venture requires more fundraising. While I could easily go find a job and earn my own money to pay my way to Spain, God has asked me to trust Him for provision and witness the beauty of His people coming together to make His dreams become reality.
In order to make this happen, I have to raise $6,000. If you would like to help me financially, there are 2 ways to do so:
1. You can donate directly to my G42 fundraising account.
Go to: www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate
Here, choose “one-time” or “recurring” donation and type my name in the “Appealed By” box underneath “Leadership Academy Intern”.
2. Visit my fundraising page at One Mission Fundraising.
Go to: https://onemissionfundraising.com/fundraisers/kingdom-building-reviving-the-vision/
Here, you can make straight cash donations to help pay for extra costs such as airfare and supplies. Also, One Mission Fundraising has several products for purchase such as apparel, candles & wax melts, soaps, canvas art, custom canvas printing, and cards. 40% of each purchase is given to my fundraiser! This is perfect for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, house-warming, wedding, and just-because gifts!
Thank you so much for taking time to follow this journey with me through my blog! Words can’t express enough the gratitude in my heart as I follow the Lord and He places people to walk the path with me! You play a huge role in making this all become reality!
