This past few months have been a whirlwind. I graduated college, moved, and started working a full-time job. I was struggling. Transition was difficult. Life had dramatically changed in a very short period of time. I found myself questioning why I was in the place I was in. Why do you have me here? What are you trying to show me? Is this what I am really on this Earth to do? There has to be MORE.
MORE. There has to be. God did not create me to live in lack. He wants for me to prosper. Not for my own benefit, but for others.
When you ask God questions, He is faithful to answer. And my oh my, did He answer mine.
THE WORLD RACE. 11 countries in 11 months. A call to go beyond the pursuit of the American dream. Because there is MORE to life than working 9-5. An opportunity to live in real and raw community doing life and ministry together in passionate pursuit of Christ.
I had heard of it. I even know a few people who had either completed the race or were preparing to GO. It was not on my radar. (like at all) But it kept coming to mind. So, I began praying. Why is this so heavy on my heart? I couldn't shake it! I didn't tell anyone about it at first. I was processing. 11 months 11 countries. How awesome is that!?
Wait. 11 months– that means no just hopping on a plane to visit my mom, other family, or friends. I LOVE to travel. If you know me, you know it's my favorite thing to do, but this would be a huge commitment. My daddy went to Heaven in January 2012. My brother lives in Colorado. I would be leaving my mom for 11 months. God, do you really want me to leave her for 11 months? I knew. I needed to do this. I needed to try it. I needed it more than my mom, my friends, or my family needed me here. I needed to trust and depend on Christ for my joy, peace, and fulfillment.
So, I did it. I applied. I interviewed. And I was accepted. All within a month of my first thoughts about it.
I mean, whoa. God does not delay in answering prayers for clarification and direction. We have to be doers of the word. Whatever God says to do–if you follow, he will begin to do it fast. And he has for me. I'm trusting him with everything.
So, I go. I will be launching in January 2014.
I will journey to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines with a backpack.
In order to answer the call to go, I will have to raise my own support. I need to raise about $16,000.
This will be an area where I begin to test myself in trusting God that he will provide. It seems like so much money.
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." –Ephesians 3:20
God will provide. I will have MORE than enough. God is for me. God loves his children. He loves to give good gifts to us. Especially when he will see me use it to bring his Kingdom to Earth.
God wants to give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). When we seek His Kingdom FIRST (Matt. 6:33), our desires will line up with God's will for our lives.
I am confident in the fact that this is what God has called me to do over the next year. I am taking a huge leap of faith, and I am asking you to join me in the journey.
Pray
- Peace.Please begin praying that I would continue to feel at peace about my decision to go. I refuse to let doubt about finances or leaving home to surround my mind.
- Safety. Pray for the safety of our team as we go into the nations.
- Health. Pray that my team and I will be blessed with great health as we journey nation to nation.
- Finances. Pray that all of my funding would come in a
s the deadlines approach. Wait. No, pray that my complete funding will be met quickly.
Financial
- The total cost of the trip will be $16,000. This will cover all travel costs, food, lodging, and essentially all other costs that may occur on the race.
- These costs do not include other items that are needed for the trip (vaccinations, travel to launching destination and training location, any supplies needed for the trip, etc.)
- If God has put it in your heart to give towards this amazing opportunity that has been placed in my life, you can click on the Support Me! tab that is located on the left tool bar at the top of this blog. There you will be taken to an donation link that will give you the opportunity to sow a seed into my ministry opportunity. This donation is completely tax deductible.
If you'd like to keep track of what country I am and how God is using me in supernatural ways throughout the world, then you can follow me on this blog. I will be writing as much as I can and sharing these beautiful experiences here as much as possible.
Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers,
Laren
