I’m going so lets get that out of the way. I would like to share my heart on the reasons that I’m not going.
I’m not going on the race for a year long vacation.
11 countries in 11 months? Yeah I guess it sounds like a vacation. But when you get down to the nitty gritty of this mission trip you’ll realize this is far from it. Flying first class with a glass of champagne, 5 star hotels, extravagant dinners and luncheons, site seeing, and dressing up for a “night on the town”. A little exaggerated yes and there is nothing wrong with taking trips or vacations like that. But that is not this mission trip!!! We will be humbling ourselves to living in the culture of the country we are in and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through everything we do. There is a possibility we could go to an unreached tribe in the middle of the jungle! What! That would be SO COOL!! I assume it will be a rare occasion where we are in a hotel and that would be for about a 4-5 day debrief (reflecting on a month of ministry) with our entire squad. I’m going to be living out of a backpack for entire year with the essentials I believe I will need. My parents won’t be sending me care packages or items that I forget that I “have to have”. While it can look like a vacation to some, I hope you see this will not be it. And while there might be an occasional opportunity to have an adventure day or to see some parts of the country, this is not the focus.
I’m not going on the race to meet/find my husband.
“Oh my gosh when you come back you’ll be married or you’ll know who your husband is!”
If I’m honest, this had been a struggle for me for a few years. Then last year I realized I was idolizing marriage and it started to become something that I found my identity in. Don’t get me wrong, I do want to get married one day. But if this is my only reason to go on this mission trip then I need to (insert John Crist voice and sassy hand motion) check my heart.. because let’s think about how selfish that is.. to go on an 11 month mission trip to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ and then my reward would be a husband? I’d rather be single for the rest of my life if it meant that I would be sold out to my calling God has put in front of me. As a racer, I have made a commitment through the organization that I would say Yes to God and no to a relationship for a year. And there was no hesitation in my heart to make that decision.
I’m not going on the race to run away from life.
I didn’t finish college and I don’t have a secure job with benefits and I won’t have a solid income for a year and when I come home I have no idea what I will be doing or where I will be living. But the Lord DOES. And I have peace in my heart to know that he will guide me where HE wants me. And that he will provide everything I need for that move and transition. Sometimes the Lord works backwards and upside down all around. I don’t think “life will just work out” because I have to do my part too, by listening to his voice and being obedient to his calling wherever he wants me. All I know is that the Lord asked for a willing heart and I had and still have a yes in my spirit to go. I know that his plans for me are far greater than I could ever ask or imagine. I hope that during the race he will continue to unravel those amazing plans for where he wants me. I just want to be obedient to the Lord in all that I do.
Thank you for reading, I hope this cleared up any questions or concerns you may have about this trip! And please if you have any, I encourage you to reach out. I love talking about this and when people ask me questions or give advice it warms my heart. Please continue to keep my team and I in your prayers as we prepare to leave in 42 DAYS!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!
