Hey friends. It’s been a little bit since I’ve posted a blog, life’s been getting in the way. But there’s definitely a lot on my mind right now, especially surrounding my mission trip, and with everything closed I definitely have some more time on my hands. There’s a lot going on the world right now, and I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around it. Since I already take classes online and my job at a coffee stand is already ‘grab n go’, I wasn’t really impacted by the coronavirus crisis and I was having a hard time understanding the fear and panic surrounding it.
That is, until Adventures in Missions started having to send some world race teams home. And then, last Saturday, AIM made the difficult decision to send all World Race, WR Gap Year, and WR semester teams home due to travel and safety concerns. My heart broke for all the racers whose trip was cut short. I’ve been keeping up on their blogs and social medias to get a taste of what the race is like from the time I applied. I can only imagine the disappointment and confusion these racers are feeling. This couldn’t possibly be what God had planned when he called them on the race, right?
And while I know my trip is still far enough away to not be affected, I can’t help but think, “what if, what if, what if?”. It’s scary to see how easily everything can change by things we can’t possibly prepare for. And it’s easy to begin to think that God isn’t in control or this is something he didn’t plan for. But when we start allowing ourselves to believe that, that’s when the anxiety and fear take over. Something has been repeating in my mind since the World Race started having to make changes because of the health crisis, and it’s this: “fear has no place in God’s presence”. I know those racers who are on their way home did not expect their trips to end like this. But God still used them, and he will still use me. So am I going to trust him, and I’d encourage you to do the same, wherever you are, whatever you’re going through. Fear has no place in God’s presence.
And remember, there are still things to thank God for! Like how I’ve raised more than $10,000 for my race! God really does provide. I’m so thankful for everyone who is supporting me, whether it’s financially, or through praying, or by reading this blog!
Love you all and stay safe!
