Hello friends and family,
As you know, I have been back in the states for about five months now, and it’s has been great getting back into the rhythm of things, spending time with family and catching up with friends. I have been able to be a part of helping my home church launch a new ministry for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s and be involved in many other events and happenings taking place within the community.
I’ve had my fair share of coffee, stable wifi, and Netflix, and the ever present insomnia that comes with life transitions. I was blessed to join an amazing Sunday afternoon life/bible study group, and relish in new community. I’ve taken time to dream up what my future may hold, establish goals/a tentative five year plan. I’ve even done some networking for future careers. I think this is what people call “adulting”.
This re-entry season has been much more of an adjustment than I had predicted and I am forever thankful for the grace and support each and everyone of you have given me.
Thank you for asking questions. Thank you for wanting to know the beautiful and ugly moments of this past year and a half. Thank you for giving me an out if I couldn’t articulate my thoughts and reflections. And thank you listening to some over extended answers when I could articulate my thoughts and reflections. Sometimes things just flow and its hard to stop.
You all are the best community one could ask for.
As for new beginnings…
Upon returning back from the race, I was approached by one of my leaders about leading a trip through Adventures In Missions (the World Race organization). After much prayer and thought, and decided to apply and see what doors would open and close from there.
I am stoked to announce that I was accepted to lead a short term missions trip to SouthEast Asia at the beginning of February. This trip is specifically geared towards college students and is called “Passport”
If you know me, you know that I have a passion for working with college students and obviously a passion for missions, so this trip is more than I could have dreamed.
I cannot wait to discover more about God’s Kingdom, serve His people, and step into a new season of leadership.
I will be co-leading a group of approximately twenty participants to Thailand. The ministry we are working with is fighting to prevent human trafficking. (More information to come on my next blog)
Some of my responsibilities will be facilitating spiritual growth, upholding rules of the organization, mentoring participants, overseeing team dynamics, initiating and supervising group feedback, delegating day to day work, and integrating cultural norms and respect between our contact hosts and American students.
I am unbelievably stoked for this opportunity to grow, be mentored and trained, and be able to do life alongside some amazing people.
To answer many of your questions, I do need to fundraise for this trip. Although this is a huge leadership opportunity, it is still a mission trip.
I would be lying if I said I am totally comfortable fundraising again. After all, I swore to myself I would never fundraise after the race.
But God has made it very clear He has different plans. So again, I am in a new season of trusting Him, following His plans and His timing.
I am stepping out in faith, knowing that if God showed me the funds for the race (around $16,500), He can do so for this new trip. ($2,000)
I am thankful for you all, my community, and for the support I have continuously had throughout this season of mission trips and following after the Lord’s heart.
There are three ways you can support me through this next season:
1. Pray. Prayer for the ministry we are going to serve, for the people I am going to oversee and serve, and for God’s kingdom to be glorified.
2. Use your words. Spread the word of this trip and what we are doing to your friends and family. Repost my up-coming blogs. Write prayers, favorite verses or encouragements.
3. Finances: If you feel lead to donate, you can do so by clicking the “support me” button at the top of this blog page. Again, all donations are tax-deductable.
Please don’t forget to subscribe to my blog if you would like to stay updated on the happenings of this trip.
Love you all an incredible amount and cannot express my gratitude for this community.
Blessings,
Marsh
