Imagine with me for a second: You are standing on the edge of a cliff with the ocean beneath your feet and you’re looking out at the vast unknown and you feel like your stomach is in knots, your heart is pounding and your mind is racing. The deepest part of you wants to jump, but your physical body and your human nature tell you it’s not safe. There are 100 reasons why you shouldn’t jump, but for some reason that even you don’t understand, you know that you need to jump. So, maybe a bit reluctantly, you push aside the fear, step back and take a running leap.
I just chose to jump.
This past week, my Mobilizer who oversees my squad and I, sent us an email asking for 16 brave volunteers to switch squads. I knew in the depths of my being that I was going to be one of them. To be honest, this email wasn’t the first indication that I was being called to make the switch. For several months, I had been feeling uneasy about the route that I had chosen. For those of you who don’t know, when I applied for the World Race, I chose one of the four routes leaving in July 2014. Each one went to different countries and would be full of different people. I chose Route 2, as I felt that God was leading me to certain countries and because, at the time, it was the only route going to Europe rather than Central or South America. So, when I started to feel the pull somewhere else I was terrified. I assumed it was because I was being overly emotional or because I was afraid. Because I chose my route for a reason right? This must be where God wants me to be. So, I stuck with my plan. But of course, God was up to something. He shifted my heart, opened up new passions and convictions and gave me eyes to see specific needs in other countries not on my route. So when I got this email, I knew that it was confirmation that those feelings were actually God’s direction in my life.
After some serious discussions, thought and prayer, I realized that if I stayed on Route 2, I was playing it safe. God wanted to challenge me, transform me, bless me and lead me on this new route, in these new countries, with these new people in ways that He would not have been able to on my chosen route. I had to let go of my plan, my fears, my control and trust that being obedient, following God in the midst of my fear would lead to fulfillment and blessings beyond anything I could imagine. But as I prepared myself to officially make the switch, I started to feel confused. So, I sat down and asked God straight up which countries He was calling me to right now, in this season. And the countries that I wrote down; none of them were on my current route. Each one of them was on Route 1. I called my mobilizer Erin that day and told her that I wanted to officially be switched. I have to admit, after finally making the decision, I had a bit of a panic attack. For goodness sake, I was switching routes and squads 3 weeks before training camp! Thankfully, after about 5 minutes, I felt FREE!
Over the next few days, God continued to affirm my decision in ways that I never expected. First, with a squadmate that I was very close to also feeling the pull to switch and ultimately taking the leap with me. Next, with a renewed excitement for this adventure. A renewed purpose in this calling on my life. Then, with my new squad family. They welcomed me with open arms and I felt so at home with this amazing group of people. All I can do now is praise Jesus! I never imagined that this decision, as difficult as it was, would bless me so fully. I guess it’s proof that God’s plan is so much better than any that I have for myself. That when I trust fully in God, especially in the midst of fear, He does more than I could ever hope or imagine. I am in complete awe of our God right now!!
As always, thank you to everyone who has supported me financially, prayerfully and emotionally this far. I could not do any of this without you!! You have blessed my life in so many ways and I praise God for each and every one of you. We are almost halfway to being fully funded! So, I humbly ask that you would consider supporting me financially. My hope and my prayer is to be fully funded before I leave. I know that it seems like a lot, but I truly believe that God will provide. That He will place it on your hearts to advance His Kingdom through giving. If you feel the call to give, please click on the “Support Me” tab. I would also love to sit down and talk with you about this trip and how God has been working in me throughout this process either in person or on the phone. Please call me at 309-883-9881 or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions or just want to talk 🙂
Love and blessings to you all!!
Meghan
Below you will find the list and descriptions of the countries that I will be going to. Please take a minute to pray over these areas and the beautiful people that call them home.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean with Haiti. Dominican culture is lively, vibrant, and warm, however, the people struggle with hypersexualization, alcoholism, and witchcraft. After the earthquake in Haiti, the DR quickly became a refuge for thousands who were displaced. Chances for ministry here are varied and exciting – anything from children’s camps to church planting to construction. Come join the long-term Adventures in Missions presence and be a light to the Dominican people.
Haiti
Haiti was hit with a life-altering earthquake on January 12, 2010. The nation’s still in shambles, but the church is rising up. Haiti is experiencing a spiritual revival right now like it has never seen before. Communities are turning to pastors for leadership, and the local church is becoming the driving force behind Haiti’s ongoing rebirth. Be part of this key moment in Haiti’s history and the church’s impact on this nation. Come ready to serve and ready to be blessed.
Honduras
“Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras. It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather’s as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they’re loved.
Guatemala
A country rich in history and natural resources – fertile soil from the volcanoes help yield excellent coffee – Guatemala is the perfect place to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives. You’ll have the opportunity to usher in the kingdom to this land and reach out to the people on the fringes of society through hard work, relationships, and maybe even a miracle or two.
Malawi
Known as “the warm heart of Africa,” Malawi is a place you visit to ignite your passion for God’s love. This country has a beautiful landscape and an even more beautiful culture and population. This month, you’ll fall in love with the people of Malawi and bless them with the love of God. Chances are you won’t want to leave.
Zimbabwe
Formerly a British colony known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe boasts intriguing ruins and shares the majestic Victoria Falls with Zambia. According to Amnesty International, the current regime is allowing human rights violations to escalate. Zimbabwe also has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. The majority of the people identify themselves as Christians but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and hope.
Mozambique
One of the most beautiful countries in the African continent, Mozambique is a favorite location of World Racers for a variety of reasons: the people, the landscape, the ministry partnerships, the miracles that this country has seen, and more. The former Portuguese colony is seeing signs of redemption and economic recovery; because of, or in spite of, the extreme poverty gripping the nation, the church grows. You will teach, preach, and practice “true religion” with widows and orphans while you grow in your identity in Christ. One of your most interesting travel “days” may happen here.
Philippines
This Asian island nation, former Spanish colony then American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes – beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes – and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, and Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music, dance and community. While there, you may find yourself living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Burma
In a struggle for independence, first from Britain, then from its own government, Burmese political groups have fought an ongoing war for over 60 years, full of rebellions and insurgencies. This political unrest has led to nearly 200,000 refugees in Burma, many fleeing to neighboring countries like Thailand. When the cyclone hit in 2008, it not only left $10 billion in damages in its wake, it also resulted in nearly 140,000 people losing their lives. Natural disasters, a sinking economy, and corrupt government have led to despair and poverty for many Burmese people. Bring hope to refugees, the lost, and the broken, in a country fighting to embrace tradition while moving away from the old regime.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
