Background music: (Thanks for the idea, Bea!)
Friday I had the big appointment that was telling me whether I was eligible to go on the Race or not. This appointment was for my lung. For those of you who don’t know this, I was sick when I was 3. I had an allergic reaction to Sulfa and was comatized. The doctors didn’t know if I was going to come out of a coma and 3 weeks later, I woke up saying “Mommy, Jesus loves me!” A) Praise God that I came out of an coma, and B) I had Jesus wrapped around my finger! 😉 Jesus was guarding and protecting me from sickness and death. I say this, because due to this illness, I have “permanent” (I believe Jesus can heal it, if it be His will) health issues, such as something called Bronchietasis (chronic bronchietasis) and a few more things with my eyelids and whatever else. However, the stress of knowing this appointment was coming up has had me stressed out for 2 months! I hadn’t been able to surrender the Race over to the Lord fully, because I knew this appointment was standing in the gap.
It’s just funny to look and see how God is in control. I think as humans, it’s so easy to be like “God, I’m going through so much and I don’t see you reciprocating Your love.” This is a complete lie, guys. God is always there for us. God will bring us direction and guide us in what we are to do. Haha, it’s so FUNNY! I look back to about 1 1/4 years ago and The World Race presented itself to me when I was looking for missions trips. This trip has been on mind since then. I’ve asked for direction with this and God has showed me direction. How you may be asking? 1) My leader from the Peru trip, Carly Farver, had been on the Race in October 2008. I remember her talking about the Race, but it had been on my mind before that even. 2 of the people on her squad I also know. I didn’t even think about it earlier, but one girl I went to youth group with in college and now I do ministry with another guy. How strange is that? Also, get this…when I got back from Peru and was waiting to fly to Milwaukee from Atlanta, there were 3 girls that had just finished with training camp at the base in Gainesville, GA. Okay, so you think it stops here? Not even close. God’s presenting himself and telling me this is the right decision; that this is His will for my life right now! If God has called me to this squad, He’s got everything covered-the finances, the gear, the relationships…we serve a GREAT GOD!
I left my appointment laughing and everyone was staring at me awkwardly, probably thinking “What the heck is that girl’s problem?” I guess you could say my “problem” is I love the Lord who desires to give us children great gifts. God knew ahead of time that this is what I was going to do. I got into my car after the appointment and turned on the radio. The song “Forever” by Michael W. Smith was playing! This song is soooo real!
I know God is in control of everything, but I’m still needing $1500 before I ship out in September and then more while I’m on the field! Please pray about contributing and supporting me as God has been calling me to serve the poor, widowed, homeless, and abandoned! Thank you so much!
