Wow. Nineteen days from now, I’ll be putting on my backpack, tent strapped to the bottom, hammock hanging off the side, and heading to Georgia to begin the nine months of ministry, with that gregory deva 60 backpack holding all my belongings for the year. Crazy right?
And if you didn’t get stuck on the fact that my whole bedroom and bathroom will be somehow fitting into those 60 liters, you probably noticed that I said Georgia – not Romania. (side note: don’t ask me how it’s all going to fit, I don’t know either haha) Anyway, Georgia. not the Eastern European country, but Gainesville, Georgia. an hour outside of Atlanta, only eight hours from my house. and now you’re probably wondering what caused the change 🙂 I know I’ve spoken to many of you who are reading this already, but in effort to be intentional and explain well (and if I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to you yet!), here’s the new plan with world race gap year!
As I explain, I want to be honest that this is not the easiest post to write, the unknowns can be daunting and the changes in plans can feel overwhelming. But despite all of that, I know that the Lord is good and His plan is sure! “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 so I can say with confidence that it’s His purposes which are bringing me to Gainesville, Georgia!
Because of covid, Adventures in Missions (AIM), which is the umbrella organization that World Race travels and works with, decided to delay the overseas mobilization of all fall gap year teams, which meant that each individual in the program was faced with a decision, either to continue with the full nine month plan, or to defer to a six month trip, beginning in January of 2021. and because I’m leaving in nineteen days, I’m sure you guessed which option I chose 🙂 the new nine month plan will begin with four months at the AIM base in Gainesville, Georgia, and end with five months overseas!
My team’s four months in Georgia will include lots of intentional time with each other, deep study of God’s Word, missional training, discipleship, and some domestic mission work as well!
And the first week of January is our new overseas launch date! We will still be going to three countries starting in January, but spending less time in each country than was originally planned (simply so that we can still go to all three in the span of five months instead of nine). If you remember from previous posts or conversations, my chosen route is Romania, India, and Costa Rica, and now with lots of flexibility as the leadership at AIM closely monitors the health and safety of those countries, as well as their current travel laws regarding Americans. Because these factors are uncertain, the three countries where my team will be going January through May are still ultimately undecided.
With all of the changes and adjustments, lots of unknowns have arisen, yet so many new opportunities have as well. We have been given the opportunity to reach out to the American community, the chance to be both independent and intentionally discipled as we continue our walk with the Lord, and we get to come home for the holidays! Lots of upsides to the new model, even with the unknowns 🙂
And biggest upside, is the fact that last August, when I put my deposit down, thinking I was signing up to leave for Romania right around now, the Father knew that I was signing up to spend four months in a tent in Georgia – and He still called me there.
So here’s to nineteen days left in Harrisonburg as I’m learning to “take up your cross and follow Me” wherever that may be 🙂 He is faithful and good!
