Since I've started telling my family and friends about the race, I've gotten a slew of interesting reactions, fears, and concerns that range from hilarious to sometimes upsetting.
Here are some snippets: "Don't you watch the news? You see they're killing people over there!" "Those people are crazy about their religion. You can't go messing with them!" "Watch you come back with unknown diseases from all those bugs." "I heard you won't take showers. You sure you want to do this?" "There are people here in America that need help. Why do you need to go there?" "I hope you're not going to waste your life doing this."
I'd like to say that I've heard it all but I'm 100% sure that there is more resistance to come because anything that you're doing for the kingdom will be hard…it's how you grow! I know that the only reason these negative comments are coming my way is because Satan wants to block the amazing work that God is going to do through me. He sees my future and he's terrified!
So, to answer people's questons, YES, I'M CRAZY! I'M CRAZY ABOUT JESUS! He loves me more than I could ever comprehend or appreciate. He has given me life– physically, spiritually, and eternally, and all He asks of me is to serve Him, so that is what I'm doing. Some of the opposing arguments may be valid, but it doesn't make them any more effective. I'm not changing my mind. I'm not saying no to God. He has something amazing for me to do and I'm going to do it. I'm not asking Him questions or challenging His call. He knows exactly what He's doing and I trust him with my life. He will take care of it all and if something happens then I have to believe that it'll be for His glory.
How can I do this knowing all the risks? Because my Father is the ultimate risk manager!
Verses that encourage me:
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." (Matt. 6:31-34)
