On the Race, things are subject to change at any moment. It's an extreme lesson in trust. We have to trust God, our trip organizers at AIM, and our squad leaders. One of the things most subject to change is our route. U Squad's route has changed a total of four times through this whole experience, one of those times on the night before we left America to fly to China. We were told that Month 9 would take place in Turkey, which we were all really excited about! But things changed, and in Japan we were told that Turkey was off the route due to the political situation, and we would be informed of which country would replace it as Month 9 got closer.
Well, for those of you who have read my home page carefully (or the title of this blog), you'll know that we learned that Month 9 will take place in Ukraine!
Ummm..what? I'm actually telling all you good people that AIM is sending us to Ukraine? What are they thinking? Don't they know we'll probably be captured by the Russians or something?
Actually, no. I trust AIM and their decisions, and so I trust when they say that they feel it's safe for us to do ministry for the month in Ukraine. They have a really good network of contacts and safety contributors, so I know they're really well informed. Plus, our whole squad will be restricted to the northwestern part of Ukraine, well away from the turmoil in the east.
And most importantly, I trust God. When I signed up for the Race, it was with the full knowledge that I was opening myself up to going to whatever countries He called me to. Yes, I signed up for a certain route, but I knew the route could and would change, and that I may go to a country that would seem "dangerous" to others. But I know that when I'm walking in God's will, I have nothing to fear. Does that mean I'll be kept safe physically? Maybe not always. After all, followers of Jesus are persecuted, jailed, and executed every day. But I'm a citizen, not of this world, but of the Kingdom. So even if some scary things happen in Ukraine, I know I am kept in the palm of God's hand, where nothing and no one can truly effect me.
So pray for me, but pray that I will have an intense love for this country. Pray for our squad, that we would be used for God's glory in whatever way He chooses, and that we will pursue deeper unity with each other. Pray for the safety of the Ukrainian people, and pray they would come to know Christ in the way we do. I am assured of eternal safety, but they are not yet. And so I'm not scared to go to Ukraine, because I know whatever happens, God is in control and will be glorified.
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:18-20
