“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11
There have been many things in my life that have left me confused, lost, and afraid. There are things that I did not understand at the time and still do not understand that have happened in life. However, a dear friend of mine in high school showed me this verse and starting that day it became a very special verse and was the real start to my pursuit of God even if I was not aware of it then.
This was shortly before the passing of my father which was a pivotal experience in my life. I was so angry at God and turned away from Him and the Church because of pain and things just sort of went downhill from there. It was a dark time in my life that lasted several years.
Fast forward to April 2019, I achieved a major dream of moving to New York City to live. I did not realize how God was working in my life, but He was 100% making big changes. June 16th, 2019: Father’s Day I knew that I needed to spend it somewhere with light. New to the city with not many friends I did a quick google search and found a church to attend. Walked in that morning timid because I wasn’t sure how I felt towards God or the Church; it had been so long, and part of my heart was still mad.
The message that day had a memory verse tied to it. Wanna guess what that memory verse was? You guessed it: Jeremiah 29:11. This verse has shown up multiple times in my life when God has tried to reconnect and reassure me. This time it started to seep in, and I cried most of that service.
July 4th, 2019 provided the real catalyst. I was still in a dark place and after hanging out with my roommate I decided to go for a run at 2 A.M. Not the wisest choice but I was not in a great state of mind. I put worship music on and took off running. I was sobbing and yelling at God about all the hurt and pain I was suffering from. Once I finished, I was by the water and felt this overwhelming embrace of peace. It was like being hugged by a parent when you were a child. God was welcoming me back with open arms. That is when my personal relationship with God grew and became so important.
Now I am being given the opportunity to go on an 11-month mission trip called World Race with some amazing individuals to serve God’s people. Not only am I getting to serve them, but I will get to grow in my relationship with God. I will have the opportunity to commune with God and learn how He speaks to me. I get to show people His unfailing love and grace. I get to be His vessel to speak life into those who have little to no hope in the dark seasons of their lives.
As I write this, we are in the global pandemic of COVID-19. While it is a time of mass fear, I am choosing to let my faith be bigger than my fear. I have felt God calling me to this opportunity to grow closer to Him. He is bigger than any virus. He is going to bring us through this and then afterwards use us to spread His love. He has a plan for good and not disaster. I am beyond excited to see where this journey leads and the people I will be blessed with the opportunity to serve.
The World Race is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations. It will be even more imperative after the world pandemic of COVID-19 starts settling down. Serving with others in order to help rebuild and nature spiritual relationships with God that were formed in this desperate time.
If you would like to donate to my mission just click the “Donate Now” button on the top of this page. Donate as little or as much as you would like. No amount is too small. I will be writing on this blog during this time of preparation and throughout my journey on The World Race, if you want to follow along and just be a partner in prayer then hit the subscribe button.
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
I love you all and thank you so much for your overwhelming support in this endeavor.
