full circle.
the question i have been getting lately, more than any other question, almost on a daily basis, is ‘what’s next?’
let me tell you.
so some of you might remember. four years ago, a fresh little insecure 21 year old stepped onto her first alone airplane trip terrified. i had signed up for this trip and i was going to travel the world for 9 months. i’d be doing it with a bunch of strangers, and we’d be doing ministry. that’s about all i knew.
it didn’t take long for those strangers to become family. it also didn’t take long to realize that i was going to get way more than i bargained for. that year changed a lot of things, and i came out of it with this zeal that i believe The Lord feels about the nations. i had found freedom, purpose, joy; and i wanted everyone to experience that. i had fallen passionately in love with Jesus, and i couldn’t look back. i knew i was called to missions. i also knew that i had to help other young people experience what i had just found. i would have never in my wildest dreams thought that it would turn into this 🙂
over the past three years, God’s surprised me time and time again, blessing me with the sweet opportunities to lead groups of college students on semester long mission trips. i’ve had the honor of investing in their lives and loving people alongside them. i’ve seen them find freedom; i’ve seen them take risks; i’ve seen them begin to hear from God; i’ve seen them learn vulnerability and community; i’ve seen them fall deeper in love with Jesus; i’ve seen them come alive.
and still, three months has sometimes felt like scratching the surface. the potential is endless. but a semester goes fast. and at times, i would think back to my nine months, and just long for more time with them.
well, the day has come, and i never really thought i’d say this, but… i’m squad leading :))
it’s essentially the same deal that i was a part of four years ago. 18-22 year olds. 9 months. there are 43 of them, and i haven’t met em yet, but i hear they’re fiery and ready to spread that fire to the world. the plan is to go through costa rica, nicaragua, ethiopia, nepal, and the philippines.
my role will be more of an overseer. once we get to a country, the squad’s teams will disperse, and i’ll be traveling within the country, from team to team. i’ll get to pour into their leaders and invest in each individual. (I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!) i’ll spend however long with them, doing life, doing ministry, meeting them where they’re at and pushing them to go further, and then i’ll travel to the next team. it’s pretty different from what i’ve gotten used to and comfortable with, but what a humbling and precious invitation from The Lord that i couldn’t help but say ‘yes’ to. i’m ready and excited to lead and love and learn and grow and trust His lead completely as i first and foremost follow.
so this is what’s next 🙂 i’ll be gone for the duration of the school year, and then i don’t know what’s next ;P
it’s surreal to get to play a part in the very thing that God used four years ago to set me on fire for Him. it’ll be hard. but i already know it couldn’t be more worth it.
and that’s the thing. Jesus is king and He is so so worthy, guys. He is worthy of leaving things behind. He is worthy of missing your family for a year. He is worthy of ALL your time, focus, attention, heart. He is real. He is wild. He is passionate. He is moving. and He is raising up. He is setting people apart for himself. He is creating disciples. He says that the fields are ready for harvest. do you believe Him? are you willing? do you hear His cry? He just wants partners; abandoned lovers.
the young people are coming alive. the nations are getting revived. He and many faithful fathers and mothers and youth ministers and so on have already done the work; but He’s asking who’s will reap the benefits? who will say yes to the day in and day out of discipleship? i don’t know about you, but i’m in.
this is mostly an update blog. but if you wanna jump in too, there’s an opportunity. in order to do this, i only need to raise $3,500 for the entire nine months. easy stuff for God 🙂 a practical way to harvest. and you can contact me about it or donate right on this webpage. and even importantly, prayer. nothing in the kingdom happens without the faithful warriors behind the scenes. so let me know if you would like to be receiving updates and prayer requests, and hit me up if you have a heart to partner with me in prayer.
thanks for the support; i can’t wait to share this journey with you!
“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
John 4:35-38
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
