Decision 2020: Waiting on the LORD.

UPDATE 5-5-20: After a significant amount of prayer and discernment, I have decided to defer my launch date for the World Race Expedition to August 2021 due to the LORD calling me to wait on His timing during this season of the pandemic. In the fall, I will be studying at Appalachian State University while making disciples as a member of the No Place Left movement. I will be continuing to raise support & making preparations to travel to Asia (in 2021) as international travel and travel restrictions in the 10/40 Window begin to lift.

            At a dark but peaceful evening, I was sitting in my car at Lenoir-Rhyne University. My last semester just got underway, and I was about to go to my dorm and finish up some homework before going to sleep. Suddenly, the phone rings. My mother talks to me and we share about how things have gone so far and the excitement about the semester and preparing for the Race. As the conversation begins to wrap up, I find out about a new virus that was just detected a couple of weeks back in Wuhan, China. It was spreading rapidly, and it had the potential to cause travel to be restricted in some of the 10/40 window countries that we were hoping to reach this year. A few days later, I drove up the mountain to Jefferson, NC to speak to a small church there about my trip. I informed this congregation of the virus in China and prayed that the virus would be swiftly extinguished so that we could do ministry work throughout Asia. The congregation laid hands on me and prayed for the LORD to send us out into the mission field.

            The virus spread to more countries over February and into March. Places like South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, and Italy recorded significant cases of this new virus. Meanwhile, I continued to pray for the LORD to keep the path open for this trip. The reply that I kept getting was to simply “trust Him” and His plans. After February, the path forward became more challenging. The outbreak turned into a pandemic, and most of the United States shut down and enforced social distancing restrictions. The virus spread everywhere throughout the world, and I was shocked at what was unfolding. Yet deep down, I held out hope that this would be short-term with travel resuming and God allowing this trip to launch in August.

            Yet I also had a big decision on my hands. Although I was preparing to go on the World Race trip, I also discerned if it was truly God’s will for me to go on the trip this year. While I am clearly being called to the nations, I also asked the LORD to shut this door if this was not the time to walk through it yet. Meanwhile, I was accepted into graduate programs, and doors opened to continue my education. Initially, I had planned to defer graduate acceptance to after the World Race finished in June 2021, but I was now invited to enroll in the fall. This was a decision point that I wrestled with through much of April. I was excited about the trip, but I also knew that many things could change due to this pandemic. I continued to watch the news related for this virus- hoping for a breakthrough or some “positive news” to occur in the realm of virus containment. As I read more news on Easter, God gently but firmly reminded me that His Good News is enough. Wow. In the midst of searching for hope that things would return to “normal”, He shows up to remind me that I need to be focused on the Hope that is found through Jesus. Instead of wishing for a change in circumstances- I need to rely on the One who walks with us through these circumstances. This is important. Near the end of April and into the beginning of May, the LORD continued to search my heart and I questioned how I was praying. Was I praying for my own plans to take place in my timing or was I praying for the LORD’s will to be done during this season? This is a season of disruption as impacts of the virus take place. Yet it is also a season where many people are opening up spiritually to the LORD and are beginning to seek Him. In the midst of the chaos, perhaps this is a time for us to orient ourselves to Him and not rush these moments with our families and local communities. If I am to serve Him in the unreached nations, I needed to let go of my desires and allow Him to control in His timing what would take place over this year.

            Then, May 5^th took place- after around 3 months in prayer about the virus. God does answer prayer- even if the answer is not what we originally expected at times. At first, I thought that it was just an ordinary day. But in the middle of the night, I became restless- not because I could not sleep- but had that restless and excited feeling that something big was about to go down. During the morning, my mom and I talked, and I made the decision to defer my World Race departure to August 2021. This decision came to pass after realizing that the LORD is calling me to wait during this season. After it was finalized with Adventures In Missions, I experienced a sense of peace and contentment. It is interesting because while many plans and dreams were disrupted throughout the world due to the virus, this time I felt joy that God was leading me down a path of His choosing. Later in the afternoon, I decided to pray on the mountain and lift up what just took place. However, the forecast showed almost guaranteed heavy thunderstorms by the late afternoon with severe weather coming into the area. As I continued to pray about what the LORD had in store for this year, I again continued to feel peace. The storms were held back that day; no rain fell as the sun shined in the mountains. God also continued to re-affirm a calling for me to reach the outdoor community with the Gospel as well as to re-focus my ministry efforts towards the local western North Carolina high country community. Later in the evening, I accepted an offer to attend Appalachian State and study geography (which is something that I am very passionate about and excited to see the LORD develop this talent). The day closed out with me joining the Church in the Harvest house church network in Boone as a regular member. This is terrific because while I served in campus ministry in Hickory, I did not have a regular church family that I consistently abided and grew in faith with over the 8 semesters I was at LR. But He put this church family, which partners with the No Place Left global movement- into my life last summer. It will be terrific to regularly serve with them over the next year as I grow in discipleship and prepare for the Race launch in 2021.

            Sometimes- we are called to go and God moves in mighty ways. However, there are also times where He is calling me to wait on Him and allow Him to shape my plans during times of uncertainty like this. After praying during this season, I do not see Him having me drop the World Race program or to cancel my trip participation because of the pandemic or other plans. I still see Him preparing the path for this trip to take place internationally when He calls me to travel and opens a path. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what God accomplishes at Appalachian State this coming year. This will be a terrific time to grow in faith and be a part of a church family that wants to see the Great Commission completed on campus.

            Furthermore, I wanted to thank you very much for your prayers and support during this season and going forward. I also thank the churches that I have been blessed to cross paths with during my past four years at Lenoir-Rhyne and for the congregations that have helped (or are helping) me raise support.  I will continue to raise support for my involvement with the World Race over the next few months. Meanwhile, this blog will stay active, and I look forward to updating everyone on what takes place at App State, with No Place Left, and other ministry opportunities that take place over the coming school year. I plan to post updates every few weeks and please feel free to check back and subscribe to the blog. Please pray for opportunities to share the Gospel and make disciples in North Carolina this year. As of now, where I will be going in the future mission trip (or who will be on my squad) is uncertain, but I plan to participate in the August 2021 World Race Expedition trip to the 10/40 Window most likely. Ultimately, it is in God’s hands. Again- thank you for your prayers and look forward to keeping in touch. And, I will continue to pray for the racers who plan to depart on the October 2020 and January 2021 routes as they prepare during this time.

            PSALM 27: 13 – 14: I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.