Over the Edge!

Early in the morning, we wake up to a time of prayer. The sun peeked out over the shores of Lake Clark, Alaska as I walked on the stones before me. We prayed to the Lord and then hastily packed up our tents as we set off to climb the mountain. Through the woods we went, gaining elevation as the trail got narrower and steeper. The views got more and more majestic as we went, and we reached a meadow below the summit of Lach Mountain. God’s creation is awe-inspiring as the lake fanned out before us with the mountains beside us. Yet deep down, I had the urge to press forward. Taking one of my fellow friends with me, we went further up the mountain to a small pile of rocks where another grand vista awaited us. The white snow-capped mountains glistened in their splendor as we took in the dreamy landscape before us. Before the two of us as we climbed higher up the mountain.

LACH MOUNTAIN, ALASKA.

The unknown. What is it like? What is the concept of the unknown? It’s the place beyond the boundary of the known- where very little or nothing is known about the area. For some reason, exploring the unknown has fascinated me for quite some time- especially as the Lord began to shape me for His calling. It’s unknown to us yet very much known to the Lord. Yet it’s that allure of crossing that line that drives my heart as I venture into areas I never knew I would ever enter.

ENDLESS WALL, WEST VIRGINIA.

At the very end of the Alaska trip, after being on mission and serving the people of Port Alsworth, we flew back to Anchorage. And I will never forget that moment. That moment after the plane entered the fog after taking off from Iliamna Lake. After taking off close to the largest lake in Alaska where monsters are rumored to lurk in its depths (https://mysteriesrunsolved.com/2020/10/illie-lake-iliamna-monster.html). And in that fog, I felt a strong presence of the Spirit as the calling became more and more clear. To explore and venture into the unknown. To have the heart of an explorer and serve the Lord wholeheartedly as His name is proclaimed. I wept tears of joy as this became known- after several years of praying and wrestling with Him.  The plane exited the fog with Mt. Denali being seen way off in the distance. A few hours later, I gazed upon a map of the world and a giant mural of a compass with ships taking to the seas. A friend and I prayed together, and I knew: “This is it”.

VIEW OF MT DENALI, ALASKA.

The time in the Last Frontier came to a close, but I was about to step into a new frontier. Training Camp came to pass a couple weeks later, and we came together to hike up another mountain and cast vision for our route. We would start in Romania, travel into the Balkans, and eventually serve in the Middle East before wrapping up in Asia (Lord-willing). We also got together to worship, and I got this image in my mind throughout my time at TC. We were travelling into the Balkans and entering a new land. And as I stepped from the familiar and into the unfamiliar, the Lord pressed into my heart: “Are you ready to lay everything down for me?”.

TRAINING CAMP, YONAH MOUNTAIN.

Starting on August 6, I gradually left home and ventured further and further into the unknown. After Launch at the Adventures in Missions campus, we flew to Paris and then on to Bucharest. From there, we drove to Craiova and began our quarantine. And so here we are in Craiova. In my spirit, we are in the fringes of what is known to us. Being trained by a dedicated ministry host and pressing through quarantine, I stand on the edge. One night while in quarantine, I looked up at the sky while at the picnic bench and wrestled with the Lord. I was again reminded, “Will you lay everything down for me?”. Standing on the edge and to jump off the edge to the unknown, I am to lay it all down to Him. Lord, teach me your ways so that I continue to walk and live like this!

INTERNATIONAL HALL, BOONE, NC.

What lies beyond the Edge? The unknown. The unreached peoples of the Balkans. The rugged mountains of the Middle East. The massive cities of Asia. Yet deep down, this excites me. Yet it also humbles me. The Lord is bringing us into the unknown as we (M Squad) proclaim the Gospel. But an expression of walking in freedom is to grasp this unknown land- ready to serve and be the hands and feet of the Lord however He guides us. Yet walking in freedom unfettered is to follow Him wholeheartedly. It’s not an easy path to follow yet it’s a beautiful path to follow.

COMPASS MURAL, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.

There will be a lot of uncertainty and craziness, but I trust Him. There will be a lot of hardship and rejection, but I trust Him. In that bed where I lay down fatigued from Covid and cry out to the Lord, I trust Him. And we look forward to seeing what takes place as we minister in Romania, step off the edge, and journey further into the unknown as we press deeper into the World Race!

CRAIOVA, ROMANIA.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created”. James 1: 12-18