Since February, last I posted on here, there have been some big changes! I’m super excited to say I committed to the world race GAP year, outreach route! This is the 9 month route starting in Sept. all the way until May! Now this is s big jump from 1 to 9 months so I would love to share the full story about how I came to that decision!
Just a few months ago I heard of AIM and was checking out all the missions trips they had to offer. I saw the 9 month GAP year option and said “No way! Naobody could even pay me to do that”… well God had other plans. I ended up signing up for the 1 month Cambodia missions trip and figured that was a good start. A few months later that ended up getting cancelled so they offered a few alternatives and one being Guatemala. This was my go-to option, but I was kind of nervous thinking about being gone for double the original time planned (2 months) and already had summer commitments planned in the same time-frame. While waiting on an answer about some details for that trip I ended up checking out the other trips they had to offer.
While checking those out I re-visited GAP year trips. I noticed this one went to Africa (a dream I’ve had for awhile now), Cambodia (my original trip), and Guatemala (my second option). I feel like God opened my heart and mind to the idea but I was overwhelmed with fear. I kept it to myself to see how I felt about it over the next few days. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and what amazing opportunity this is, sprinkled with all the many thoughts about things that could go wrong. Not only for going, but also coming home after being gone so long.
This fear almost stopped me from continuing to consider it until I was trying to recall what passage the Great Commission was in. Matthew 8:23 was set in my mind and I was confident that was it. (Clearly I need to learn Scripture better) When I opened up that passage, lo and behold it wasn’t. Matthew 8:23 is the first verse of the story “Jesus calms the storm”. There is one sentence in that paragraph in red letters. Jesus said “You of little faith, why are you so afraid”. Instantly it made me realize fear was the only thing holding me back from this opportunity. If that wasn’t clear enough, a few days later I asked God to make it crystal clear if this is what He wants me to do. I happened to re-open that passage and noticed one other word in the rest of chapter 8 in red wording. That word was “Go!”. Considering the fact red words means Jesus speaking, I felt it would be kind of silly for me to consider that a coincidence right after praying that prayer. (Not to mention the amount of times I’ve read “Make the most of every opportunity” since Cambodia getting canceled).
This all isn’t to say I am not afraid anymore, I absolutely am terrified of so many things over this next year, but knowing God is calling me to “Go!” outrules any and all fear I may be feeling. As Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I know God will be there every step of the way and to take it day by day instead of looking at the big picture.
Thanks for reading! All I ask is for your prayer over this next year but if you also feel God is telling you to “GO” and partner with me here is the link to my fundraising page! Every penny counts! 🙂 https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2023-world-race-gap-year-route-2/participants/Ceciley
