Abiding, While The World Shakes

Hey everyone! We’ve been rerouted, and the next country we’ll be serving is… drum roll… the U.S! Haha! “YES, Lord!” Thank you so, so much for your prayers as my squad and I traveled back to the U.S. last week! I arrived home with my parents late last Wednesday. Originally we were planning to have debrief in D.C., but so much was changing while we were literally in the air, that we were told to schedule flights home during one of our layovers, so that when we arrived in D.C., we could immediately get on another flight. Thankfully, my parents were able to book a connecting flight for me, and I got home that night. Wow! What. A. Ride.

Since I’ve been home, I’ve just been resting, recovering from a gnarly sinus infection. I’ve been listening to International House of Prayer’s 24/7 livestream and I also like to tune into Upperroom’s morning worship livestreams, both on Youtube. If I feel well enough, I’ve started learning how to play piano again and do core exercises. Since my siblings still have school online and other responsibilities, our family has decided to schedule family time for meals (shout-out to my mom for making some AMAZING food!), during the evening, and on Sunday mornings. We’ve been just sitting around talking or we watch a movie together.

I’ve really appreciated how supportive and committed everyone from our organization has been to each other! My squad stays active through a 24/7 group message and my team has started a Bible study together. Our squad mentor Amy, our coaches Keith and Karen, and my worship coordinator coach Erika, remind us they’re praying for us and want to set up a video-chat with each of us. Ah. Ya’ll have been IM-PRESS-ING and BLESS-ING me so much! Adventures in Missions, as a whole I applaud, because they have taken such good care of us. My friends from home have been checking in on me too, so I feel really connected and have appreciated all the support!  

Upon reflection, my squad’s last month serving in Penang’s House of Prayer prepared me for this season. We spent hours interceding for needs around the world and ministering to God’s heart through worship. I’m convinced that is also my role now that I have returned home, while I am in quarantine. It’s not a time for the enemy to create division and gain a foothold in our lives, but rather a time for our intimacy with God to increase.

God has repeatedly told me to rest in His Word.

There are a lot of voices giving hourly updates on the virus and telling people how they should respond, and all that information can get overwhelming and send our imagination racing downward real quick. But there is a place our mind and heart can rest. We can turn off the “noise” and meditate on God’s unchanging promises and unchanging character. Because anything in this world that can be shaken, will be. But God’s Word remains a fortress where we can take refuge (Psalm 46:1-3). Whatever emotions we are feeling and concerns we have, we can bring them to the Lord, because He carefully watches over us and understands our hearts (1 Peter 5:7). CAST OUT the pressure to strive and to “figure it all out” because our truest reality is resting in Christ’s finished work on the cross (Hebrews 4). He warned us we would face trouble, but that His children should never lose heart, because He HAS overcome the world (John 16:33). All those chapters are so relevant for today.

Thank you all for giving me some space to get settled back at home and to process everything. I now feel ready to resume communication as usual! I’m glad to answer any questions you may have! Please write them in the comments below, to prevent repeating the same questions : ) . To answer some obvious ones:

What’s next?

Bob Mudd, the president of Adventures in Missions, notified us yesterday that we can expect 60 days to pass before the company gives missionaries solid answers about if we can return to the field and what will happen to the money we have fundraised. In the meantime, I’m going to try to return to teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to Chinese students online, which was my former career. If ya’ll know of job openings in Holton, let me know, I’m interested!

Would you relaunch with WR if you could?

I remain unwavering in my desire to return to the field as soon as they will allow us, and to complete my commitment to serve on the World Race. This last year working with them has been such a good fit for me and I have really been challenged and flourished through their discipleship program. My bag remains packed, so when they say it’s time to go again, I’m ready!

What if relaunching is not an option?

If after the 60 days, they say we cannot return to the field and the money fundraised is naturally donated to Adventures in Missions, then I will also feel peace and God will recalculate our plans. I feel that way, because this mission was never about me and it was never my money to control. It was always purposed to share the Gospel and help people according to God’s will and I did not earn my fundraising goal, it was graciously given to me out of God’s gracious abundance. He will do with my life and the money fundraised what is best. I trust that and I regret nothing. I’m still wildly excited about following Him and His will! All that being said, I do want to serve abroad at least the next couple years of my life. I will be praying about how God wants that to look.

So…

I am still quarantined for 7 days. After that, I am concerned that people in our community will need assistance getting supplies, being lonely, etc. the longer this lasts. I want to be available through our church to assist older folks, those with disabilities, or those whom the virus is more of a threat to. I also thought it would be beneficial to start a 12 hour rotation during the day in our church’s sanctuary, for prayer and worship. I would love to sing and play guitar there for several hours a day and be available to pray with anyone who comes in. Ah! That would be SO LIT!

To conclude, let me know if you have any questions or if there is a topic in particular that you would like me to write a blog post or record a video about. I am working on editing the videos I took while on the field to share with you in the coming weeks! I do think we can be most effective during this time through prayer and connecting with our friends and families through technology! I’ll keep you all updated here! Love you all and am praying for you! Stay well!

Prayer Requests:

• For the nation’s leaders to be given godly wisdom to act with charity and genuine concern for the well-being of the people they serve.
• For doctors, nurses, researchers, and all medical professionals who seek to heal those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process—prayer for protection and peace.
• For the families of those who are sick or have died, defend them from illness and despair. Help them know Your peace.
• For the repentance of all peoples. That this uncertainty would open their hearts to turn to Jesus.
• For continued healing of my sinus infection. Never a fever, I’ve been monitoring that, but if my difficulty breathing and cough increases, I will have to contact my doctor. But! I would prefer to just recover, and get after the projects I’m excited about doing while I’m home!