During the fall of 2007, I was a freshman in college. In the midst of my first collegiate soccer season, I made a decision that would ultimately change my life. I decided to spend my first college summer on a missions trip. To be honest, this was about 20% wanting to experience God and love on people, 20% wanting to go somewhere cool, and 60% wanting to avoid going back to my hometown and getting a summer job. After some good ole google time, I came across an organization call “Adventures in Missions.” My first thought? “Well, that sounds fun.”
Adventures had a program for college kids called “real life.” During real life trips, college kids would go to a location for 1-3 months. I decided to go ahead and apply. To my surprise, I got an email back setting up an interview. I remember after that first interview having to indicate which location I would want to serve in. We were asked to pick three locations and number them in the order of your preference.Some of the options were Swaziland, Mozambique, Thailand, India, and the Amazon (I don’t remember all of the options.) I sifted through the options by the “coolness” factor and knowing me at that time, I never even looked at the ministry in each location.
Almost right away, I jotted down the Amazon as my first option. I figured it would be really “cool” to go. My second option was a toss up between the African locations. I had been to Africa two years before so either of those options were “safe” options. I couldn’t decide on a third option, but needed to but something down so I scribbled down India. There was little thought behind it. Afterall, it was my third option, and in my mind there was little to no chance of having to actually consider the last option.
After weeks of interviews and lots of emails, I finally got the email I had been waiting for right before Christmas. I was accepted into the real life program. I was beyond excited. I was going to the Amazon for two whole months the next summer. I called my parents and sisters, and told all my friends.
Weeks past, and I had begun fundraising and gaining prayers support. Everything was really coming together. I even started watching movies to prep myself for life in the Amazon. (you know the ones where giant anacondas consumed small children…super helpful and informative for prospective missionaries.)
The end of January would change everything. I got an email from Adventures and there had been a change. Uh-oh. Basically, the staff had a few unforeseen things come up and they needed to restructure some of the teams. I was now a member of team India. I remember my first thought. “Where the heck is India?”
I reluctantly shifted my focus to a country I knew very little about. (Apparently there was a shortage of India movies at the time.) After a few days, I figured I was still going somewhere, so I would make the best of it. Time flew, and in no time I found myself at training camp. Training camp was held at the base in Gainesville, Georgia and was the first 3-4 days of the trip.
Less than 24 hours into training camp, God had already done a great work within our team. We were already a family. It was incredible and absolutely God ordained. The day we flew out from India, I remember sitting in the airport and reflecting on how much God had done already…and we were still in Georgia. If I had gone home at that moment, my life would have been changed. The awesome thing about it was, the story didn’t end there.
India radically changed my life. I learned to love people and truly BE loved. I witnessed God’s power and sovereignty in ways I would have never dreamed of. I came to love India and the people I met there. It was hard, but it was beautiful.
I can’t imagine having gone to the Amazon.
What is the point to all of this?
Even though we make plans, God directs our steps. It is beautiful. Now, if I had actually gone to the Amazon, God would have done great things there too. But, that is not what his plans were. We don’t get the luxury of seeing into the future. Know that God is always in control. Even when we are confused and can’t see outside our little box of right now, he is still good. He is still in control. He is still faithful.
The best part is, we just get to buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.