So here we are. T-minus 14 hours until I show up to training camp, say goodbye to my parents, and put all the months and months (…and months!) of preparation to the test. Well. . . Sort of:
Being the type-A personality that I am, I love having things ready in advance. Last March I had everything figured out to go on my journey to Nepal. I even knew what the street names were and the best place to get Momos (The street vendor near Thamel is where I’m told)! But God had other plans. on my birthday, March 28, I was getting ready to go eat at my favorite Greek restaurant, Athena, when I got a call. “Karson, I am so sorry to report that he trip to Nepal has been cancelled.” What.? My heart screamed with sorrow and my stomach tied itself into knots. All my preparation? All the prayer? God, why would you do this to me??
I expected to hear myself cry, but instead I heard my voice say, “Okay, what are the other options?” My mobilizer said I could choose either India or Albania. “Oh duh,” I contemplated, “India is the obvious choice for me.” but I was curious about where in the world Albania even was. I told my mobilizer I would give her an answer by the next day. She complimented my faith and I hung up, crawling to my car in tears. “My faith??? I don’t have faith! I’m scared to death!” I prayed to God. “Jesus, I just don’t understand.”
As I drowned my sorrows in the best gyro Tyler, Texas had to offer, I believed that it was obvious that I would choose India. I called my mobilizer and told her my answer the next day. “Albania.” Why? I don’t know. How? I’m not sure. All I know is I couldn’t get away from Albania. I couldn’t get it out of my mind.
Jesus wrecked me and my carefully thought out plans That day. He has taught me that flexibility is good and that trusting in Him is the best prep I would ever need. I love that Jesus wrecked my plans, because His ways are higher than mine and always have a way of turning out ten times better than I could have ever imagined! So as I prepare to say goodbye to Texas and my family for two months and greet Albania with a “Howdy!”, I pray that I can grow in my faith and trusting in Jesus! Please keep me in your prayers for the next two months God bless (:
Karson
