Three years ago the Lord started us on a journey that would take us to places physically, spiritually and emotionally that we could never have seen coming.
It was on this day three years ago that we arrived in Kerala, India on what was my first trip and Freddie’s second. I had no idea what to expect when I got there and even less of what to expect when I got home (which was actually more difficult!)
For those of you who know my story in relation to missions, you know that I was a self-proclaimed sender and more than once (mistakenly) said that God wouldn’t call someone like me to go to distant places. Yet, in His grace He patiently changed my heart and mind and away I went. Admittedly, that first trip was supposed to be my one and only. I had the mindset that I would go once to see what it was like so that I could send others.
But God.
He had other plans, and now three years later we are beginning to plan our next trip (number 5 for me, 6 for Freddie) later this year. So much has changed since that initial trip. We have learned a lot – not only about India and the desperate need of the gospel there – but we have learned a lot about ourselves, our weaknesses and our continued need of God’s grace in every aspect of our life.
Our next trip will be to a new area in Northern India. Someplace we have never been before, an area that is less than 1% Christian and experiences more persecution. There are a lot of unknowns about this trip – travel arrangements, lodging, travel while we are there, and a million other details that can plague my mind if I let them. But there is one thing I know for sure – that even those unknowns are fully known by God. He knows His plans and purposes for all of this. He knows what lies ahead and He knows every single minute detail of this trip. So while there is preparation for us to be taking care of, the stress and anxiety doesn’t have to weigh us down. We can trust the One who calls us. He is the Sovereign One in whose hand are all things.
In the coming weeks and months I hope to share more about India and why the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so needed there (as it is everywhere on earth!). It is a nation of over a billion people and a large population has never even heard the name of Jesus Christ, much less that He is the only way of salvation.
Lord, thank you for your grace. Thank you for sustaining us and providing to us all things that we need in this life. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your redemption plan to the nations. Lord, I pray that we would submit our will to yours in all things. Humble us Lord when we become prideful, encourage us with your Truth when we can’t see things clearly and we become discouraged. Your grace is enough when we are not. Amen.