Circuit Riders Acceptance and Preparation!

    How far west have you been? For me, the farthest west I have gone so far before Circuit Riders has been St. Louis, Missouri. I love traveling as it gives me a chance to have new experiences. Starting around finals this year, I was thinking to myself, I think I am going to apply to Circuit Riders and see what happens. Part of this was my longing to travel, wanting to step out in my faith and see how the Lord provides through this. During finals week, I decided to check my application and I saw that I was accepted. I chose to do the Messengers Track of Circuit Riders which would teach me things like teaching, sharing God's word and the truth of the Gospel with others, and worshipping with others. 

Life Long Ministry

    When I applied to college, I was stepping into my calling. I see every day of my life as a chance to share the love of Jesus. I see the places I step into as places where faith should be shared. Circuit Riders is a part of obedience to the Lord and a step of faith. I believe there are times in our lives when steps of faith allow for more gospel conversations. Through my time preparing for Circuit Riders, I have been able to talk more with people about my faith in Jesus. This is a week-long discipleship training school where I can grow in my faith, and bring back what I learn to the Holland and Grand Rapids community I live in. 

The Lord Providing

Time

    I had no idea if I would go to Circuit Riders this summer. I had a few friends getting married this summer. I thought that if any of the weddings would happen during the time of Circuit Riders, I was for sure going to go to the weddings. Where weddings are one-time events, Circuit Riders could be done next year. When I looked at my calendar for all the weddings, I saw that my calendar was completely open for me to go to Circuit Riders as the weddings occurred at different times. I knew then that I was going to apply and see what happened. 

Finances

    With fundraising, the challenge for me was getting over being independent when it comes to finances as well as having to wait. When I went to Puerto Rico, I paid for it all. I struggled with asking for help because I wanted to just pay for it myself. I knew I would need help this time around, and I wanted to see how the Lord would provide. I started navigating fundraising after I finished finals because I knew that starting as soon as possible would allow my loved ones time to prayerfully consider donating. 

    Not even a week into summer, I found out that the brakes on my car were bad. At the car dealership when I saw the bill, I remember thinking to myself 'Well there goes Circuit Riders'. I called my dad, and we decided to take my car somewhere else. We went to a family friend who had us pay less than half of what the other dealership wanted from us. I was so blessed by our friend who fixed the brakes on my car. The Lord protected me too when driving home and my brakes went out. 

    The way I thought fundraising would go went differently than I expected. I thought that God would provide right at each deadline. I had just enough money raised to pay the early deposit. By the start of the third week, I felt this peace. I had only raised a little bit but still had a long way to go. I reached out to a few places including Request Foods which is where my dad works. After waiting on them, I received an email that they wanted to donate a large sum of money towards my tuition. The third week was really when I started to see the Lord providing funds for the trip. My tuition, not including travel expenses was paid by the third week of raising money. I did not post anything on social media during the third week. I decided to just wait and see what would come of the week. I went from having a few donors who donated a little money to my whole tuition being paid within 3 days from Wednesday through Saturday. Where there is God's will there is definitely a way. 

    Money continued to be provided through generous donations. 2.5 weeks before the trip, I posted an update and I posted the donation link one more time. I still had a little bit of my plane ticket left to fundraise for and a few other travel expenses. After posting, I got the rest of my plane ticket fundraise and a little money for travel expenses! The Lord provided above what I expected to get for this trip. It for sure is a blessing how the Lord provided through my community and my dad’s work! 

Desire

    The Lord put this desire in my heart to go to California. I first brought it up with my dad, like I did for the Puerto Rico trip as well. When I brought up going to California with one of my friends, she said I should really consider going because even though passions like traveling, we can really show the love of Jesus. God knows my love for traveling, and he can truly use that in his kingdom. I have had a passion for local ministering to people through coffee shops, blogging (can be local or throughout the world), and the grocery store where I work. 

    Another part of my desire for Circuit Riders was what I plan to do next year regarding leading a Bible Study and volunteering for campus ministry on Cornerstone's campus. I know the Lord will equip me to step more into leadership through this even past my time as a Cornerstone student. My years of being a college student are coming to an end, but my desire for lifelong ministry through whatever I do is just beginning. 

Fear

    I started having some dreams about the flight experience around the last week of May into June. Being beyond excited for Circuit Riders was an understatement. However, I did have fears too. What if I miss my flight or it is delayed? What if one of the bags I am bringing with me does not get approved by TSA? I did not have dreams during my Puerto Rico trip, but as I have been preparing for this trip, I have been having dreams. This will be my first time traveling alone by plane. Having these fears are common among travelers as many minor things can happen in airports. 

    I prayed seeking God's guidance in these dreams. I came to realize that I cared a lot about the small details of the trip. I remembered Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God". Sometimes in life, our thoughts are going so fast that we don't have the time to be still in God's presence. I needed to let God be in control of the trip as this was a trip I was taking for him. 

Spiritual Preparation

    The past month has been a long one since school has gotten out. I found myself having to really face the reality of where I have been without the psychology essay, the Integrated Statistics Research Project, or the CIHI Capstone to take up my time. Lamenting through grief has been where I have been and trying to overcome numbing is where I have been in the past month. The Lord has been very faithful in the past month. Recently with my trip out to Grand Rapids, I was reminded of the importance of our commitment to doing what we promise as well as our commitment to the Lord. This really challenges me to go forward in my life committed to glorifying the Lord even when it is challenging.  From my first mission trip in Puerto Rico, I remember going expecting to do a whole bunch of work not knowing that I would actually be poured into through the people there. I believe that will happen again when I am poured into by the leaders. I pray that transformation will occur through my time in Circuit Riders and that God will bless the times of others who go this year. 

    I have also noticed more of a spiritual battle the past month. I have had some really weird dreams lately. These dreams range from my past, present situations, and to the trip coming up. I have decided to fast from social media during my time before California as that has been a major distraction as well in my spiritual life. There has been a lot of excitement for the trip, but also a lot of time to think about the trip and some fears have come up. However, I am noticing God working through the peace I have received and what I have been learning the past month. I know where God calls us, we sometimes face resistance, and I believe that is the enemy trying to stop us. However, this calling is what God has prepared me for, blessed me in, and provided for me to do. 

Prayer points for Circuit Riders:

- The fullness of the Holy Spirit

        - Colossians 2:6-7

- Peace

        - Philippians 4:4-7

- Safe travels

        - Psalm 91

- Connection and community

        - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

- To know the love of Jesus reigns through us

        - John 3:16-17

        - 2 Corinthians 6:16

- To show the love of Jesus

        - Matthew 22:34-40