How did we end up here?
A month ago, on June 18th, I found myself in Black Mountain North Carolina on our church’s 4th annual mission trip. These trips are just a 5-7 day opportunity for us to go and serve wherever AIM is hosting them for the year. In every place, we meet new people and I always seem to form a connection with at least one of the leaders. Here in Black Mountain I met Kelly, a long time partner of AIM. Kelly was sharing her story with my friend Maia and I, and I got to hear all about the ins and outs of where Adventures has led her. This is where she begins to talk about Journey School- and that this fall, they will be launching in Italy.
“I’m going” I say, with sarcasm. After all, I have been studying Italian for the last year, just because what else is a girl to do in her free time? But Kelly doesn’t let the moment pass by.
“You should.” She says, with her strong conviction.
And here is where Maia enters. “AMANDA YES. YOU HAVE TO GO YOU MUST. IT HAS TO HAPPEN” Or something along those lines…
Of course, I am filled with immediate excuses. My life is in Iowa, and I can’t just pick it up and move away for three months. What about my dogs? The chickens? My job? The fact that friends and family are having babies while I’d be gone. I just don’t think it’s something I can do. But, I answered Kelly, and quieted Maia with my honest response.
“I will pray about it.”
That evening I found myself on fire watch, and I did what I said I would. I prayed. I journaled, I read the Word. And I knew- this is not for me. But the idea felt interesting enough, and I decided to just keep asking questions about it. At the very least, being connected to Kelly seemed great.
As we drove the long 14 hours back to Keokuk, I texted Kelly a lot of questions. But I still felt it. I can’t put myself in this group of 18-22 year olds as a super senior student. It just is not the right fit for me. We still talk about what I am looking for from this hypothetical trip, my strengths and weaknesses, and I still feel like it’s just not quite right. Time passes and I receive the text.
“Something to think about… Would you want to go as a co-leader?” Immediately something shifted within me. I was going. Right then, my heart said yes. But my head, as per usual, said “Now wait just one second. Let’s make sure we are where we need to be on this.”
I start asking questions. My contact info gets given to Seth Barnes Sr. I have a phone call with him, and I find out it’s not Italy. It’s Albania for two months and Italy for one. A little disappointed… but not deterred. I introduce the subject to my parents, my friends, my siblings, anyone who I know will hold my heart. I hear one resounding message. “go. Go. GO!”
More calls with Seth, another call with Kelly, so many many questions. I finally tell them, before I can do this, I need to meet with this other leader.
So I get in contact with Tammy.
Now I am reserved, I like to watch before I jump into anything, I take my time. I hear Tammy’s voice, and boom. We are friends. I know it in my gut. After my phone call with her, my heart has fully leapt into my throat. I am going. I know it.
I still don’t know what will happen with our youth ministry, who will take care of my mini-farm, how on earth I will pay for this. But I know. I am going.
Four weeks pass. I have an animal sitter, a plan in place for our youth services, and I am miraculously 75% funded 10 days after announcing I am going…
Turns out, when God asks you to go… He’ll make a way where there seemed to be no way.
So why am I doing Gapless Gap Year this Semester? The simple answer was because I told God I would follow Him wherever He sent me. And in September-November of 2025, it looks like that will be over seas leading Journey School.
Thanks for reading. 🙂 God bless you all
Amanda
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