God wants to work through you!

As I write this, I am sitting half-way across the world from where I call home. I am with 4 other people from my college, and we have come here to study Turkish, teach English, and make friends. A fantastic 5 weeks it has begun to be! However, believe it or not, four weeks ago I was not planning on being here. I will be posting updates about the trip as we continue, but for now I want to share some background of how I got here.

Just one month ago, I stopped in to the office of the director of student activities at my college, just to quickly tell him something. After talking for a couple of minutes, Noah said, "I'm so glad you stopped in, because I needed to talk to you about something." My face conveyed my confusion, and he proceeded with, "Grace, you really need to consider going to Turkey."

One week prior, after discussing my crumbled plans for the summer, Noah had told me that a spot opened up on team Turkey and I would love going. I quickly explained that it was not feasible this year, but he suggested I think about it. I agreed, but later gave it no second thought whatsoever. So, when it came up again, I was completely surprised.

Again I proceeded to explain to Noah all of the reasons that I couldn't justify going to Turkey, primarily because of finances. As he listened, his expression said, "I understand-- God's not big enough for that."


I was already a bit convicted! Noah replied with all the reasons I would love going to Turkey, and said that if I could get the money, they would be more than glad to have me join the team. My required summer class could be rearranged, and we would leave on May 4-- just 29 days from the day of this conversation. All of my excuses refuted, I agreed to call my mom and pastor and see what we could do.

To my surprise, my mom agreed right away, thinking it would be a great opportunity and explaining the benefits of the experience aligning perfectly with my major and minor. She said she would send the documents for my passport renewal the next morning.

I then emailed the missions director of my home church, explaining that I had no peace about [or finances toward!] going on the trip to the Philippines which I had planned on joining. I told him about the Turkey opportunity that was practically thrown into my lap and asked what he thought about it. He replied that it was not a problem; in fact, he thought it would behoove me to take advantage of such a great opportunity that would allow me to work with different people and prepare me for what I plan to do in the future.

That Easter weekend, I had a discussion about it with the my pastor at my extension church. He agreed that it was a unique and incredible opportunity that would grow me as the Lord used it to prepare me for future ministry. Then, he mentioned that since my recap presentation of my NYC trip had been rescheduled to the following week, I could present the Turkey trip at the same time and the church would give a love offering.

At this point, I was so amazed at the Lord's guidance! Just days before, I had looked at my calendar and the amount of time until summer. Remembering my many summer plans and realizing how, one by one, each had crumbled, I struggled to see how the Lord would make my path clear for the next couple of months. I didn't even have a plane ticket to leave school, nor did I have the finances to pay for one due to my required summer course. Now, I saw my Father clearly directing me to go to Turkey, and signed the commitment forms just four days after being asked to consider going.

I emailed my home pastor and let him know all the things that had happened over those four days, asking what he thought of it all. Not surprisingly by this point, he responded enthusiastically. He was excited to see the Lord's working in every step, and was in full support of me going to Turkey. Although my church was already raising funds for several special mission trips, they would send me a little support right away.

Over the next three weeks, I watched God working. It began with the check I received from a man who works in the business office of my home church. He and his wife, whom I did not even personally tell about the trip, had matched my church's support for me!

Next, I gave the presentation in my extension church on a night when only about 25 people in the church attended. I prayed the Lord would show Himself strong through that, and that He would take the glory so that I could see that He truly willed me to go on the trip. The next weekend, I learned $350 had come in the love offering. Sunday morning, another $100. The treasurer told me I could sign for the $450 check after the evening service, and it would be sent to me school that week. As I signed the check, he asked me how much more I needed for the trip. I said, "With this and what has come from my home church, I still need about $1600." Leaving me astounded, his response was simply, "Grace, this check is not $450. With tonight's offering included, it's $1228." I stood stunned. I remember thinking, "Wow. God wants me  to go to Turkey."

The next evening, the girls in my dorm rejoiced with me and continued to fervently pray for the rest of my funds [I was still in need of $700] to be provided. All across campus, students all semester struggled to raise the necessary funds for their trips, and I was asking for it within three weeks.

No less than eight hours later, I found a check in my mailbox for $1500. I again found myself speechless! I now had $800 over what I was expected to receive. As my heart overflowed with gratitude and awe of my Father, I shared the news with Noah and the man in charge of all of our school trips. They were both as amazed as I was, as three days before, our team funds were tight and we were not expected to have the income to match our outgo.

Although this post is long, these are just the bold details of the Lord's guiding and providing for this trip. I have easily spent hours sharing with people the greatness of my God, just based on this one circumstance! The Lord's timing and provision again prove too incredible for words.

As I mentioned, I will begin posting updates about the trip on this page. Please pray for the five of us as we continue ministering to souls in Antalya!