Right about this time, 731 days ago I was on a plane landing in Romania.
Yes that’s right, two years ago I officially started my World Race.
It’s hard for me to put into words what the past two years has looked like other than I serve a good God.
I have the privilege to say yes to Him again and again, every day that I wake up.
So if I could talk to that 18 year old me, who is just about to land in Romania, what would I say?
I would say something like this,
“Sumer, you have no idea the joy that is coming.
Today is the start of the rest of your life.
Take advantage of everyday and lean on the Lord.
It is going to be hard, but it is so worth it.
You will fall in love with ministry and serving people in a way you never thought was possible.
Press into the community that is around you, because they are fighting in your corner.
Live everyday with an urgency to share the love that God has shown you.
Trust God, when you have no idea what to do next, wait on the Lord.
And lastly, look at His faithfulness, He promised from glory to glory.
Enjoy the next 731 with everything you have, walking in the freedom that the Father has given you, knowing whose you are”
In the last two years more has happened than I could have ever thought possible.
I visited and did ministry in 5 countries,
Lived in 3 of those countries,
Said yes to long term missions,
Moved back home for 9 months,
Moved to Guatemala,
Gotten to work and pour into World Race Gap year participants,
Started a kids program in the village I work in,
And that’s just a snapshot.
Who gets the credit?
I sure don’t want it to be me… it is all God.
He deserves the glory.
I have done a pretty bad job at posting blogs since being in Guatemala, but to sum it up, the words I wrote above are actually the things I’m speaking over myself now.
“Continue to walk in the joy of the Lord. Lean on the Lord for everything. It is hard, days are long, the cost is high, but it is worth it. Keep falling in love with ministry and serving people, there is so much more. Enjoy the times you have with community, we weren’t created to do life alone. Show people God’s love and don’t hold back. Trust the Lord, He has always been there to catch you. His faithfulness never ends. Keep walking in that sweet freedom because you know who’s you are.”
That wide-eyed 18 year old was ready for an adventure. She had no idea what it was going to look like, but for some reason said yes anyway.
Now this 20 year old is living that adventure. I still have no idea what the futures looks like, but now I’m saying yes because
I know the One who holds my life.
Life with the Lord is an adventure I will never get tired of.
I look at the last 731 days and see the Lord’s faithfulness in every second of it.
I look to the coming days knowing that He will be just as faithful.
I guess this marks an official two years on the field and a lifetime more!
Yes, yes, yes, to the Lord, for the rest of my life.
So proud of the person you have become. I can only imagine the good you are doing with the best leader there is.
So pumped for you Sumer! I’ve LOVED watching your journey. God is so good and faithful! Can’t wait to hear more and see all that you’ll do together!
Amen & amen & amen. God is sooooooo faithful. What a promise keeper!! So proud of you Sumer, and I cannot wait to watch the Lord continue to move in your life.
My darling girl. When you left on this new adventure it was all about my loss. I didn’t understand the gain and favor I was receiving from our Lord. Because of your surrender I know that we always be together through eternity no matter what happens to us in this crazy world we are now living in. Thank you for your yes to Him. It changes EVERYTHING.