Can you believe that 2020 is almost over? Incredible, isn’t it? I sure am ready for life to get back to more like it was before everything changed. Lord willing, may that come soon.
However, some of the changes brought on by a worldwide quarantine haven’t been all bad, in fact, some of them have been quite nice. I have found myself being more intentional with my time, savoring face-to-face interactions with friends, and doing more things outdoors. I’ve read some good books (I recommend The Insanity of God by Nik Ripkin and The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster), listened to some podcasts (I recommend The Bible Project and VOM Radio), invested more time in my family, and simply sat in silence with God.
And yet, while lots of things have changed, some things, like the callings the Lord has on my live, hasn’t changed at all. Even though I am at home here in Virginia and not overseas somewhere, I am still incredibly passionate about mission work around the world. My lifelong heroes have always been the Christians who have bravely lived and died for their faith, those persecuted in their own countries, and those who have left everything to tell others about Jesus. Many a day I am encouraged by how God in His great goodness has sustained Christians through whatever the devil and this fallen world have tried to throw at them. The global church, especially the persecuted church, as well as reaching the lost in every nation are frequently in my prayers.
I often ask the Lord for clear direction about where and how in missions He has purposed for me to serve, but He always seems to bring me back to this: praying for the global church and faithfully walking in whatever He has placed before me, and being willing to change my plans to His at a moment’s notice. Whether He has me traveling the world assisting missionaries for eleven (excuse me, five and a half) months, leading a mini-Bible study for my younger siblings, or serving at church, there is beauty in faithfully serving where you are planted.
For the past several months, that has looked for me like actively and intentionally engaging with my family at home. But now, that season is about to change because in January 2021 I am headed to Gainesville, GA for a discipleship program with Adventures in Missionaries. CGA, which stands for Center for Global Action, will focus on discipleship and practically living it out in community. A focus will be on missionary work, not only in the international sense but also as a way of life, of bringing the kingdom of God to everyone around me and seeking to bring heaven to earth in every aspect of life.
I am excited for the future because I believe that God is good and whatever He calls me to will be beautiful. Throughout my whole life I have had the call to support the international church and to reach the lost, and while I am exhilarated at the thought of overseas missions, I also believe that secluding missions to only sending people overseas is shirking responsibility. It is my deep desire to take every day as an opportunity to bring the kingdom of God on earth to those around me, whether in Africa or my hometown. And I am excited to be discipled in that very thing at CGA come January.
If you would like to financially help support me during this season of discipleship, you can donate by clicking the orange donate button on my blog. I need to raise a total of $5,950 and currently I am only about 25% funded. The funds raised will cover my housing and the discipleship courses. I will also be getting a part-time job while I am in Gainesville to cover food and personal expenses, as well as an opportunity to put what I am learning into practice, and so your donations will be greatly appreciated.
I am grateful for everyone who followed along with me on my World Race journey (if you are new to following my blogs, please check out my WR blog at www.christymcfarland.theworldrace.org) and am looking forward to sharing my CGA experiences with you as well.
