“How did this happen?” to “Wait, what about Argentina?”

I would like to say this story started less than two weeks ago, but in reality, it began about a year and a half ago. 

August of 2019, month 8 of my race, I spent about 3 weeks in Argentina. This was the month I fell in love- in love with the culture, the country, the food, and most importantly the people, who quickly became family. That month, I knew God gave me a beautiful gift. I knew that He was going to bring me back there and provide a beautiful life that was better than anything I could imagine. So, I grasped on to this gift tight, too tight. I held on for dear life and made everything in my life point towards going back. 

I took the gift and ran with it. Okay Lord, if this is where you want to take me then I will do everything in my power to make it happen. 

Funny how we like to take control over things we are gifted and call it ownership. Maybe that is just me. I knew I wanted nothing more than to be back in Argentina and be with the people I loved so much. But, instead of trusting God with His promise to take me back in His timing, I thought I could make it happen myself if I just believed in it enough and held on to it tight enough. 

I came home from the race, got a great job, and paid off student debt. I learned Spanish, practiced songs in Spanish, created ministry ideas, kept my head down, and pointed everything in my life towards going back to Argentina. All of those things were not bad in themselves, and have helped me grow in countless ways. But in all of this, I became so focused on the gift that I forgot about the Giver. 

I was like a little kid who was so excited about the gift, I grabbed it and ran, instead of asking my Father how to use it, or even why He gave it to me in the first place. What I didn’t realize is the gift was only one of many He wanted to give, I just needed to let Him. 

At the beginning of January 2021, I came to Georgia to visit friends and be around the World Race community that I love so much. My only intention was to find rest, and remember what it was like to live in this community again and help wherever I could. 

Over the next two weeks, the Lord so sweetly took the time to remind me who I am, to remind me that He loves me, and to remind me of the plans He has for me. He also asked me to let go of my death grip on Argentina. 

I cried. A lot. I thought letting go of control meant I couldn’t have this gift I so desperately desired. But I let go anyway because I know the character of God. I know He loves me, I know He is good, and I know His plans and timing are better than anything I can create for myself. So therefore, I can trust Him. I can trust that if He is asking me to let go it is because He has something more for me. 

What I realized is that God asked for it back, not because He didn’t want me to have it, but because He wanted me to have the fullness of it, and I didn’t have the capacity to hold it yet. In his love, He wanted to hold it for me, while He increased my capacity before giving it back to me. That is a good good father. 

After two weeks of God reminding me who I am, he then asked, “Okay, do you trust me? Are you ready?” 

This question came through the voice of my leader who asked, “How spontaneous are you feeling?” 

That question was asked on Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday evening I called my leader and said, “Yes, I am in. I am terrified and shaking, but nothing in my spirit is saying no.” 

Thursday I was calling my family and quitting my job, Friday evening I was on a plane back to California to pack my bag and say goodbye to my family. By Sunday evening, I was on a plane back to Georgia, and when I landed Monday morning, I jumped straight into leader training.

While it was a whirlwind of emotions, between myself, my family, friends, and my job, I knew within the depths of my spirit that God not only invited me into this but is going before me in all of it. 

Now I get to spend the next three months with wide open hands, taking everything I have been preparing for Argentina and getting to utilize and grow these gifts God has given me, in ways I never could have possibly dreamed for myself. I get to practice Spanish while immersed in a Spanish speaking country. I get to learn how to disciple young adults. I get to learn many of the skills I will need to hold the fullness of my dream and I get to do it in Costa Rica with 18 AMAZING other people who are also choosing into this life of serving. (more to come on what we will actually be doing!) 

HOW GOOD IS GOD. I find myself saying that at least 3 times a day. Sometimes hundreds. 

So am I going to Argentina? Wow, I sure hope so. I really believe I am. When? I don’t know. But what I do know is that when God does finally bring me there, it will be because He has prepared the way. And I know it will be better than anything I could have created for myself. 

So for now, I get to go to Costa Rica. I get to step into crazy faith every day. I have no idea what my days hold, but I know Who holds them and that excites me. 

I still can’t believe He has entrusted these 17 amazing humans to me to lead further into His love, but I am incredibly honored and taking each step with open hands and a full, full heart. 

Thanks God. 

If you would like to be a part of this mission and partner with me financially I still need to raise about $4,000! You can donate here or you can venmo me @jordan329 🙂  

(**fyi, once the bar at the top of the page reaches $18,700, it will switch over to a new goal amount of $3,000. If you have questions about this, please let me know, I am happy to answer!!)