Radio Silence

I know my blog has been silent for the last few months, but I finally sat down to write about what God has been doing. So here’s an update.

Coming home to Minnesota after my time on the World Race was not my first choice. I remember being in Costa Rica in April praying about what God had next and I kept hearing him say to go home and rest for a while. Neither of those things appealed to me and I wanted to say no. But I’ve come to see that, even if I don’t know why, God’s direction and timing are perfect and I’m better off simply obeying. 

So in May I arrived back in the States, had a short debrief with leadership in Georgia, then flew home to Minnesota to settle back in with my family. And that’s where I sit now, on the floor of my room in my parents’ house. 

Obviously this isn’t where I plan to stay long term. I’ve been wrestling with God about what He has next for me. Do I go back to teaching and put down roots somewhere? Do I pursue international missions, and if so, where? I wish I could tell you that I have big answers, but I don’t. The consistent answer I’ve been receiving from Him is, “Trust.” That’s hard when I’d rather have clear directions. Yet our God is faithful, trustworthy, and good. I KNOW I can trust him, even in the unknown and the waiting. 

During my time at home, I’ve gotten to know more people from my home church. I went on a backpacking trip to Colorado and spent a week in community hiking in the mountains.

I’ve started to build relationships with people I hadn’t really known before, both from church and from work. (I’ve been back at the Spam Museum working and it’s Spamtastic!)

And God has been showing me that even in small town Minnesota He’s still working! There is ministry everywhere, and He is letting me see it. There’s a group of Burmese people that meet in the same church building as us and they are planting churches and evangelizing all over the States, Myanmar, and other countries. I see intentional discipleship happening in my church with a push for more. There is Kingdom work here, too. 

Even though I’d rather be out in other countries exploring different cultures and seeing what God is doing out there, it’s beautiful and humbling to see it here at home. He’s teaching me that it doesn’t matter where I am, there is work to be done and He is inviting me into it. He’s inviting all of us into what He is doing around us! We just need to ask for eyes to see it. 

And now, after being home for a little over two months, I do have a small next step. Adventures in Missions has asked me to be a part of Serve Team this fall for the Squads that will be launching in Aug/Sept, and also for the final debriefs of Gap Year Squads. I’ve committed to being in Gainesville, GA from mid August through mid October. I will be helping organize the serve team volunteers as we cook, clean, worship, and do any other things needed for the Squads. It’s kinda like working at a summer camp. I am still getting details on what all this position entails, so I’ll update as they come. 

Since I will be heading up this group, AIM has set me up as an affiliate missionary which means that I will be fundraising for my time there. If you feel led to support me, check out this link – tax deductible, Venmo @alaynawood, PayPal alaynawood92, or reach out to me personally. 

I’m really excited to be back with some of my fellow alumni Racers from my squad and to serve in this way. It’s not a long term thing, but I know it’s a sweet open door from God during my time of waiting and being faithful where He has me. Please pray for me as I continue praying, serving, and trusting in this season, and pray for travel safety when I drive down Aug 13-14.