If you received a support letter from me, you will likely also be receiving a copy of this letter in the mail. For those of you following my blog who may not get this letter in the mail, I wanted to make sure you were aware of everything going on and the things God is doing in my life. Blessing to all.
Dear Family and Friends,
What I'm about to share with you is probably going to come
as a surprise to most. I pray that you will read and accept this with an open
heart, mind and soul. I know that some of you may be confused, relieved,
understanding or just indifferent to the news. I simply hope that you will
support me in prayer as I continue to seek God's guidance.
After months of prayer, discernment, sleepless nights and
struggling days, I have come to the conclusion that God is no longer calling me
to pursue the World Race mission trip. This has not been an easy thing for me,
and I have not come to this decision lightly. I have no doubt that God called
me to the trip in the beginning. But I do, now, wonder if He intended for me to
actually follow through with it. I may never know why I was asked to walk this
path, only to have it take a sharp turn towards something else, something yet
unknown. But it is not my place to know why, only to follow where He leads.
God has used many things to bring me to this decision. In
order for this mission trip to occur, certain things needed to come together
and fall in line. I believe that if God is in the midst of something and He
really wants it to happen, He will make a way. The path towards the World Race
was closing, not opening. Also, over the past few months, deep places in my
heart became quite unsettled. Eventually, I stopped to seek out the true source
of those feelings. With the guidance of respected and trusted Christians, as
well as personal time spent seeking God's will, I have seen that following the
path to the World Race is not what God wants from me.
I don't know what God has in store for my life next. He has
closed this door and given me peace about the things that have occurred thus
far. I also have peace knowing that He does have a plan for my life; a plan
that is far greater than anything I could ever imagine for myself. He has used
this experience to help me learn and grow in all areas of my life. I hope that
you can be supportive and understanding in the work that God is doing in my
life.
For those of you who have supported me on this journey, I
graciously thank each of you. You have touched my life and I am humbled by your
faith and love. For those who made financial donations, Adventures in Missions
is unable to refund money because of laws regarding non-profit organizations.
Your donations will be used to further support the World Race ministry in
reaching people for Christ. I feel personally responsible for repaying those
who made a sacrifice and commitment to this trip on my behalf. If you would
like to have your donation repaid to you, I would be more than happy to take
care of that, so please don't hesitate to let me know. To request repayment,
please email or mail me by May 1st with your name, amount to be repaid and your
address. (meg.fitzwater@gmail.com; 4111 Whitford Circle #909/ Glen Allen, VA
23060)
Thank you, to each and every one of you, for your prayers,
support and understanding hearts as I continue seeking God's will on this sometimes
difficult journey of life. I pray that God blesses you the way that you have
enriched and blessed the lives of those around you.
"To sinful patters of behavior that never get confronted and changed
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed ---
Until weeks become months
And months turn to years,
And one day, you're looking back on a life of
Deep intimate gut-wrenching honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilerating risks you never took,
Sacrificial gifts you never offered
Lives you never touched,
And you're sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul,
And forgotten dreams,
And you realize there was a world of desperate need,
And a great God calling you to be a part of something bigger than yourself --
You see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling
You never got out of the boat."
--Gregg Levoy as quoted by John Ortberg, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat pg 34-35
This quote was part of a lesson at my Bible Study recently and it's certainly got me thinking. I've
never read this book, but I certainly have a desire to now. I refuse to
live my life in such a way that when I'm old I will look back on it and
regret the things I didn't do. I want to live radically for Christ
everyday.
Sometimes I feel like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus. All the disciples were watching and must have thought he
had lost his mind!!! I mean, ok, so Jesus was walking on water. As if
that wasn't crazy enough, now Peter thinks he can too?! I feel that way
with the World Race. People must think that I'm crazy! In fact, some
have told me so! Why this trip? Why now? Why 11 months? Why not
something easier and less dramatic and something cheaper and shorter?
Well, let's recap a little on Peter and this incredible life experience had and compare it to my own meager life.(If you would like to read the actual scripture instead of my own worded story version, you can find it in Matthew 14:22-33)
Peter: On a boat, in the midst of a storm, Jesus is walking (ON WATER!!) towards the disciples.
Megan: In the midst of life's storms, Jesus is always coming to my rescue.
Peter: Peter asks Jesus to call him. To test his faith. To do something amazing in his life.
Megan: I came to a point in my life where I said, Jesus, I want to
live for You. I want to put ALL my faith in You. So Jesus, call me, to
whatever it is you would have for my life.
Peter: Jesus says, "Come" One word. And Peter was faced with an
HUGE test of faith. Walk on water. Step out of your comfort zone (the
boat) and trust Me.
Megan: Jesus said come to Me by going on a mission trip. THIS
mission trip. Take a HUGE step of faith. Do something radical. Trust ME.
Peter: He stepped out in faith. He trusted Jesus. He walked on water towards Christ.
Megan: Well, here I am. I've stepped out in faith that this is where Christ wants me and what He wants to do with my life.
Peter: He doubted and felt himself sinking, and cried out to Jesus. And Jesus was there.
Megan: I doubt all the time!! I have LOTS of fears and doubts
about this trip. I have no idea how to raise all this support. Or how
I'm going to be gone for 11 months. In my fear and doubt, I cry out to
Christ! And NO MATTER WHAT, CHRIST IS THERE.He told me to come to Him. He's certainly not going to let me sink!
Peter: This radical experience in Peter's life served 2 purposes. To
challenge and improve his own faith in Christ and also to help others
along in their faith. By witnessing this awesome awesome miracle and the display of faith that Peter showed, the other disciples reaffirmed their belief that Jesus was the Son of God.
Megan: That is exactly what the World Race is going to
do. It will not only challenge and strengthen my own walk with Christ,
the goal is to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus!!!
Now, I am certainly no Peter. I'm not attempting to walk on water
without even hesitating. I've had months of prayer and discernement and
questions, followed by months of preparation and I'm still praying and
asking questions and doubting. But my doubts are not in Christ. My
doubts are in my own abilities. My own weaknesses and failures. Christ
is perfect in my doubt. He is perfect in my imperfection. He is steady
and strong. He will pick me up when I feel like I'm sinking. And I'm
sure He'll ask me, as He asked Peter, "Why are you doubting Me?"
So, here I am. I am getting out of my boat. Out of this comfort
zone I call life. I am going to walk towards Christ and follow His
calling for my life.
In order to give everyone a better idea of what I will be doing on this 11 month journey God is sending me on, I copy-and-pasted some information from the World Race website. As we travel into each country, we will be faced with different cultures and ideologies, which will in turn present unique ways to reach out to people and share our faith. We will have the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and serve them for Christ. While in each country, we will have jobs and tasks and service projects that we will be doing on AIM mission bases or within the communities, but also just living for Christ and serving all the people we come into contact with. This can include anything from feeding orphans, working with victims of sex trafficking, teaching English, or just witnessing to people we meet on the street. The possibilities of what God has in store are absolutely endless!!!
You can always check out the WR website for even more information!
www.theworldrace.org
Ireland
Ireland boasts a heritage of
Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the lifeless display of faith
reveals that this nation is farther from God than ever. Rampant
alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need for hope. Through
sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub ministry, and the
relationships that just happen along the way, the World Race
reintrodues a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture
Ukraine
Caught between its
past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be
accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs.
Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire
throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We
think so.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though
strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a
strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an
inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live
life with the gypsies, and more.
Israel
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of
a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve in this new
World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.
Egypt
Egypt is a country
rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people are no less rich
in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by the past and
under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to hear of the
freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces give the
land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in need of
relationship and hope.
Kenya
Who hasn't heard of
Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical,
artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Masai bush, the Nairobi
metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a country diverse yet unified
in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth
and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, the World
Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even
after we leave.
Uganda
From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African
people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands,
home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and
unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church
planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further
the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.
.Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World
Race experience, your team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for
a new mission field. He may lead you someplace in the middle of a
buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found on a map. Either
way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and following him
with true abandon. Uncover more of your inheritance...
Thailand
With nearly
two million people estimated to be stuck inside of prostitution in
Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism.
Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the countryside. Thailand's
sure to capture your heart.
Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides
known to man where over one third of the country's population was
slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia
are thirsty for hope.
Pioneer Asia
Ask God where to go and do
what He tells you. It'll be one of the most adventurous and memorable
months of ministry that you'll have on the Race. Back to Thailand or
Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or Malaysia... God could lead you
anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you willing to abandon your last
month on the Race to Him?
Yes, it may seem cliché. But it's really how I feel about this. This is no ordinary mission trip. And I certainly do not expect ordinary things to come of it.
I can list a number of things I think will happen.
I think that I will...
*absolutely LOVEthe work that we're doing.
*extremely missmy family and friends
*see God move in miraculous ways.
*at times become tired and weary.
*develop amazing friendships within the community of my team.
*learn what it means to unconditionally rely on God.
*be completely overwhelmed *have an outpouring of Christ's love through me into the lives of others
*feel God in a way more real and present in my life than ever before
*have my faith and my life stretched and tested.
*experience full ranges of emotion.
*be humbled and constantly in awe at the things going on around me.
*be changed FOREVER by this experience.
This list could go on and on and on.
Yet as I write this list I realize... -I will do NOTHING and GOD will do EVERYTHING.
I fully expect the unexpected.
Sure, all the things I think will happen very well may occur. But I do not want to put my God in a box. My God is HUGE!!! I will not underestimate Him or His POWER in my life and on this journey. I will not confine Him to my mere human expectations. I am surrendering my expectations to HIM.
God, do with my life as You choose. Move in me. Use me. Take me. Send me. Let this not be 'my mission trip'. This is 'Your mission trip'. Do the unexpected in my life. Radically move and change me. God, I tear down all walls and I'm shedding this 'box' we so often put you in. Lord, I lay my life before You. Let Your will become my only way. I know that you will do things in my life and on this journey that I cannot fathom!!!
I FULLY EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!!!
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6
I could answer this blog question by telling you stories about my childhood and my past and how I became a Christian and all the things God has done in my life. But I won't. Because even though those things are important, they aren't the essence of this story. Instead, I'm going to tell you about the past year of my life, because that's when God really started to move.
Last December, I graduated from college with high hopes and big dreams. I moved from West Virginia to Richmond, Virginia. My plan was to live in Richmond for a while, maybe head to DC, find a great job in my career field, and eventually go to grad school. I had a serious boyfriend and I expected life to continue being just wonderful. I hadn't been serious about church for a long time, but I was starting to make God a priority in my life again. Everything felt perfect and I was sure my life was going to turn out exactly how I had planned.
Dude, was I in for a rude awakening!!
The job didn't come along. The relationship ended. Grad school seemed like a distant dream.
I was miserable.
I finally began to realize, God was not my #1 priority. He was just sort of... there. I had been living for myself, not for God. I had been following my plans, not His. And that had to change. I began seeking Him actively - yearning to know Him and His will for my life. He brought me to a place of pure contentment. During that time (and still today!), I clung to Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." I learned to be completely satisfied with my life, as is. To trust that wherever God took me, that's where I was supposed to be.
The result? Life changing.
My whole attitude, outlook, mindset, it all changed. I became the positive, upbeat, cheery, kind-hearted person that had been buried deep inside.
And that's when God started calling me to missions. He spoke into my life and I felt the Spirit saying, 'Megan, I know you're living right again and putting me first and you're finally content, but now, it's time to do something for me, and it might not be so easy or comfortable.'
I had no idea what this meant, but I kept being content and letting God move if and when He chose to do so. I used my time to grow closer and closer to Him. I felt Him calling me to missions. Telling me to 'Go! Serve!' There were signs scattered in my everyday life. Conversations, Bible studies, church sermons, alone time - I knew what God was saying, but I didn't have the details yet.
When I found the World Race online, it basically shook me to the core. Everything God had been hinting at in my life, and all the things I'd been seeking from God seemed to be wrapped up in this one trip. I prayed and sought Him more than ever, trying to make sure, is this really it? And yes, this was it. Through prayer, conversations with other Christians and some really amazing ways, God gave me the peace, contentedness and confirmation that this is where He was leading.
One of the greatest bits of wisdom I received, as I was coming to the final decision to apply for this trip versus searching for something else, came in the form of this statement, "Don't be afraid to fail." From that I learned - If God wants you to do this, you'll be accepted and He'll provide the funds and the means. If this isn't what He wants you to do, then it won't happen. But putting yourself out there and not being accepted, or 'failing' is ok, because it still brings you a step closer to God and figuring out His calling in your life.
So I stepped out in faith. And I'm letting God do the rest. I know it's going to be a long and trying journey before, during and even after the trip. But as it says in Romans 8:28-31,
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Ireland
Ukraine
Romania
Israel
Egypt
Kenya
Uganda
Pioneer Africa 
Thailand 
Cambodia
