I originally planned on coming down to El Camino Academy to teach 5th grade for at least two years. However, I have experienced the reality of how God’s plans are sometimes different than our own original plans (Proverbs 16:9). While I truly believe and know I was down here in Colombia for this year by the will of God, I also believe and am confident, through much prayer and discernment, that God is calling me to get up and follow Him to another place that will grow, stretch, challenge, and equip me for that which He has planned for me in the future.
In the rest of this blog I will try and answer some potential questions you might have with this change.
So what is the change?
Starting January 2014 I will be participating in a mission trip called The World Race. This is through an organization called Adventures In Missions. Many of you may remember, this is the same organization that I went to Nicaragua with for a month in 2009 where God originally put a passion and desire in my heart to learn Spanish to be able to minister to the people of Latin America not just with actions but through words as well.
What is The World Race?
The World Race is a mission trip where participants travel
through 11 countries in 11 months.
Usually it takes place in continents such as Africa, Asia, and the Americas covering a wide span of cultures and languages. However, the route that I will be traveling is only in Latin American countries.It is the FIRST all Spanish route they have had. Since being in Colombia I have learned
a TON of Spanish and can hold a conversation with a person. After going on the
Amazon trip, I realized how much I want to get better at my Spanish in order to
teach children and adults about the love of Christ in Spanish. I know that this race will prepare me
not only in my language skills but also service skills in how to share the love
of Christ with people in Latin America in their heart language: Spanish.What countries will you be going to?
Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, & Honduras
Here's a link to the route: World Race January 2014: Route 1
It starts in January…so what will you do until then?
I plan on coming back to the states during the month of July. There is a possibility of returning to El Camino Academy for the first semester starting in August to keep doing ministry here and leading my disciple, Valentina, until I go on this venture. The other option would be to remain in the United States spending time with friends and family while having a job to save up for The World Race. The race costs $13,500 to participate (about the same amount that I had to raise for this year serving at ECA).
Do you have a plan after the race?
As of right now my heart is heavy and filled with sadness knowing that I will be leaving this country and its people that I have come to love so much for at least a year and a half. I have been talking with the director at El Camino Academy and absolutely love the vision and focus they have on teaching our students Servant Leadership. Beth Afanador, the director, has told me that the school wants to keep building and growing their service outreach program. The school is connected with many different types of Christian ministries around Bogotá and I have had the great experience of serving at them on some weekends during this school year.
My plan would be to go on The World Race, be equipped on how to work with different ministries in Latin America, come back with a toolbox full of ideas for our students, and help grow the service outreach program at El Camino Academy.
However, this is only a tentative plan, keeping in mind that God’s plans are different than mine. Even if it doesn’t work out that way, I do know that I am called to serve somewhere in Latin America and that this experience will help prepare me for what God has planned, whatever that may be.
Here are some ways you can be praying for me PLEASE:
-That God would make known to me what I should do in the fall
-If I do come back to the states for 6 months, that the transition will be smooth.
-God’s financial provision whether that is through me working, through donations, or both
-Strength to finish the year strong! The last day of school is May 30th and I’m not done with teaching these kids yet!
If you feel that God is calling you to financial support this trip here is how you can:
Go to www.adventures.org.
Click on the drop box of donate & then “World Race Participant”
Choose “Support a world racer”
Type Allison Mitchell
Then type the amount you would like to give. Then you can choose the option whether it’s one-time, monthly, quarterly, etc.
I will be home return to Nebraska July 3 either until August or December, depending on what my plans for the fall will be...so PLEASE pray for guidance on what to do with the awkward 6 months in between missions.
I will keep you updated on my plans for next semester when they become clearer. Again, thank you so much for all your love, support, and prayers.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
