Sometimes God Has a Different Plan in Mind Than We Do....

Wow, I can't believe I am actually writing this, but today was certainly a test of faith.  My team and I were refused entry into England, and after many hours of being detained in UK immigration and being questioned and searched, we were sent back to America.  Right now we are in El Paso trying to regroup.  The good news is that we are now being sent to Slovenia to serve there.  It has been an extremely long couple of days, but God has certainly had His hand on us and has kept us safe.  

This has been rough, but I am more grateful than I can say for all of the encouragement I have received through so many of you.  I am 100% serious when I say the support system I've been given through my family and friends is straight from God and has given me strength and drive to push through; it has been vital for getting me through this.  

To lighten the mood, I must share that apparently the church we are going to serve in Slovenia has been praying and asking for someone to come serve for 2 years.  We have learned many exciting things about this country and I really am excited to get to serve there.  My RA from freshman year actually served there when she did Youth in Mission and loved it.  Apparently, they are also big fans of sports, and I can't deny I LOVE THAT!! It's a really beautiful city surrounded by mountains and I hear the people are great as well (let's just hope that their border patrol is included in people, haha).

Sometimes things happen in life that are hard to understand, something like this being quite minimal compared to many of life's trials, but what is so great is that we don't have to understand.  To be honest, it's been tough for me, but there are truths I know in my heart that I can't deny.  I know that God loves me and my teammates, that He has walked this road with us every step of the way, and that where this door has been closed, He has been faithful in opening another.  God doesn't expect us to understand, He only asks for our obedience and faith and that we put all of our trust in Him.  Dwayne, Heather, and I have been praying and working this out together along with the Youth in Mission staff who have been very helpful and loving through everything.  God is with us and we are thankful for the door to Slovenia that has been opened.  We are trusting Him with every aspect of this.  Please continue to pray for God's hand of protection and that His will alone will be done.  I love all of you and am so extremely blessed by the encouragement and support.  I'll keep everyone posted!