Something I've really been struggling with in preparation with my trip is the lack of guys on my team. When I first signed up to interview for a passport trip I felt fairly led to the Thailand trip. It was a trip that would be working with victims of human trafficking, and I had always wanted to be in Thailand. However, I was stubborn and passed up that trip. Why? It was an all girls trip.
Spend all summer with only girls? No thanks. I get along better with guys, I always have. I need the friendship of guys. There is a very real reason I didn't join a sorority. 24/7 girl time is not my thing.
So I didn't sign up for that trip. I ignored my calling to an all girls team and registered to interview for the India trip.
But God is hilarious. He said, nope, I didn't call you to a co-ed team. So when I received my assignment for my team, I shouldn't have been surprised to see that there wasn't a single male name. I had been placed on an all girls team. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.
In the months leading up to my trip I've been getting to know the girls on my team via facebook stalking and constant group messaging. I fell in love with my teammates before I even met them, and I looked forward to meeting each and every one of them in person... But I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that there wouldn't be any guys serving with us. Being friends with guys just comes easier.
Then I arrived at Training Camp.
Actually, I didn't even get further than the airport before God started to work in me.
As members of various teams gathered in the Atlanta airport waiting to be picked up and taken to camp I met people that would be serving in various areas of the world. I met guys that would be serving on various teams in places like Africa, Honduras, and Nicaragua. And I was jealous.
For about 5 minutes.
Then at about the sixth minute God consumed me with what a blessing it is that there are no men serving on my team. What a distraction.
A man with a heart on fire for the Lord? That is an attractive thing. A man that is willing to step completely out of his comfort zone and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world? That is a beautiful thing. What? You love orphans? How kingdom minded of you. Lets get married.
A Godly man is attractive. And my God knows that. He knows that I would stumble and be distracted by a man serving him. So he removed that distraction.
I have met some great, hilarious guys the past few days of camp. Guys that love the Lord in the most beautiful ways, and I am better for knowing them. But tomorrow when we board planes to different areas of the world I am so incredibly happy that we will board ours without any men on our team. .
It will give me the chance to be receptive to what the Lord is doing in my life this summer, without the distraction of men around. It is already giving me a chance to grow with the fantastic, beautiful women that are on my team. It is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and listen to what God is saying. Godly men, however Christ centered, can be such a distraction from the work the Lord is doing. I am completely and continuously thankful to have been placed on an all girls team.
Why am I ever surprised that my God knows what he's doing?
Passporters taking over the Atlanta airport
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