The Lord has me in Scotland preaching and covering for our Missionary, Don Clough. Scotland has been a place the Lord has burdened me about since I was redeemed in 2013. I could never have dreamed the Lord would give me the opportunity to preach and teach in Scotland when I was first saved. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the church here and a dear missionary we support. The people in the church are kind and friendly.
I remember in 2013 when the Lord began working on my heart about being a missionary only months after my salvation. First, the Holy Spirit led me to surrender to Europe, and I believed that might be God's direction for my future ministry, but it only took a few years for me to see that was not it. I then submitted to Africa, and that was not easy, but after visiting Botswana on my first mission trip in 2017, that also did not seem to be the direction God wanted me long term.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. The Lord gives many burdens, but a burden is different from a calling. Paul wrote about many of his burdens, and even Jesus had many burdens, but they also had a course and direction to follow, which sometimes didn't directly align with their burden.
In 2018, just before completing my studies, I had a recruiter trying to get me into China as a teacher. I wasn't sure if it was from the Lord or not since it seemed to fall on my lap. The goal was to be ready and willing to go where ever and whenever. I spent a few months preparing myself, and I surrendered to China, but it soon seemed it wasn't God's direction either as the doors to China closed.
In 2019 I visited the Middle East. I served with many preachers and missionaries there. This was the last place (in my flesh) I would desire to go and live. Since 2019 I have visited many Muslim countries, and God has allowed me to serve in many local churches along with helping missionaries in these places.
Spending extended periods on the field has helped me understand the culture and regions better. My heart desires to learn the language and reach Muslims in these dark corners of the world with the gospel. I believe that is ultimately God's calling for my life.
For now, I continue to do my best to help churches in the USA with videos that can be used for outreach and other resources I am blessed to serve in countries of my heritage.
Acts 1:8 teaches believers to reach their inner circles and then even unto people groups that are foreign to them. Seeing this happen in my own life is exciting. I am praying for lasting fruit and not just the opportunity to preach.
I tell you all this because since God gave me a new life in Christ in 2013, He has continued to do that good work that He promised (Phil. 1:6). He gave me a vision of my purpose in Him and living out that vision is the greatest reward I could be given. I want to see all come to Christ, especially those who live in dark and suppressed countries.