The Next Step

I have been staring at this screen for the past fifteen minutes unable to write anything. So, I finally decided that I should try to make some progress and see what comes of it.

First and foremost, I have made a lot of very tough decisions this past week. These are decisions that have been made after weeks on my knees in prayer. The Lord has been speaking to me for the past three weeks that He wants me to follow Him in complete obedience and surrender. He placed such a heavy burden on my spirit that it was time for me to move on from YWAM and follow Him however He leads me. I have prayed earnestly on this decision for the past three weeks. I have brought it before the Lord and asked for His guidance and complete clarity. In these past weeks, He has only further confirmed that this is His voice speaking to me. I am amazed at seeing His hand in this and using person after person and scripture after scripture to further lead me into the path He has laid before me.

Logically, I am aware that this decision doesn't make sense considering I made plans to be at YWAM for the duration of my trip to India and I love everyone at my base and in my school so much. . . but God's will does not always make sense to us in the beginning. I have shed so many tears over this request of obedience from the Lord. These people have become my family and I am going to miss them so much, but God has made His will for me incredibly clear and I have to follow.

I am also aware that not everyone is going to agree with my decision and not everyone is going to support me, but that is a small price to pay if it means that I am being obedient to the will of my Father. Ultimately, regardless of whether people agree or understand, I am accountable to God and I can't stay at YWAM when I know He is calling me elsewhere. It is my prayer that you all know how much I love you and that it is never my wish or intention to ever disappoint you all through the decisions I make. With that being said, again I must say that I have to follow God's will for me no matter the price. 

This school has blessed me so much in the past two months I have been here and I love the people here an incredible amount, so please know that this decision was not an easy one to make. I had a conversation with my school leader Friday night about my decision. I am so blessed to be leaving on good terms and in unity with the school. They are going to pray over me as a school tomorrow and give me time to share with everyone my heart and what the Lord is calling me to. My parents, as well as my church leaders back home, are supporting this decision, which is even more of a testament to the fact that our God is a God of unity. I am so incredibly blessed by all of these people.

As for the next step, it is not time for me to come back to America yet. I have no intention of coming home before my previously scheduled flight at the end of November. God has orchestrated so perfectly an opportunity for me to serve at CICM in Damoh. My church family and my parents have an amazing partnership with the organization. They have offered me the opportunity to serve in the orphanage they run for three weeks. My flight from Delhi leaves this Tuesday at six in the morning. I will be flying into Jabalpur and from the airport it is a three hour car trip to Damoh.

So, I am now across the world from my family and my comfort zone with absolutely no plans beyond the next three weeks of my life. Yet my plan is to have no plans and allow the Lord to show me where He wants me. I am at a place where I am willing to go anywhere and do anything if it means walking in obedience to Him. Talk about a leap of faith. It's insanely nerve-wracking, but my Father knit me together and laid out my steps before I was even thought about by anyone. When I think about it in that context, me not knowing where I will end up four or five weeks down the road doesn't seem as big of a deal. He is faithful and I am excited to discover what He is calling me to.

I love you all so much and I want to thank you for all of the support and love you have shown me these past two months. It truly is overwhelming to think about all of the people who God has blessed me with. I thank Him every day for all of you and I pray that somehow my time in India is also a growing experience for everyone back home as well. In reading this I hope you are able to see my heart and know that I am truly wanting to just follow after the Lord in obedience, wherever that may be.


I still plan on blogging on a regular basis. Also, if you have any questions for me about culture or anything else I would be more than happy to answer you.

I love you all!!!!

God Bless,

Elyssia