Life as we know (especially right now) is not perfect, curveballs are thrown at us constantly, and not everything goes the way we want it to go. About a year ago I was sitting on the same computer I am right now typing this, filling out my application for World Race Gap Year. 3 continents, and 9 months of overseas mission and adventure. I was going to be going to Swaziland, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Cambodia. I could not wait, it sounded like the perfect time ever. But as I said, curveballs are thrown our way and now here I am talking about the changes made to Gap Year 2020!!
Honestly, the past few months have been super hard. Uncertainty of what the future holds, difficulty with friends and family, senior year ending so abruptly, mental struggles, people telling me there is no way I will be taking a gap year and constant worry of what will actually happen with my gap year. I was running myself crazy with all the negativity and worry and I shut down. I don’t know quite why I am including all of this on the blog but I felt I needed to put it out there. Maybe for me to finally open up??? Maybe to point out that a screen and social media show a completely different story than what is actually going on? To show that God has a plan in and through you and me no matter the circumstances? I don’t know but here I am typing it all out.
Exciting News!!
After all of that said, I do have some awesome news. We received an email two days ago with the plan for gap year 2020! In September, I will be moving to Georgia! For the first 3 month of my Gap year me and my squad will live on the Adventures in Missions base in Gainesville, GA. During this time we will have teachings on missional training, leadership development, and discipleship. Mornings will look like devotionals and teaching time. In the afternoon we will do community outreach in Georgia just as we would do overseas but just here in the US. We would have the nights and weekends as off days! Once the new year hits, we will launch overseas and continue the rest of our gap year internationally. Our route is most likely to change but countries that do plan on opening for 2021 include: South Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, and Costa Rica. This option offers us the potential to be so much more ready for when we hit the field in January. My squad will hopefully stay the same as long as most of our squad chooses to go down to Georgia. If not, we may have to merge with another squad.
I am at so much peace with this change, because as I was reminded last night, God knew this was going to happen when he called us here last summer. He has a big plan for us. He wouldn’t pull us out of something good, without putting us into something so much better.
If anyone wants to reach out to me about my trip or to just talk feel free because I would love to talk! You can reach me by email ([email protected]) or by phone (716-261-0902)
*The cost of this trip is not going to decrease because the cost of living in Georgia is far more expensive than living overseas. *
How can you help?:
- Pray for me and Encourage me: Feel free to reach out to me by email or text: 716-261-0902. It is not going to be an easy road ahead, but it will be worth it. That being said, I need you guys !
- Share: share my journey, blog and story with others !
- Donate: You can donate by using the link at the top or by venmo-ing me @morgapplegate. The money covers my transportation, food, and housing 🙂 Any amount will help me reach my goal !
You are going to ROCK whatever you do!!
Thank you for sharing so authentically how you’ve been doing through all of this! Continue to press into the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Glad to hear there are plans in place for you and your group, sweetie. Sometimes life can be topsy turvy, to be sure. However, always remember when God is in charge, just roll with it, “ this too shall pass”. Look what He is doing in your life, as one example of his wonderful vision for your future! Love and God Bless you sweet girl.