Proverb 16:9

“In his heart a man plans his course but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverb 16:9

This verse was sent in a text message by one of my very best friends Kayla when I was in high school. Only God knew this would become a verse I live my every day by!

Given my heart for Kenya, I had every intention in graduating college and spending some time in Kenya as soon as possible. However, God is doing some very interesting things in my life currently. I sent in a "Send me more information" type form to www.TeachOverseas.org  last week to get more information about teaching for a full school year. Teach Overseas places people in classrooms of foreign countries to teach conversational English or those with specific degrees can teach content-specific classes in certain places (one of those "certain places" being Africa). They have some summer positions they fill and some year-long positions as well. I filled out everything in hopes of getting more information about teaching in Africa for a full year! I had no idea what God had in mind...

I received a phone call the VERY next day! I missed the call because they called when I was in church but they left me a message. I excitedly returned their call and left them a message because their office was closed by the time I had the chance to call them back. Finally, we made contact on Thursday! I talked to Emily, an extremely sweet girl from Teach Overseas. After telling her where my heart was, she told me she maybe had some sad news... They only have summer positions and do not have year-long positions for teachers in Africa... She continued about the other opportunities they offered teaching in other countries but, honestly, I mentally closed the door. I remember Emily saying something about she would email me the information about the year-long positions in other countries but I had no intention of looking too closely at them.

Friday, Emily sent me the information and I remember seeing her email pop up on my phone but, again, dismissed the thought of looking at the information.

After sleeping in on Saturday, I ate some breakfast then spent some great time with the Lord! After spending time in prayer, I logged onto my computer and checked my email. The message from Emily was there of course. I went ahead and opened it and looked at the list. She was right- none were African countries... I started at the top of the list with one of the -stans. Any country that ends with "stan" scars me so that was NOT an option! I opened the next one- under the Ministry section it read "Very sensitive". I thought to myself, could I keep my mouth shut when I knew Jesus was the answer? Probably not! Thus, Vietnam was out of the running as well! The next one is a 99% Muslim nation- Turkey is not for me either! My thoughts at this point were, "Alright God, three down, four to go! Keep making it clear that I'm NOT supposed to be in any of these places!" Well, after a prayer like that God made something VERY clear... that I needed to seek Him because His plans are not my plans! I then looked at Russia, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic. Each of them seemed to draw my attention in some way or another! In Russia, I'd be teaching at the university level! Hungary is one of the most depressed nations in the world- they are looking for teachers who can bring the joy and hope that comes with a relationship with Christ! I could do that! In Slovakia I would be teaching at a private Christian school and I would be teaching middle school students math (which is what I am getting my  degree for!). Czech Republic is a completely unrestricted nation to Christ! I would be able to proclaim the name of Jesus whenever He led me to do so! 

As of Monday, God crossed Russia off the list and Wednesday, He crossed off Hungary.

After a week spent in prayer, God is leading me to a country I never thought I would even go to visit, much less to live and serve Him! God is leading so I am following! I will pursue this opportunity until He closes the door! If He never closes the door then I will know this is exactly where He wants me to be serving Him!

I know God is always calling us to be on mission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) so I will be pursuing teaching in the Czech Republic! It will be uncomfortable at many times but God does not call us to be comfortable! I know this plan is from God because these are not MY plans by any means; however, God is opening my heart more and more to the people of Czech and their brokenness! I have such a peace about the Czech Republic and I am looking forward to seeing how God works all this out but I know that as I follow Him, I will be right where He wants me! 

Please be in prayer for me as I continue to seek Him and follow His lead! Also, please pray for my parents' hearts to be open and that they will respond well when I go home for Thanksgiving and discuss this with them!

Following Him,
Tia