June Bunce shares some thoughts and reflections on what it is like to wait on and with God to show the way. May you be inspired by her words:

“Back in January 2022, I was scheduled to join two other workers on a short-term mission trip to a country in Africa. My first mission trip ever! I was nervous, but so excited! I’d never had an experience like the one I was gearing up for, and I was so ready to stretch my comfort zone…or so I thought. As the departure date drew closer, the fiery excitement I initially felt began to be overshadowed by warnings I received from medical professionals, loved ones, our government, and myself – warnings about the area to which I was planning to travel, warnings about the array of worst-case-scenarios that could happen. Despite the reassurances from missionaries who’d lived in the area for decades, I couldn’t shake the fear that making the trip was not a wise decision. Ultimately, I chose to postpone my visit. During my deliberation, however, myriad questions flooded my mind: Why had I really agreed to go on this trip in the first place – did I truly feel called to go and serve, or did the prospect just make me feel cool and adventurous? If I truly felt called to take this journey, why was I allowing my fear to win out over my faith? I regularly pray for God to give me the humility and courage to go where he calls me. Was this a test I had failed? Had God called my bluff? Why was I feeling more apprehension about this trip than the other international voyages I had coming up – was it because those countries weren’t as far away, or because their cultures were more similar to mine, therefore I felt that I would be “safer”? What does that say about me? I don’t want to downplay the advice of those who discouraged me from going on the mission trip – their warnings were grounded in a horrific reality for many who live in the area to which I planned to travel. But there is another reality that resides there as well – one of love and joy, excitement and welcome, camaraderie and intentional connection. When my would-have-been-travel-buddy returned home from the trip, he regaled us with stories of life-changing discovery, heart-transforming friendships, sobering culture shock, and a longing to one day go back. And I ached with regret that I’d not joined him. I still wrestle with the questions that plagued me before. While I may not have been ready for my trip in January 2022, I will continue to pray for guidance and clarity as I discern the paths to which God calls me – paths that will challenge me, stretch me, scare me. And I will continue to pray for the ability to walk those paths with humility and courage.”

If you want to hear a bit more about June’s journey, feel free to catch the B4M podcast episode: https://bridgesformission.buzzsprout.com/1358701/9906482-eyes-heart-hands-open-to-the-world