Where Might God Take You in a Year?

I’ve packed my suitcase…again. My text messages and social media accounts are really busy with people reaching out about being on another adventure…again. I’m with a great group of people headed to an airport…again. I’m going to a place I’ve never been in another part of the world…again. I’m going to be way, way outside my comfort zone a lot over the next 6–7 days…again!

Just what am I going on about you might ask? I’m talking about saying “yes” to God and seeing where He may choose to send me to be hands and feet. I know that sounds a little vague and probably a bit “super spiritual’ but when it comes down to it, that really is what I’m going on about. I suppose a bit more explanation is in order.

A Little History

Growing up, my family really didn’t travel much. In fact, we only took one family vacation—you read that correctly—ever and that was back in the early 1980’s. We lived in Arvada, Colorado at the time and did kind of a mini tour of some well-known places in the state, including a visit near Pike’s Peak, the Royal Gorge Bridge (the highest bridge in the world at the time some 955 feet above the river), Cave of the Winds, and Garden of the Gods. That vacation obviously left a rather indelible mark on my life in a couple of ways. First, as a boy, I realized there is so much more of the world to be seen. Second, it was highly unlikely that lower-middle-class folks like us (I wouldn’t really understand that term for another decade or so) would have an opportunity to see much more of the world.

Less than two years into our marriage, about 23 years ago, I was hired by a DuPont subsidiary based in an Atlanta suburb. That began a period of time in which God began doing remarkable things in our lives, including opening the door to traveling around the country for business. Those trips were usually very tightly scheduled and did not offer many opportunities to see more tourist-oriented places, but there were a few opportunities to see the sights along the way. As a side note: I probably could have built a bit more of that kind of thing into those trips, but without Melisa there to share those experiences with, it would not have been as much fun. Not to mention, being a rather task-oriented individual combined with a sense that I should have gotten serious about a career in my 20’s instead of my early 30’s and…well you get the idea.

Those early years also involved being in school non-stop nearly year-round for close to six years (BS & MBA degrees). When the opportunity for an adventure in New Mexico presented itself, we said “why not” and off we went. A new place with wonderful people, a welcoming new church family, and a few more opportunities to explore but still mostly staying close to home. During that time though, I was blessed with an opportunity to be a part of a vision team from our church (FBC Las Cruces NM) to visit Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Needless to say, as my first time outside the United States, it was an eye-opening experience. Returning home I knew there would be more of that in our future though I could not yet imagine just what that may look like.

Back in Georgia and with a clear call to ministry affirmed by our church at the time, I worked diligently through seminary eventually completing two more degrees. During that time our family became members of First Baptist Church Woodstock GA. Now, you might think with such a vibrant missions department at that very large church that we would have become involved more deeply in international missions. That was not God’s plan for us. Melisa and the kids had done a trip or two domestically but nothing out of the US. We did get involved with work in West Virginia (Melisa more deeply than I did to be sure!). There we saw firsthand the impact of shifting economic realities combined with the devastation of the opioid epidemic. The deep sense of hopelessness on display there is not something anyone visiting could soon forget!

The blessing of a call to a vocational ministry position here in South Georgia came late in 2015 and we were all eager for another adventure. January 2016 we’re in Valdosta and falling in love with the ministry God called us to. Summer 2017 and off I went with a team from our church to Nepal. Five of the eight-member team were visiting in a pew a few days ago and we were right back in and around Kathmandu where we shared an amazing time of ministry, met new friends, and saw dozens of people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Wow God!

Two years later, another opportunity to serve came and a different team of equally gifted and committed people were off to the fourth largest city in Bolivia. Cochabamba is beautiful, her people are amazing, and the hunger for the word of God deep. As with Nepal, each day was filled with ministry and we went to bed each night tired…you know, that good kind of tired that only comes from a hard day of truly fulfilling work.

There were plans to return to Bolivia and also that epic trip of a lifetime to Israel to walk in the footsteps of those we’ve studied about in Scripture. In fact, fundraising had already been completed, plane tickets purchased, deposits (and payments!) made, etc. but then covid. Of course, nothing has been the same since! All those plans were put on the back burner. As the pandemic continued, God worked in different ways…often ways I still don’t understand but always trust completely without hesitation.

Where God Has Taken Me in the Last Year

A year ago I found myself in Lisbon, Portugal for a week of ministry and building relationships. God provided a way and I said “Lord, my yes is on the table. Here am I, send me!” Oh, my word what an unbelievably beautiful place it is and how happy my heart would be given the opportunity to return someday with Melisa! As we prepared to depart, we were told the ministry there planned to return to Argentina and hoped I would be able to join my friend when he made the trip in October 2022. Of course, we said if God opens the door, I would enthusiastically walk—run—through and see them there.

There were trips to Louisville, KY for the final class of my EdD-to-PhD bridge program at Southern Seminary I’ve shared with you previously as well as dissertation defense and ultimately commencement ceremonies in May of this year. Close friends know how deeply I have come to love Louisville and how much I enjoy spending time there. My only regret is that Melisa was not able to join me on my visits there more often over the last decade. Still, we’re talking about a visit just to see the things we wished we’d been able to see together sooner.

Then in June, we took our first international mission trip together! Oh, the memories we made traveling to/from and spending time in Uganda. I remain stunned by the beauty of the places we saw, the warmth of the people we met, and the unshakable commitment of the missionaries serving God there. People from the US and Germany and Bolivia and from across Africa come together to minister to children, provide an opportunity for a quality education, and meet the medical needs of the community. That kind of commitment to serve the Lord comes only from a deep understanding of the calling on their lives that simply cannot be shaken. As you might expect, though, while God does not call everyone to vocational ministry when the calling comes, those called know it and, if they are obedient, cannot be denied. Still, seeing that kind of obedience is humbling.

That would be enough in any normal year or perhaps even spread out over several years. If you know the Sanchez family though, you know we really don’t do normal all that well. Mixed into our 12-month calendar was an amazing visit to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter located in northern Kentucky. We were blessed to fly into Cincinnati (a first for both of us) and loved actually having an opportunity to see some of the city. I do feel the need to pause and say our entire group agreed under the right circumstances (VERY CLEAR leading of God!) we could see living in the community. The visit to those attractions and time with senior adults from our church was remarkable. There are still many asking about the trip and others saying they plan to go on the next one (Lord, please let there be a next one soon!).

If you are counting months, you’ve already figured out that I said a year and I have not quite covered the last year…at least not quite yet. And that brings me to where I am currently. This post was published on a Sunday, unusual for me no doubt about it. Surely, I am at church…right? Well…I was earlier, but only long enough to briefly visit with my Life Group and participate in a New Member’s Breakfast (we call it Northside Blend and yes…there’s actually a custom-roasted coffee that goes with that!).

You see, I’m on my way to the airport in Jacksonville, FL where the team I am with will begin our journey to Argentina where we’ll see our friends from Lisbon last year along with a new class of students. I will be preaching somewhere though I don’t preach often, have no idea where we will be or what language my interpreter will translate my Southern accent into. It doesn’t matter…I already told God “yes” before He opened the door. We’ll meet new people and talk about new opportunities to partner with local churches in ministry. It will be challenging no doubt about but it doesn’t matter…we already told God “yes” before He opened the door.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Paris, France; Nairobi, Kenya; Buwunga, Uganda; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Monte, Argentina. That’s the last twelve months! I don’t know where God may take us over the next twelve, but Israel is in the plans, and just maybe a return trip to Uganda. We’ll see how God chooses to use us. I know this: wherever He sends us, we will happily go!

So here’s the question: are you ready to put your “yes” on the table and see where might God take you in the next year?