About a week after I returned home from Spain in March, I went for a stroll downtown with a friend.  As we chatted under the warm spring sun, I explained how God had carefully rearranged my plans over the past few years, preparing me to teach in Spain.

I held my hand straight out in front of me and said, “I’ve learned to hold my plans in an open palm.”

God must have laughed out loud in that moment.

I’ll jump to the punchline: my plans have changed again.  And despite my claim that “I’ve learned to hold my plans in an open palm,” I have felt the pain of God prying back my fingers to shift the plans that I hold so dear.

Although I still desire to teach in Spain, I do not think that I will be able to move to Spain in August.  Three main factors have contributed to this decision:

1. Due to current travel restrictions, the mission board is not allowing any international travel.
2. The Spanish government has had “technical difficulties” with my visa application.
3. I still lack some financial support (But praise God that it has increased even during the pandemic!).

Despite these current roadblocks, I still see God working, and I am certain that His perfect plan has not been thwarted.  Over the past few months, I have watched from a distance as the Christian school in Spain has continued to teach the students (now online) with excellence.  During telephone and text conversations with friends elsewhere in Europe, I have heard of unexpected opportunities to share the Gospel during the pandemic.  Additionally, I was able tell a local church about the work that is currently happening in Spain during a drive-in service.  As my friend from the first paragraph reminds me daily, nothing and no one can mess up God’s plan.

Please pray with me about the three current roadblocks, and pray that I will be patient and open to God’s leading as He continues to change my plans.

P.S. – The song “Out of My Hands” has been special to me during the past few months as I have watched God change my plans again.