Two Packed Bags and a One Way Ticket

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I shared an update, but I am leaving tomorrow so now is as good a time as any!
As a refresher, I’m starting my 9 month mission trip with 1 month of training in Gainesville, Georgia. I still don’t know a lot of details about what happens at training but I know I’ll receive discipleship training, that my team consists of 41 people (yeah, that’s a lot!) and we all sleep outside in our own tents. But Georgia at the end of August isn’t too hot so…
I am also allowed to pack in just a 65L hiking backpack and a carry-on backpack (mine is 36L I think). Surprisingly, there is enough space. It is so crazy to see your next 9 months condensed into 2 backpacks though, hence why it’s the cover photo.
After my training, I’ll head to Colombia, then Vietnam, the Philippines, and finally, South Africa. I don’t know the exact cities I’ll be in each country but I’m sure I’ll hit each of the capitals. I think my team and I will do a lot of moving around within each country too so I’m sure I’ll see a lot of each place. My trip starts August 29, 2025 and will end on May 13, 2026!
I am really quite excited at this point! I’m writing this blog when I have about 2 days until I leave, although I’m posting it later. Yes, there are a lot of unknowns about this trip and of course I’m nervous at times, but I’m also just very excited to finally start this! It was nearly a year ago that I signed up and I’ve been preparing like crazy. Even longer ago, God placed a strong desire in me to serve in missions. I would love to see the look on 6 year old Maddie’s face and tell her I’m finally going to Africa after 12 years of waiting!
Throughout my waiting and preparation, I can already see the Lord expanding my faith, my willingness to be uncomfortable, and my passion for combining travel with sharing the gospel. He has been working on my heart to learn to rely on Him as my comfort and to rest in the fact that God always, always provides (even if it doesn’t look like we thought it would). I know these next 9 months will radically change my life and I can’t wait to learn more about God and His beautiful creation!
At this point in fundraising I am at 51% raised!!! That means that out of the $19,500 trip cost my supporters have helped me raise $10,000! That is insane. Fundraising has been a pretty humbling experience for me. I had to continually trust God that people would be led to support my trip and also remember that, at the end of the day, it will get funded. God works in ways we don’t even see, often protecting us from things we will never know about. With that in mind, how much more will He provide for you and make it abundantly clear! Yes, I am repurposing a common bible phrase, “how much more” because it really puts it into perspective. Matthew 6:25-34 has been something I have turned my bible to countless times over the course of preparation, and that phrase “how much more” just sticks with me. Needless to say I am so so grateful for every one of the people that supported me! And I have received so much more than financial support too. Many have helped with travel tips, gear, prayer, kindness, friendship, and being just as excited (if not more) for me to do this trip! Praise God for putting such amazing people in my life! My family especially has been a big help in all of my preparation. A special shoutout to my parents, Sean and Rebecca Cannon for stewarding me in my faith throughout my whole life and for teaching me their special missionary tricks from when they were doing the same thing. Also to my grandparents Vicki and Ron Ecord and Ben and Vicki Cannon for supporting me in prayers, teaching, and financial support. Another big thank you to my aunt, Rachael Walsh for supplying me with lots of gear and helpful tips. To the people who left anonymous donations of $20, $50, and $500…WOW. Just wow. Thank you so much. This is just simply the tip of the iceberg of the people God has used. He has pulled in strangers, people I barely knew, and used so many other outlets to help financially support this mission and spiritually prepare for this big journey. I am so eternally grateful for the support from all of you, even the support that comes from reading my blogs. Thank you is an understatement.
In an earlier blog post I mentioned something my pastor said, “God enables what He commands”. And wow does He. I also thank God for this exciting opportunity to travel the world and proclaim His name and for using so many amazing people to make it possible!
So in a few hours, I will be on a one way flight to a place I’ve never been, and I am such a mix of excitement and nerves. However, I really can’t wait for it to start and to experience what God will reveal to me about Himself and His creation. Be in prayer for safety for me and my team, for the new cultures we’ll experience, and that God would just stretch our faith beyond what we ever imagined it could be. God is so, so good.
I appreciate you for reading! Please periodically check my blog for updates on the field. I’m not 100% sure how busy I’ll be but I will try to post weekly about what is happening. Thank you so much!
Maddie