Wherever He Goes

Alex thought he knew where his life was headed.

He had a plan. He was going to finish school, become a dentist, build a career, pay off his debt, buy a home—and then, somewhere along the way, serve God. It was a good plan. The problem was that it was his plan.

When Alex first came to Amazing Discoveries, he was 20 years old, had an associate degree in health sciences, and was convinced he knew what he wanted. He had strong opinions, plenty of confidence, and, as he now admits, a lot of pride. But God had other plans.

During his visit to AD, Alex was confronted with new ideas. He met the animals. He visited the garden. He met Mackenzie, and every question Alex asked seemed to have an answer he hadn’t considered before. He found himself conflicted about his plans for school and, to be honest, he just wanted to leave. The ideas that had been shared with him rocked his world. He knew where he was going; he was happy with his direction, and he didn’t want it changed. Then, just as he and his family were heading out, Mackenzie invited him to his office for a short chat. Alex reluctantly complied, knowing he did not want to be persuaded by anything Mackenzie had to say.

Then Mackenzie invited him to come to Canada to learn medical missionary work from him. Alex’s first response was basically, “No way.”

He had never left home. He had no savings. He had plans for medical school. He had family and friends he didn’t want to leave behind. And he was afraid of giving up the future he had worked so hard to build.

But instead of simply saying no, Alex decided to pray. For eight hours, as he drove, he wrestled with the decision. Within the first few minutes, he already knew God’s answer, but he continued to pray, asking that God confirm the impression. By the end of the drive, he had made up his mind.

He called Mackenzie.

“I’m coming.”

Then he remembered a promise from Joshua:

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” — Joshua 1:9

Wherever He goes. Those words eventually became Alex’s personal motto.

And as he surrendered his plans to God, something began to change. The young man who once hated working began enjoying working. Things that had felt like chores became things he looked forward to. He began spending more time outside, learning to care for animals, splitting wood, gardening, studying, and developing practical skills.

He began learning things he had never considered before, and he began to see how much he still had to learn—and unlearn. He started to realize that God’s educational plan was totally different from the world’s—and that if he continued down the path he’d been following, he would not be prepared for the work God had for him.

But some of the biggest changes weren’t happening outside. They were happening inside. Alex began recognizing his pride and his need to depend on God instead of himself. He found that he could focus better, retain what he was learning, and spend less time on his phone. His insecurities began to fade. He also discovered that medical missionary work was very different from the career he had originally imagined. Instead of simply treating symptoms, he was learning to look for causes and to point people toward the Creator and the principles He designed for our health.

And eventually, Alex realized something he never expected: He didn’t want to go back to the path he had planned.

Today, that young man who once thought he would become a dentist is living, learning, and serving at Amazing Discoveries as a Medical Missionary Intern. He still has a lot to learn. He’ll be the first to tell you that. But now he has a different goal—not to become the person he planned to be, but to become the person God wants him to be.

“God has a plan for all of us. All we need to do is take His hand and follow Him.”

—Alex

What happens when we surrender our plans?

Alex’s story isn’t really about becoming a medical missionary instead of a dentist. It’s about what can happen when someone is willing to put his plans in God’s hands. That’s what makes his story so special to us at Amazing Discoveries. Because AD isn’t just about producing videos, books, or study materials.

It’s about people.

It’s about allowing God to use AD to help someone like Alex—with questions, pride, uncertainty, and his own plans—as he learns, grows, and discovers what God may have in store for him. It’s about preparing people to take what they are learning and use it to serve others. And it’s about preparing people for the greater work God is calling His children to do. God is building an army of people, including young people, who are willing to learn, grow, and follow Him wherever He leads—people who can be prepared to take part in giving the Loud Cry.

Alex attended our Loud Cry Training Bootcamp, and he said it was beautiful to watch what God was doing in the lives of the people who came. Now he is becoming part of that work himself. We don’t know where God will lead Alex next. But he has learned something that is worth remembering:

Wherever He goes, God is there.

And sometimes the greatest adventure begins when we finally let go of the plans we thought we needed to hold onto.

What might God have in store for you?

Are you willing to take His hand and follow Him wherever He goes?

Thank you for being part of this work.