I’m not actually writing about Independence Day today, so perhaps this is a misleading title haha. But I do mean it – Happy 4th with love from Thessaloniki, Greece!
We will be serving refugees this month, in camps and in the city. Shortly after we arrived last week, we met a family who were wandering around, searching for the Greek Refugee Council, and after I made eye contact with one of the little boys, I had to turn away because I felt myself welling up with tears. My heart is broken for these people. And I am angry about the injustice they’ve endured at every level. There is truly no place I would rather be in this moment than here in Greece.
In a few days, I’m going to post a blog about what the Lord is teaching me right now…about what it looks like to love people the way Jesus loves them…but today, I am writing to tell you about my dear friend, Kate, who has taught me how to love like Jesus, and to ask you to pray about something.
When I applied for the Race more than a year ago, I was brutally honest on my application, pridefully thinking that they’d be lucky to have me. (True story: my heart was in an ugly place at the time…) When I was told by my interviewer that I needed to work through a few struggles and walk in freedom from them for a few months before being accepted, that pride reared its ugly head, and I angrily lashed out at her. Fifteen minutes later, I called back to apologize and ask for forgiveness because I was so convicted by the Holy Spirit about my response.
Fast forward to today. In His infinite wisdom and grace, God has taken my interviewer, Kate, and made her my sister and my friend. See, last October, I found out that Kate was going to be one of our squad leaders. Our Father has quite the sense of humor.
Over the last 6 months, He has shown me His heart through Kate. He has shown me unconditional forgiveness and love in the way she allowed our friendship to begin without the baggage of that phone call. He has shown me – through Kate – what it looks like to love people fully and see strangers the way He sees them.
Today, Kate is back in the States on staff with Adventures in Missions, the parent organization of World Race. She has been asked (brilliantly and wisely) to be a squad mentor for an upcoming gap year squad, which means she’ll be pouring into and discipling a group of 18-22 year olds as they travel the world next year. No one better than Kate to serve in this role. She is living out the Great Commission to its fullest and the Father has equipped her so beautifully for such a time as this.
This is where you come in, prayerfully.
In this role that she’s accepted with AIM and World Race, she has to raise a good chunk of her salary (on top of what she has already raised to lead our squad). She still needs about $500/month in commitments to get there.
I would be so thankful if you would pray about whether or not you are called to financially support Kate. It could be a single gift or a monthly commitment; either would be a huge answer to prayer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Kate. She would love to talk with you and share her story with you. Message me and I’ll send you her phone number and email address. You’ll meet her when she comes to visit after I get home as well!
Just click “Donate!” on her site to give: kategoeler.theworldrace.org. Right now the bar at the top shows she’s fully funded, but it isn’t accurate. It should be updated with the correct amounts later this week. Either way, you can give today if you so choose!
Thank you so much for praying about this. Kate is a dear friend of mine and I truly would not be where I am today without her friendship and guidance. The potential for her to serve in that same role for others is limitless with our support. Thank you!!
Some fun facts about Kate (from her blog):
- I am a Messianic Jew aka Jewish Believer in Christ aka Jew for Jesus.
- I first accepted Jesus Christ when He revealed Himself to me while I was plucking my eyebrows one morning. (Great story if you ever want to hear more about it)
- I laugh loudly and a lot.
- I grew up in central New York and, since graduating high school, have continually moved farther and farther south; now residing in Baton Rouge, LA (and now Georgia).
- I love adventures and doing things that I’m scared of.
Yeah, she rocks. Her most recent blog post is about our story. Check it out when you have a sec.
Love and miss you all!
Erika
