A common phrase tossed out here on the race is “the only constant is change.” This statement has proven itself true time and time again. As we were nearing our time in Asia, I felt something changing. Not only were we changing continents, but I felt like the Lord was going to do a new thing. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it would be good! I didn’t have to wait long to find out… During debrief in Thailand, the squad leaders called me into their room to talk. They wanted to make as few changes as possible on the squad, and felt like God wanted to place me on a new team. With much prayer, I was asked to lead an all girls team in this next leg of the race! So saying some sad goodbye’s to Team Shabach, and stepping in to this new team…the new whirlwind of a season began.
I had a chance to really grow with my new team this past month in Rwanda. It was a challenging month for all of us- spiritually, physically, relationally, and ministry-wise. Through all of it though, I held on to the word of ‘newness’ for the team.
We just had our midway debrief in Kenya this week, and with it came more changes. One of my beloved teammates was asked to leave the World Race. This makes 5 people from our squad who have gone home. I am so sad to have Nikki leave, but I am so excited for the plans God has for her at home. This is only the beginning of an amazing journey for her, and I can’t wait to hear what comes!
So once again, we are stepping into a new country with a ‘new’ team—-so please meet TEAM SHEKINAH!!
The team’s name was such an awesome God thing. The night the changes were announced, one of my squadmates kept praying over me ‘shekinah glory.’ The next day, as one of the girls approached me with the idea of changing team names, my old team leader Tim had written down a name..but hadn’t said anything to us. So when we gathered to meet for the first time, God was starting to speak very clearly about the direction of our team. It started with this verse:
Isaiah 43:18-19: Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
This was God’s word to us about this next season. He is doing new things- in us and through us, and in the nations as well. The past no longer holds us back- we are forsaking the things of the past- and moving forward into the very glory of God and into his promises and plans for us. Which led us to the next verse:
Rev. 21:2-5
These verses speak of Jehovah God coming and dwelling with his people at the end of the age- or the second coming of God. The context of these verses references his ‘shekinah glory’-or the visible manifestation of his glory or presence. There is so much to ‘shekinah,’ so please google it and read up about it. It is amazing!
And it is our hope- the hope that once again we will walk with God in the New Jerusalem and have that sweet, eternal fellowship with him…that once again he will dwell among us….that we would be found faithful at the end of the age. This is ultimately the message of hope we bring- God once again with us, dwelling among us, encountering us for all eternity!
Please pray for my team and I as we begin this new season of the race. We are now at the halfway point—crazy! I am so excited to see the plans of God unfold before us each and every day. He is doing new things, and I am thrilled to follow him into these next adventures! I am thrilled at the promises over this team!
