Greetings folks!
We have left Africa and are now in beautiful Eastern Europe!
I write to you from here in Ziras Latvia in a semi-renovated school-turned-rehab-center built in 1857. I absolutely love this country! History is preserved so well around these parts, simply gorgeous.
So for a quick update, this is my first month as an official squad leader! I am learning just how different my race will be from here on out! I have seen that my focal point of ministry has been fundamentally changed to the squad, rather than our month-to-month ministry hosts. I am focusing on serving the and shepherding the squad. My goal is to see the squad grow closer to Jesus and learn their identity in Christ. I want to see people learn their gifts in ministry and serve the ministry hosts well. I want them to glean everything they can from the World Race. Ready, set, here I go!
This picture is of myself and my two other co-squad leaders!
I know that I haven’t done an incredible job at keeping everyone updated, so I tried to think of some questions I might be asked if I was talking to on the phone or something. . .
What’s a funny story from this month?
– I was staying with my friend Kyle at a hospital in Riga, Latvia. He found out he had malaria this past weekend (talk about a buzz kill). Anyway, my other friend Chenea and I were within walking distance from the hospital at a mall. We had ordered pizza for Kyle, but it was taking a little while to get out of the oven. This was a problem because we were told that the hospital doors would shut and lock at 10:00pm, and it was 9:40. When the pizza finally came out it was 9:47, so we took off running through the mall with two giant pizzas. We were told that there was a short cut to the hospital through a heavily wooded trail, but to be careful because the woods were full of junkies getting high. We knew we would have no chance of making it back in time if we went around the woods, so through the shortcut we went!
As we ran we started praying for protection from getting mugged. When we were halfway through the trail it was 9:55, and it had become obvious that we weren’t going to make it, so I started to pray that we would be able to time travel, or disapperate, or become able to walk though doors for a second, or that the doors would simply be unlocked.
We finally arrived at 10:07 and the doors magically opened to us! When we walked into Kyle’s room, he was gone, his bed was stripped and wiped down, but his stuff was still lying on the floor by his bed…
We finally tracked down a nurse who knew what was going on, and she explained that they had moved Kyle to the ICU to do malaria treatment. We bribed her to sneak some pizza to Kyle by giving her a slice. We also got her to agree to Chenea and I staying in the hospital for free! We had to be out before 7, though, because it was against the rules.
God is such a provider, eh?
How is your first month squad leading going?
– It has been really hard! For the first half of the race I was always a teammate doing ministry and team time with my team. I am learning what it is like to disconnect with the team a little bit so that I can do my job well. Doing my job well includes being filled up and being able to overflow Jesus on to people.
What am I learning this month?
– Good question. I am learning about how to seek affirmation from God and not man. I am learning how to walk and lead with authority even when I don’t feel confident or qualified. I am learning to trust God with my words. I am learning to balance rest and recharge with my checklists and my addiction to feeling productive.
What is your favorite thing about this ministry?
– There is just 10 people in rehab here at the center. They are all coming from various walks in their journey towards rehabilitation and in their spiritual maturity and receptiveness. It is really cool to see the fruit of us teaching them how to have conversations with God.
Favorite Latvian food?
– Liver spread and bread! Spread with real liver!
How are you doing personally?
– Well thanks for asking. I am so blessed! I am in a season of learning and immense growth. I find myself completely awestruck by the beauty and lovability of the people and landscape around me. I am trying not to allow my business and pressure to excel in my new role to keep me from experiencing what is around me.
