Three things:
How did I get here?
I finished my race in May of this year. I thought at one point, I was going straight back to India post race to be a momma to some of the sweetest boys in the WHOLE world. God had other plans for the next season. For the first time in my life, I was consulting with God on what was next. Although I was heartbroken to think of not going to see my sweet boys, I decided to listen. I decided to trust God that He knew better. God said, “This is what I have for you, enjoy the ride”.
Now I’m returning to the mission field for five months as a squad leader for “K squad”.
What am I learning?
Missions can look a lot different than what you expect. My motto ever since doing the race is, “life is missions, missions is life”. You do not have to be on the mission field to do missions. Missions is allowing the Lord to work through you wherever you are at any given moment. For example speaking to someone at the grocery store that you feel led to talk to is ministry. You might be the encouragement that person needs to get through his or her day. Whatever that looks like for you all you need to know about missions is that the goal is to be the love of Jesus to others. It is that simple.
For me personally God took me on the race. I am extremely grateful because He knew I needed to have my heart and mind opened in a BIG way. I am a big picture person, so hearing about struggles in the world wouldn’t have broken me. Coming face to face with trafficking victims, orphans, people dying, and the poor was an eye-opening experience I could not ignore. God ignited in me a passion to love and to lay myself down for others to experience the UNCONTROLABLE, UNCONDITIONAL love of Jesus.
How does squad leading qualify as missions?
When I accepted the position to squad lead, I kept thinking of the best way to explain this to people and why I am so passionate about it.
When I introduced myself to my squad last week at training camp I told them that sometimes we feel like we burden people with our story and our problems, but I feel honored when people come to me. I am honored that people find me trustworthy and want to share with me their challenges and celebrations.
My squad (R squad) and this journey CHANGED MY LIFE. I was living my life feeling numb. My own sin, brokenness, and lack of self worth had me chained in this place that I did not know what it meant to really feel.
This year my wounds and my brokenness were revealed and dealt with in a community filled with so much love and grace.
I am forever altered, and now I am living as more of the woman God has called me to be.
I like to tell this little story because it first of all makes me giggle, but also because I feel it illustrates the beauty of walking in freedom.
In month 10 we were in Swaziland. While I was standing with one of my teammates, I noticed how huge and fluffy the clouds looked and how blue the sky was there in Swazi. I asked him, “The clouds are different here right?” I was convinced that it had something to do with being in the southern hemisphere versus the northern hemisphere. He nodded his head and politely said yeah sure.
Fast-forward to being back in the states a couple of days, I was driving my car and noticing the clouds and how similar they were to the ones I remembered in Swaziland. I laughed to myself. I called my teammate and told him he was right.
In that moment I realized, in the best way possible, I was a cliché. People often refer to the grass being greener the sky being bluer on the other side. Well for me they were. The clouds looked bigger, the sky bluer, and the grass greener. The freedom I had experienced over the course of this past year has taken me to a place where life ultimately is bigger and brighter. God brought me out of the numbness and into a life of immense joy, deep pain, hideous realities, and crazy opportunities. God continues to reveal more of himself to me through each of these. I love it all. Even in the deep pain and hideous realities, God is with me. I have a Father who is with me through it ALL!!
Now I realize more of why I am so passionate about this next season as a squad leader. I am not only honored and humbled by their stories, but I am passionate about the journeys that each of them is going to walk in this year.
Being with my squad and hearing about their experiences at training camp alone puts into perspective the crazy things the Lord is going to take them through this year. I am passionate about allowing the Lord to use me for His glory and in this position of squad leading.
Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on this new adventure! I do need financial support; if you would like to get involved send checks to:
Katelyn DeVoe
W10085 Mary Lane
Antigo, WI 54409
