Michelle Euperio, of the January 2010 L Squad, shares a story of the responses she received when preparing for her eleven-month journey around the world. With launches and training camps quickly approaching, we thought this story would be a great way to celebrate Racers!
Today I went to Mr. Hambley’s (one of my best friends) classroom and had the opportunity to speak about The World Race and specifically about homelessness and human trafficking. God is shaping me to be a bold courageous woman to speak his truth and I love it!
Because its public school, I couldn’t bring up faith or God. I was scared and Satan tempted me with many ways to try and get out of this. My prayer kept on being that God would be glorified in every way and to give me the courage and words to say.
I spoke to three periods of 7th graders…oooh to be in middle school!! I answered questions about where I was going to live, eat, sleep, use the bathroom (this was my favorite) what I’m most excited about, parents, etc. It was amazing to be able to go into details about it and let someone see how passionate I am and what the race means to me. My heart breaks for victims of human trafficking and more so for those forced into prostitution.
One student asked, “Why would you ever want to do something like this? Why would you want to go out and risk your safety? You don’t know them. You don’t know their pain.”
Without thinking I said, “Because my problems are nothing in comparison to what theirs are and they have a right to a better life and if one woman was freed from this even if it caused my life, it would be worth it. Just one.”
I didn’t realize I would die for this cause and for unknown people until saying it aloud; but I absolutely would. I can’t feel their pain but it moves me enough to fight for them.
The student didn’t quite understand and so Mr. Hambles asked,
“What is the most honorable way to die?”
The student replied, “As a soldier fighting.”
“Why would you do that?”
“For america- for my country.”
And I watched as it clicked with him and the rest of the class. The idea of being a part of something greater than yourself appealed to them. It was beautiful to witness their (and maybe for the first time) compassion for humanity. I was humbled to see these 7th graders angry over the injustice of unknown women and men. And, they wanted to do something about it! Their passion fed my fire even more! I can’t believe I was blessed enough to share the Race with them. They now want to follow my journey through my blogs and videos. One student, in awe, said, “Wow, miss, it’s like you’ll be fighting a war out there.”
Plainly said, YES.
Yes, I will fight for this. Yes, I will fight for my broken brothers and sisters who I don’t know but LOVE. God blessed me with a heart of compassion. So yes, we will be in battle; but God always wins! We will free the captives. We will restore self worth. We will speak and bring hope into those we encounter and not only in prostitution but with everyone. We will shout the good news! We will ooze the beauty of God. The scent of Christ will permeate through us and overcome fear. Satan shakes at the thought of us equipped with the armor of God fighting for our Savior and for his children!
I believe we are the generation that will awaken and stir the faith of many. We will be the ones to bring truth and glory to his kingdom on earth but it doesn’t stop with us. Lets stir up the the faith and beliefs of our younger brothers and sisters as well!
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM! And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Cor 3: 17-18
