This month, our team traveled a lot to gypsy churches in communities around Vidin. When we would go to a church, a few of us would be asked to preach. If you know me, you know public speaking is totally NOT my thing. I get so nervous and tongue-tied, my face turns red, and I feel hot and prickly with all those eyes staring at me. But I couldn't let my team down and refuse to speak.
One neat thing the Lord did through our preaching is tie all of our sermons/testimonies together. We always talked about something different, and we never discussed what we were talking about before the service. We just asked God to give us the words, and He did. Almost every time, our words meshed so well together and did amazing things in encouraging the churches. I know the Holy Spirit gives us words to speak when we have none, but as my second turn to preach approached, I had no clue what to say.
All day I thought about what to speak on. Should I share part of my story? A lesson God was teaching me this month? An experience from the Race? Every idea I swirled around in my head just didn't seem right. I was starting to panic a little as we found seats in the tiny room that served as the church. Linsey agreed to go first, and she got up and began to talk about healing. Her back was healed at Training Camp, although she didn't really walk in that assurance until China. She spoke about trusting God and walking in faith that when He heals, He truly does heal. As I sat there listening, my mind immediately settled on my topic. My own healing at Training Camp, when I was freed from depression. I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, "Tell your story." So I got up, took a deep breath, and I did. I shared my story, then stepped back and let God move in that room. What a glorious thing it is when God speaks through us!
