2017 was the best year of my life so far.
Last year, because of the donations I received from most of you all, I was able to go on a life changing 11 month mission trip. But these 11 months were more than just a mission trip; it was a intensive discipleship program the Lord used to reshape my mind and my heart.
I have never been closer to God. I have never been more stable on this solid rock than I am right now. This year the Lord showed me who I am in him and my position in the kingdom of God. I don’t want to paint the wrong picture to you though, it was very tough. There were moments where I wanted to be at home with my family and friends. I wanted to be somewhere familiar and comfortable. This year I had to have some hard conversations. I was given some serious feedback that hurt some times but was necessary. My sleeping arrangement varied from a tent, to a spot on a sidewalk with a couple Pringles cans as pillows (I am looking at you Katie). Sometimes I had a nice normal American toilet. Other times I had a squatty pottie, or even just a tree. I am not even going to go into what the food was like for the year because that would take up so much of this blog. But to reflect for a minute, the bible says a man can not live on bread alone BUT he can on rice and beans alone. That just gives you an idea of the trip we had (beans and rice for days). It was not easy by any stretch but it was so so amazing.
The community I had around me was one of the biggest contributors to the growth I went through this past year. As the bible says, iron sharpens iron. We experienced that on R squad. My leaders and teammates challenged me in my thinking, in my integrity, and in my character. They called me higher and gave me opportunities to do the same for others. I learned solid spiritual disciplines by watching my leaders seek the Lord in their own lives. Because of these things I now walk in a much deeper intimacy with God than I ever have before. I learned a lot from my R squad family and the leadership team that led the way.
These are the reasons why I was honored and excited when I was asked to come back on the field to lead. It would give me opportunity to pour into a new group of racers on their year long journey. I now have the opportunity to shepherd this group of people like my leaders did for me. A year ago at this time I would have immediately said no, mainly because of my own views of myself. I would have thought I was inadequate and not in a position to lead another group of people. Especially when sometimes I would doubt and not feel stable in my own walk with Christ. How could I lead someone when I still struggled with things? But the Lord in his goodness, loved me enough to get me out of that condemning mindset. Like I mentioned before, this year with God has taught me who I am in him and my role in the kingdom.
These next 5 months while I am on the field with these new racers my goal is to push them, to challenge them, but most importantly to encourage and pour into them. God has taught me a lot. He has poured himself into me. Now I want to be a good steward of that by giving it away. Freely I received, so freely I give.
For this new journey of leadership that the Lord is bringing me on, I still have to raise support. As of right now, I am in need of $6,000!! Will you please pray and consider donating. Even if you are only able to give $5. The little things make the big things. Also all donations that go through my blog are tax deductible.
So, I am going to try and do a better job this year of posting more blogs for you all. Showing you videos and pictures of the cities/areas we are at. Giving you look at what ministries we are partnering with. And most importantly showing you what the Lord is teaching me. Please help keep me accountable! Keep your eyes out for posts! Subscribe too, if you like! Thanks for everything!
Pray for me!
