This last month in Ghana was incredibly sweet and full. It was all-squad month, which means that all 30 members of my squad and all 6 of us that make up the leadership team lived and served in the same location. We partnered with Elim City, a local church, in their evangelizing efforts. Each team was assigned a neighborhood and went out each day to form relationships and invite the community members to church. They were sent out without a contact from the church, so it was a great time for them to explore ATL (“Ask the Lord”) ministry. This means they’d pray before each day started to see who the Lord was trying to lead them to.
There are so many stories to tell, but I’ll just list two. One of the teams was led to a college and was invited in to speak- it led to 9 students accepting Christ! I was with that same team the next day, and we were led to a woman named Merci, who runs a small food stand on the side of the road. After talking to her a bit, she poured out her heart. She was lonely and struggling. She was searching for a community and for the Lord. We got to pray with her and encourage her. We also got to hear her dream of opening a restaurant where people could sit and enjoy her food. One of the teammates took that idea and ran with it. She was able to raise $400 to help make this possible and now Merci has a small place to start her restaurant. (Read more about that story HERE)
During all-squad month, we, as leadership, also took advantage of the opportunity it was to have everyone together and we had multiple sessions each week. This included all of us in leadership sharing our testimonies, as well as different things the Lord had put on our heart. I got to do a session on spiritual gifts and a talk on our identity and freedom in Christ. It was such a privilege to get to walk alongside and share the things the Lord taught me on my own race and the things that He continues to teach me. As a team, we got to offer some tools to help members of the squad walk into more freedom, healing, and out of things that were holding them back. This was one of my absolute favorite things this month- being able to walk people through past hurts, wounds, and struggles and inviting the Lord into those spaces. It was different each and every time, but it was amazing to see the Lord’s faithfulness and personal nature with each person.
In the time that we weren’t doing ministry or sessions, we just had the chance to just hang out and get to know the members of the squad. This group definitely has my heart. They are a lively bunch, but so eager to grow. They also collectively have a gift of encouraging others. I also got to spend a lot of time with my co-leaders and mentor. I’m blessed with some amazing people beside me and it’s been really good to continue getting to know them and learning from them. I love that I get to do life with this group of people. I’ve realized that in this season, the Lord has me living out so many of my passions and dreams. Such a privilege!
All-squad month was beautiful, full, exhausting, and rejuvenating. At the end of it, we headed into our 3rd month by transferring continents. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to see a mere roughly 10% of the countries that Africa has to offer and I’ve now gotten to spend time in both southern and western Africa. While they are both very different, the rich culture, hospitality, fun personalities, and the precious kiddos definitely have a piece of my heart. Last year when I left, I knew that I was to return a short month later. So leaving this time was bittersweet, as I have no idea of when I’ll return to the continent- but I do know that it’s a place I want to explore more of as the Lord allows!
I am currently in Cambodia. My co-leader, Cristen, and I are hanging out with the girls from the co-ed team while the men are in a different location for manistry month. We are partnering with a school and spend our days teaching English to grades 1-5. More to come about this month in another blog SOON!
I am currently still in need of financial support to finish out my commitment to F Squad. I know that the Lord has called me here and that He will provide- He already has in so many incredible ways! Will you join me in praying for the rest of the funds to come in? I am still in need of $900. If you feel led, you can donate through the link above.
I’d also love for you to join me in praying for F Squad and the countries that we will live in. Prayer is powerful and is the most important way you can support me and what the Lord has called me to. I send out an email update each month with specific prayer requests- so if you’d like to receive that, comment with your email.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! Thankful for each and every one of you!
