“Some of us have so much defeat in our past that we feel we lost the race before we knew it started.”
Beth Moore
Last week my squad came back together for our very first debrief in Belgrade, Serbia. I was excited to see everyone again and to hear stories from their first month on the race. We enjoyed five days of resting, but I didn’t expect how much growth I would have in those days to come.
Exhaustion came in a good way. The Lord completely wrecked me in ways I never thought possible. One night during debrief our mentor, Teresa, shared her beautiful testimony. When she shared her story, it allowed us to open our hearts in such a safe place.
On this race, I have been able to discover more of who God is and who God made me to be. I have been able to find how truly happy I am with that. That night after hearing her testimony I knew that God was nudging me to share, but not just in front of a couple of my teammates, but in front of my entire squad.
What would they think of me then?
Satan tried to keep every part of me from sharing my brokenness, but the Lord gave me courage and I believed that they would not judge me for it. I walked to the front of the room with 46 grace filled souls looking back at me and began sharing part of my story. I shared things with them that night that I thought I would always keep hidden from crowds of people. I talked through conversations with friends later that evening and prayed that shame would not creep in. Asking my team and squad mates for accountability has been the next best step to help me grow personally and in community for the Kingdom.
Since that night, a huge weight has been lifted and I have had such clarity in my praying, thinking, and listening to what God is calling me to be on this race. Yesterday morning as I walked past my friend, Alexis, she told me that the Lord shared with her that I was going to do bigger things. Not sure what that looks like yet, but I’m anxious and am waiting patiently to see what He has in mind.
I want to encourage you if you need to be vulnerable, ask for accountability, or just need someone to pray for you or with you to please reach out to me or someone close to you. It will give you so much freedom in what the Lord is asking for you in your calling.
We have officially made it to Romania and are in all squad month. We will be serving in Alba Iulia as a squad, but my team will specifically be serving with Harmony Church. Last night we were able to go to their church service and I adored everything about it. Our new friend, Traian, translated through headphones for us. Our friend, Ema, is our person. She has taken such great care of us in relation to the church as she makes sure we get from one place to the other. Brother Marcel (Pastor) gave a beautiful message last night, has welcomed us with a warm heart into the city, and we are blessed by this opportunity to serve and partner with the church here in Romania.
It’s been an adjustment to living with 44 people under one roof, but I love this X squad, the joy that each person brings to the squad, and watching what God is doing in and through them in many of our ‘firsts’ on the race.
Praying big prayer circles around Romania and this squad I get to do life with in this season.
Much love,
Kristen
