New month, new team, new ministry. Introducing, Team Basileia Babes. In Greek, Basileia means kingdom, kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, especially of God, both in the world, and in the hearts of men. From left to right – me, Ashley, Annalise, Katie, Faith & Blaire.
This month in Nepal, was our first ATL – Ask the Lord – month. Instead of having an assigned ministry contact we began each morning asking the Lord what He had in store for us, who He wanted us to talk to, and where He wanted us to go. The purpose of an ATL month is to prepare racers for life back home. The World Race lives by the moto, “Life is Ministry, Ministry is Life.” They are teaching us to live as the disciples did, and showing us what it means to live a life listening and following the Holy Spirit. God has a plan for us each and every day and it’s up to us to listen and be obedient.
Some days looked like doing bible studies in coffee shops with a “free prayer” sign. In a city full of young people seeking to find themselves, adventure, or truth, this was such an easy way to start conversation and form new relationships. Some days looked like taking new friends to an outdoor screening of the Lion King or kayaking on the lake. Inviting people to join us in our daily lives and having intentional conversations about what we are doing and what we believe was incredible.
For the latter part of the month, our team decided to go trekking for 6 days on the Annapurna Circuit. Throughout the trek, we were able to pray over people we encountered, pray over villages and get to know other trekkers at night staying in the guest houses. At the end of trek, while getting stamped out of the circuit, we met a girl from Poland named Agnieszka. She ended up taking the same bus back to Pokhara and by the time we made it to the city, we had exchanged numbers with her and made plans to hang out again.
Our first night at dinner with Agnieszka, we learned that she had been traveling the world solo for the year and was seeking truth and spirituality. She was so eager to ask questions about our beliefs and learn about each of our individual stories and walks with Christ. Throughout the next week, we were able to continue pouring into her and forming a beautiful new friendship.
To end our month in Nepal, our squad had a 5 day debrief back in Kathmandu. Our sister squad, Expedition, was also debriefing in the city and we were able to do joint worship two different nights at a rooftop venue overlooking the skyline and mountains. Our final night left me in awe. Not only was I worshiping with over 60 fellow World Racers, but with the countless friends (including Agnieszka) that everyone had invited to join us. Looking around the room I could see all the relationships that had been formed throughout the month. My heart was so full seeing the tangible fruit of obedience. All these new relationships had come from my teammates opening their eyes and their hearts to the divine meetings God put in front of them.
Nepal was such an incredible month that I will never forget. My team is now in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for another ATL month. My prayer is that we continue being open and receptive to where the Spirit leads us.
Love from Malaysia, Sara
Basileia Babes with Agnieszka (far left)
