For the past 4 days, our squad has been in Atlanta for additional trainings before leaving the country. We arrived at different times (depending on our roles within our squad), and have been sitting in on trainings, worship, and team times where we have had the chance to evaluate the things we value as a group.
We have the chance to intentionally create the environment we desire to live in for the next 11 months.
The trainings conducted by Adventures in Missions are so intentional.
They are straight forward, concise, and honest.
As I stated in our training camp video, we really have the best leaders.
If you are a prayer warrior partnering with me this year, I would ask that you pray for the leaders of our squad – (Doug, Kris, Jenny, Hannah, and Fran).
Each training was about something different: conflict, feedback, vision, team norms, etc… In each training, I saw more of the heart behind the WorldRace.
One of our leaders prayed that it would be simple. That our life would be about bringing the kingdom of God to Earth and living in that.
What a beautiful and simple thing to pray.
By the third or fourth session, we found ourselves stirring to go. (Sorry Mom, sorry Dad and Karen, I will really miss y’all, I promise).
But we, as a group and as individuals, are just itching to go.
You see, when the Lord places a calling on your life, sitting in anticipation gets to a point where it is no longer peaceful, you just feel ready to go.
We tend to get ahead of ourselves mentally, trying to prepare for the future we think will happen.
But every time, Jesus sweetly challenges us to choose to be in the moment.
So we pressed into the discomfort, and He blessed the obedience with grace.
Bill Swan, the director of the WorldRace, spoke over us that our group has a level of expectancy and hunger that he hadn’t seen before.
I believe deeper and deeper every day that this group of missionaries is going to make waves for the kingdom.
God has something so special for this group.
As I write this, we are sitting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport, having just landed from Atlanta, eagerly waiting to leave in a few hours for Medellin, Colombia.
I see my teammates playing cards, reading, blogging, journaling, sleeping.
I feel teammates processing, thinking, and preparing emotionally.
It is a surreal feeling to know we are leaving for a year.
Complete and total abandonment.
I sold my car. Moved out of the house where I was living. Gave lots of goodbye hugs.
There really is no feeling to explain this emotion.
When we arrive to Colombia, my team will be traveling to the region of Quindío, in the town of Filandia.
We will be working with a ministry, connecting specifically with teens and kids. We might be doing anything from setting up a vacation bible school, to helping with homework, to just playing games with the kiddos.
This month will be hard and good and challenging.
We will probably see moments of homesickness, nervousness, and deep thought.
We aim to match those moments with encouragement, prayer, and Holy Spirit focus.
This is truly the place where I will share what we are doing; the miracles we see; the way the Lord is working.
Though I would love to update you all individually, Adventures in Missions has blessed me with a platform on which I have the chance to share my life, and I want to use it well.
If you are reading this and would like it emailed directly to your inbox when I post, scroll up and click “subscribe for updates”.
This will send my updates to you as soon as I share them!
S P I R I T U A L U P D A T E
My spirit has been revived these past few days; I feel totally renewed by the Holy Spirit. I have seen Adventures impart a vision into my parents’ hearts, and I look forward to seeing the work He completes in them.
I would love prayers for these things…
For fear to leave in Jesus name
For homesickness to be matched with moments of feeling at home with the team
For comfort in ministry, and to feel close to our hosts
For Holy Spirit to lead, and for us to abandon our preference, the way we have abandoned physical things in the US
For my parents and family/friends at home to feel the love of Jesus and chase him daily
F I N A N C I A L U P D A T E
I am a little less than 3,000 dollars away from being FULLY FUNDED. I am encouraged to reach this goal by the beginning of 2019.
I believe the Lord will provide – He brought in about 8,000 dollars in about 2 months.
HE IS SO GOOD.
If you would like to financially partner with me for this journey, click the orange “Donate!” tab. I pray the Lord returns the blessings you give 10-fold and gives you peace that surpasses all understanding.
I love you people.
I can’t wait for this journey.
Thank you for being a part of it with me.
All my love,
Hannah Beth
PS: My squad-mates call me Hannah Beth. We have 3 Hannah’s, and honestly, this childhood nickname brings me home. So, I am saying YES to that new name.
