So, if i’m being totally honest, last month in Colombia felt like a month of pure favor. I felt comfortable and loved. There were so many familiarities in the way that we were doing ministry. We did fun children’s programs in the streets. We lead worship for several services at 3 different locations. We prayed with so many families in their homes. And we went into the streets to evangelize. And out of all these things, the only one that was a little uncomfortable and new for me was evangelizing. Luckily though, I was able to hide behind the few teammates who spoke better Spanish than me, or hide behind being the translator myself for those who needed it; so I let them speak through me.
Recap video of Colombia is attached below!
But it’s now month 2 on the race. We’re in Ecuador. And we’re with a new ministry.
And God has been pushing me out of my comfort zone since the first week we got here.
Our lovely leadership team planned a 5 day debrief in Banos, Ecuador, to focus on relaxation, refueling, and the space to check up on how our first month of ministry went for all 26 of us. One of those nights we had an activity encouraging us to be vulnerable. Remember: community is only as good as the level of vulnerability you’re willing to spur out and let in.
So. There we were with 2 postcards. On the first one, we were asked to write down the lies we believe from the enemy and what we struggle with. On the 2nd one, we wrote down what God says is true about us.
I wasn’t sure what we were going to do with these cards, so I wrote my heart out, made sure not to write my name & changed my penmanship slightly. Y’know, just in case we turned them in.
Then they opened up the space to share what we wrote. But only if we wanted to. There was absolutely no pressure, which was nice. So in my head, I decided I was going to just keep these to myself.
Then my squad-mates so bravely started to share. One by one. In tears. Everyone exposing their struggles. The lies that they believe. Trusting this community with the lowest muck of their souls. For some, this was the fist time they said these things out loud to anyone.
The entire time, I was fighting God. I was saying, “nope, I don’t need to share this. Yeah, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that struggles with this or that, but I think it’s ok for now to not share yet. It’s too soon. I’ll share later.” But, I know when God is nudging and I couldn’t fight it anymore. With cards in my shaking hands, I finally read them out loud.
I’m not going to share here what I wrote about just yet, but know that this was the first time I shared what I did with more than 2 of my closest best friends. Let alone a group of 30 people I barely met 3 months ago.
But….
It. Was. So. Freeing.
I instantly felt a weight off my shoulder and a sigh in my heart that was waiting to be released for so many years. There I was sitting on the cold, outdoor rooftop of our hostel with the eyes of this new family on me. And all I felt was love, warmth and the hope that this was going to be the beginning of flying in freedom of the Father’s truth about who I am.
This month in Ecuador we are staying with our entire squad. That’s 26 people in one house. And let me tell you: I have walked around that house full of my friends, never once ashamed of what they know about me. Never once doubting that they see me as the beautiful, pure daughter of Christ. I’m so glad I started this month pursuing vulnerability and dismissing fear to be seen and known.
If you would like to see a highlight of what our ministry in Colombia looked like last month, please watch the video below that my teammate, Wesley made! Enjoy! 
