It’s that time again! Somehow, I’m about to enter my month 9 of the race. That being so, we have a debrief in the capitol of Sofia, Bulgaria before some NEWNESS happens.
What is this newness, you might ask?
WELL…….
1. We are CHANGING CONTINENTS and heading to AFRICAAAA for the last 3 months of the race. So that will be quite a gear switch from eastern European culture. BUT I’m PUMPED!
2. Before we head to Africa in a few days, we are having our THIRD team change. I have spent the last 4 months on an AMAZING team of women who have taught me so much, loved me so well, and have given me frequent ab pains from heavy laughter.
This last team change was so sovereignly orchestrated by the Lord, and I so clearly see the ways the He wanted me to learn from the different women on my team and give away wisdom that He has given me to them also. Our time together was SO sweet and encouraging, and I am thankful for the sisterhood that was established between Team R1:16.
Here’s a picture of us all together from the past 4 months:
In Thailand:
In Albania:
In Greece:
In Bulgaria:
(with our new friend and sister in Christ, Nicolle, who was our AMAZING translator)
(getting prayed over buy the Bulgarian church we were serving with)
Heavenly days, I LOVE YOUUUU AMAZING WOMEN!
A few things I’ve learned from these women SO seeking after the Lord with all they are:
-Giving and being generous is ALWAYS an option, even when we have few material things while on the Race.
-To view serving as a JOY and a way to LOVE your team, the Lord, and those around you so tangibly
-Discipline!! These women SEEK out time with their Creator: to know Him more and be fed by His Word, NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS THEM! They are willing to lay down being entitled to sleep and having their free time and let go of distractions that could seem more “fun” to KNOW JESUS!
-Respecting others’ time; they’re trying to make a punctual woman out of me… I’m praying for the Lord’s help… HA!
-being a go-getter and doing what needs to be done, regardless of anyone else is doing it.
-to PRAY without ceasing and bear another’s burdens of prayer with them. We saw God MOVE as we were praying for each other’s battles and families and struggles!
-SISTERHOOD! These women have shown me what it is to live in community the way the Lord has designed us to. I have been called up to living more fully for Christ, encouraged at what they see Him doing in and through me, and blessed with intense laughing spells and memories to last FOREVER! We haven’t simply lived life together every single day for the past 4 months. Together, we have been channels for God’s Kingdom to come to earth wherever we have been by being connected to the Source of life and love and inviting others to know their Creator as well!
I am eternally thankful to the Lord for these, my sisters!
3. This chapter of my life on the Race only consists of about 88 more days!! This means GREAT change is coming for me and all of my squad mates as we gear up for the transition back home to the U S of A. Though this year of our lives will be one we will look back on and be in awe of for the rest of our lives, it is NOT the BEST the Lord has coming for us! I am convinced that this is just another stepping stone forward. God has good works for us prepared ahead, and these months on the Race have taught us how better to glorify Him, thrive in community that adores Jesus, and intentionally love and serve those around us ANYWHERE we are. We will continue to live our lives each day doing the same things we have grown into doing: being with the Lord, being with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and seeking to know and invite the Lord’s creations around us into the same LIFE we have now in Him!!
I don’t have a 5 year plan for my life. I don’t know exactly what I will do when I get back home, but I do know the Lord goes before me. In all this constant change, the Lord is FOR me and He never ceases planning and working for His glory and my good!
I am eternally thankful that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Again and again, He will lead me WELL into this next segment of the Race and on into every season of this life to come.
Please be praying for my squad as we come together in times of worship and gleaning from Scripture, times of discovering more of these details that are new and will shift what has become normal to us the past few months. Pray that we would resolve to DIVE IN head first to new teams and a new culture and magnify Jesus well with our African brothers and sisters during our time with them!
Pray also for safe travels and protection as we get settled into month 9!
My time on the Race has been marked so substantially by the grace of God in BIG ways and tiny details. This grace and all the things I’ve been experiencing have been so affected by your prayers!! Thank you for your hearts to support me and pray for God’s Kingdom to come here on earth!
I LOVE YOU ALL! 😀
