Being in Albania this past month was such a sweet gift from the Lord, and I am calling it my favorite month on the race thus far.
I grew a lot in spiritual discipline this month, really the simple stuff like intentional prayer each day and consistent Bible study along with that. Things that are VITAL to know Jesus and to be in tune with His Spirit. And in these consistencies that the Sprit gave me the energy for, I have experienced deeper intimacy with the Lord this month!
Also, as a team, I realize now that something the Lord was speaking to me at the beginning of the month (that the past month would be an Acts-like month, and I assumed this to mean crazy and miraculous experiences!!) truly meant that as a team we would be walking in a healthy, unified way like in Acts chapter 2! So thank you, Lord, for clarifying that and for helping us learn how to walk in community with such encouragement, clear communication, and grace to walk with one another in the midst of what we’re learning and experiencing.
The time in Albania was just what I needed to refresh and refocus for the rest of the Race. Still with 5 months ahead, I know that time is flying by, and I want to be fully engaged and energized to be a vessel of the Lord totally devoted to ministry and community wherever we are so that He is most glorified.
We are currently in Skopje, Macedonia for a few days for a time of Debrief for the past few months since team changes. This month several of our teams will be doing ATL ministry, or Ask the Lord, where literally we’re sitting down and trusting the Lord to speak to us and give each of the teams doing ATL direction on where he wants us in Macedonia (or outside of Macedonia..) and what He wants us to be doing.
After praying, some research, and some more praying, AND feeling some frustration that we didn’t hear from the Lord anything very specific, we finally felt led to head out of Macedonia for the month and do ministry in…..
cue small trumpet.. *dah dah dah DAHHH*………………….
GREECE!
HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! We’ll be in Thessaloniki, Greece staying at the same hostel as another team. We feel the Lord leading our team to do a lot of street ministry this month–doing some evangelism and sharing the Gospel and love of Jesus while meeting the practical needs of people where we can. Homelessness in Greece seems to be a big issue, so we are excited to dive in and be led by the Lord to love on a whole lot of people who are often mistreated, judged, or overlooked altogether. God sees these individuals who He created in His own image, and we are SO excited to get out of our comfort zones of hard routines and scheduled ministry to follow His leading and reach out to them!! Only the Lord knows what awesome opportunities and divine appointments He will lead us into this month! I pray we dare to ask for BIG and bold things to happen for the glory of Jesus!
Please be praying for safe travels for us as we head to Greece tomorrow and for safe travels for the whole squad as we get to our respective ministry sites for the month. Also be praying the Lord does BIG things in our lives and these precious lives we will cross paths with to increase His glory and further His Kingdom.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR LOVE! 😀
