The song ‘I will be home for Christmas” has a whole new meaning for me now that I am back in the States just in time for the holidays! As I have enjoyed spending the holidays with my family, I have also been thinking about the last eleven months. I would like to share with you a brief overview of each month. Specifically what God taught me, what ministry looked like that month and a funny lesson I learned. I hope you enjoy.
Here are a few terms you will find helpful as you read the blog.
ATL – Ask The Lord – During the times when we did not have a host, we would ask God for direction and act upon it.
PVT – Parent Vision Trip – A week, when our parents visited and did ministry with us.
RSQL – Raised up Squad Leader
YWAM – A Mission Organization
Month 1 Australia
What God taught me: Our measure of success is not necessarily His measure of success. God is more concerned about the individual and we need to be willing to invest time into each person.
What we did: We worked with YWAM doing a lot of street evangelism! We also did a pancake and chai event a couple of times while we were there.
Take Away: While hiking in a jungle in Australia, it might not be a good idea to climb a vine because you might fall and get a little scrapped up. Then again, it does make for a funny story and lots of laughs for the people watching.
Month 2 Indonesia
What God taught me: It is more important to find your identity in God, than in what you do. Also, what you do should come from God and be in-line with what He has planned for you.
What we did: Our first ATL month. In this country, I actually had a roommate from CFNI that lived there and her father was a pastor. We worked with her at her father’s church doing kid’s ministry, house church and anything else to be a help to the Pastor.
Take Away: Do not believe everything you see on the internet. For example, Brown Canyon looked like this really cool small version of the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately it was actually just a construction site! However, I am glad I took the opportunity to go see it. It can turn into a fun adventure and you can develope a lifetime friend!
This is what we saw online about Brown Canyon
This is what we saw
Month 3 Sri Lanka
What God taught me: How important prayer is and that we should start all ministry with it. Also, God will protect me from what the devil has meant for harm. The Lord is my shield and I am never alone.
What we did: This was an ATL month and prayer became our main focus due to the spiritual oppression in the area. We met people in the cafes and by walking around. Often we handed out cookies with notes about God to the people we encountered while out walking or while being served in the cafes. It was a great way to share the love of God with the people we met.
Take Away: Facing my greatest fear – snakes! While my teammates at first did not believe how big the Cobra snake was that I encountered at the bottom of the stairs, I came out of the situation much stronger knowing that God protects! Later my teammates recognized I was not lying when they saw the Cobra snake in a ditch. Of course, they saw it from a safe distance – not within striking distance.
Month 4 India
What God taught me: The importance of community and how we need to invite people to do life with us. To not divide friend groups but to bring those together to let God’s light shine.
What we did: We worked with an organization going to villages to share about God and pray for the believers living there. Also, a part of the month was ATL and our ministry became the people staying in the hostel. We did life with them and invited them to hang out with our team. Some amazing conversations came out of this time and even one person coming to know God!
Take Away: If you ever feel like you should stay up to have time with Jesus, just do it. It might turn into someone coming to know God, it did for me. You may only get a couple of hours of sleep but it is worth it.
Month 5 Nepal
What God taught me: To be still (which is really hard for me). I am such a active person, however, the Lord was asking me to be still before Him and allow Him to fight for me.
What we did: We had a week where we got to serve with a church and an organization that helped the homeless in the area. Throughout the day we met with people and talked to them about God. Also, this month I began training to be a RSQL.
Take Away: We took an overnight bus trip to meet up with the squad. You learn that you spend most of the time in the air not in your seat. You might almost lose a teammate because she needed to go to the bathroom and the bus was about to leave without her. Remember, what makes a trip special is the people you get to spend time with. So don’t forget to make eye contact and laugh – because there is nothing else you can do. Life is an adventure and sometimes you just need to embrace the crazy because it can turn into the best memories.
Month 6 China
What God taught me: He opened my eyes to what the persecuted church goes through and how much freedom we have in America. Also, God can use you to open a door in a forgotten city and no matter how long it has been, God had not forgotten them.
What we did: This was another ATL month. I got to set up an English club at a café for another team to run. We also prayed for the city and the police officers that followed us. We represented Christ as best as we could to the police officers who were with us, and we were able to meet some sisters in Christ, so cool!
Take Away: If someone says free hip-hop class, say yes. It will be a fun bonding time and might turn into some cool conversations with people.
Month 7 Kyrgyzstan
What God taught me: Endurance! When you are tired, turn you focus to God not on the situation around you. Trust in Him even if it feels like everything is falling apart – God has it all in control.
What we did: Another ATL month. We ended up staying with a family that owned a Yurt that they had posted about on Airbnb. We went to live, love, serve and share God with the family we stayed with. We were able to translate a part of the gospel into their language and bless them with pictures of the area for their website. Their son used to live in Texas so we were able to talk to him so he could share with his parents why we wanted to bless them.
Take Away: Your teammate may say “Let’s go horseback riding!” Initially I thought no but eventually said yes. Then my horse went running off into the sunset without my permission. Do I regret my yes? Not at all, it was worth every second riding through the mountains and bringing joy to all who watched me lose control of my horse.
Month 8 / Part 1 Kazakhstan
What God taught me: He continued to teach me to trust Him and to find my strength in Him. Also to let His strength help me to do everything He asks of me. During this time, God showed me that what He had been teaching me was preparing me for this trip and now He was preparing me for the next thing. Never underestimate the jobs or places the Lord has you in.
What we did: Another ATL month. This time we had a host that was a family friend of one of our teammates. We worked with a youth group teaching English and sharing about God
Take Away: Be prepared. Someone may say “Let’s go see Almaty Lake.” It is a beautiful blue lake! But when the car is not able to make it up the hill, you may have to hitch hike.
Month 8 / Part 2 Azerbaijan
What God taught me: The importance of leaning of the people around you and allowing them to help you.
What we did: This was a time of debriefing. It allowed the squad to come together, refocus, rest and cast vision for the next couple of months.
Take Away: When someone says “Let’s get ice cream!” Go – there is no such thing as too much ice cream.
Month 9 / Part 1 Georgia
What God taught me: How thankful I am for my parents and family! It was also a time when I realized how much my squad had become my family and how hard it was going to be to say goodbye to them
What we did: PVT – our parents visited and did ministry with us for a week.
Take Away: That the people you travel with will become your family and that you need to treasure every moment you have with them. And those late night hangouts are best for catching up on what you did that day.
Month 9 / Part 2 Turkey
What God taught me: Reignited my passion to fight for others – that my voice is powerful and not to be afraid to speak up. Also, he reinforced the importance of living a life of prayer and worship. And finally, to step out of my comfort zone to lead worship, because it is not about being perfect – it is about worshiping God.
What we did: We had two hosts while in Turkey. The first was a burn which was 100 hours of prayer and worship on the back hill of Ephesus. The second was a prayer house, where we would pray and then go out to build relationships.
Take Away: When it is the Sabbath and someone says “Let’s go to Greece for the day by ferry!” Go – it was restful, full of fun conversation and great songs.
Month 10 / Part 1 Greece
What God taught me: The importance of supporting other people’s dreams. Also, something as simple as pointing out their Country’s biblical history may help people’s eyes to be opened to the fact the God is real and that they need Him.
What we did: Another ATL. This time we did a treasure hunt and some pretty cool things came out of that. We also got to bless a hotel that just opened and pray for them.
Take Away: Celebrating someone’s birthday can turn into a really cool opportunity to share about God and pray for them
Month 10 / Part 2 Spain
What God taught me: It is not about the end destination but the journey along the way; to SLOW DOWN and allow myself to have fun; to focus on Him and the people around me, not just what I need to do; to invest in people and walk at their pace; that sometimes things are hard but to see what God is doing in the midst of it; and that walking miles is worth it for the community you get to build with others.
What we did: We walked the Camino and told people about our journey with God.
Take Away: When someone says “Let’s stop for coffee.” Stop, take a break and enjoy the conversation.
Month 11 Morocco
What God taught me: To enjoy every moment you can and to end a season well. How much my heart burns for the lost and how grateful I am for this opportunity the Lord gave me. I do not want what is comfortable anymore but to continue what the Lord has been teaching me.
What we did: We had a host, so we worked with a church doing anything we could to help them. This included kid’s ministry, teaching professional business classes, cleaning, bible study and teaching at a school for a day.
Take Away: Popcorn machines are your best friend and create opportunities to hang out with friends. It also makes a great snack.
Now that I am home, I am getting to share about my journey – about all the funny, crazy, scary, heart-warming and amazing moments when the Lord moved in my life.
Thank you all! It was because of each one of you that people got to hear about God all around the world. You made it possible for me to connect with so many people and build relationships with people from all different backgrounds.
This is just a small overview of each month that I thought you would enjoy. I love you and thank you for following my journey. I will update you on what the Lord says is next as I continue to seek Him!
