SPEAK UP
Those were the words that were spoken over us as a squad during this past debrief in Hua Hin, Thailand. We all came together as a group (all 62 of us) plus Sean Smith and Jimmy McCarthy, both alumni of the race, and now on staff with AIM as well as Mama C and Pappy (our squad parents) and Michael and Kathie Hindes.
I was super excited about this time coming into it. I was looking forward to seeing my squad mates that are not on my team as well as excited for some teaching and squad worship. Beyond that I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was just ready to be challenged.
We had some awesome sessions with Michael, worshipped with Alana had a feedback session with Sean, slightly intimidating, and just really enjoyed community with each other. But it was during the last day together that the Spirit really fell. It was one of the most humbling, breathtaking experiences. I cant even begin to describe the feeling, its one of those….you have to be there to truly understand it….experiences. I have never been in a gathering of christians where the Spirit felt closer or the presence of the Lord felt nearer. It was absolutely breathtaking. Jimmy profesied over us as a squad and his words were from the Lord, words full of truth, encouragement, life, but most of all, challenge. Challenge to speak up, challenge to step out and be bold, challenge to stop waiting for someone else, challenge to achieve our full potential, challenge to BE the generation who makes a difference, challenge to be the generation who walks with the manifest presence of God.
This was exactly what I needed. I can honestly say that I have not been been walking in that boldness the Lord has given me but rather walking with timidity, which is not a characteristic of a child of God. I have never been so challenged or felt so excited to go out and make a difference. I want to bring with me the manifest presence of God. I want to be a part of the generation that makes a difference.
So it was during this debrief that I started speaking up, that I started speaking my heart, in love. Its been a long time coming, I am not always sure what it looks like but I now know that it includes putting a voice to that feeling I have inside, that feeling that at times can be so strong but that I always choose to keep silent. Well not anymore. I am a child of God and my voice is important, He has given me passions for a reason. It is not my choice to be silent anymore. I am alive, here and doing this work because the Lord has appointed me, and it my responsibility to step into my potential. So I am more excited for the next 6 months than I ever been for anything in my life.
It reminds me of the name of my first team……
HINENI
Here I Am
Here I Stand
I Am Ready
That is my new declaration
No longer will I be silent, timid, afraid, apathetic, scared. Because what I know, the Truth of the Lord that I know is what the world needs to hear. Silence is no longer an option because what the world needs is………..BOLDNESS
Jimmy also approached us about opportunities for life after the Race. He doesn’t usually give this talk to squads during month 5 because he does not want to distract us from what is in front of us here and now. However, he said our squad is different and he wanted to give us this talk face to face and since we will not see him again he gave it to us now. He has some initiatives that he is working on right now, as well as opportunities to squad lead and lead Real Life Trips. He is so full of passion that we all just sat there mesmerized by him and the work that the Lord is doing through him. Statistically Starbucks employs more WR alumni than any other Christian organization. That is not ok…..we have seen so much on this trip that many times people do not even know where to start when they return. His goal is to create opportunities based on callings and passions we develop while on this race. We all came out of this fully encouraged and excited but we still have 6 months so we are trying to just tuck it away in the back of our minds until September.
I have been entertaining this thought for a few months now and it seems to be getting stronger and that is to lead one of the Real Life trips. I do not know where or when it would be but I know the Lord has put it on my heart for a reason so we shall see.
Ok so story time…..I think you guys might enjoy this. On our last day together Sean came to us to discuss our squad finances. Since we are a family he read off the list of us who are still short of their final support goal. Well I knew I was on that list and I just sat there waiting for him to call my name. Ok so you all know my last name, its uncommon to say the least. I mean it would not be the first time that someone mispronounced it, at this point in my life I usually just laugh at them, I actually kinda enjoy watching them struggle sometimes. Well anyway Sean comes to my name, he doesn’t even attempt it, I just jump in and pronounce it for him. What follows was a first. He says it sounds like the name of a dinosaur and then gives me a high five. I was comical I mean in 23 years I had never bean told it sounds like a dinosaur. Em could not stop laughing about and the squad found it funny so I just laughed it off. I know one day I will get married and my husband with probably have the most common name and then I will miss my last name. So until then I just enjoy it.
All joking aside, by the end of this month (March 31st) to be exact our entire squad has to be fully supported. The Lord has done some amazing things already but I humbly come before you one last time. I am still in need of $975 I know many of you have already given to me financially and for that I am forever blessed and thankful. Without you I wouldn’t be where I am right now. I know the Lord has me here for a reason and also that He will provide for me. If you feel led to donate to help me meet my final goal that would be a huge blessing.
Thank you guys
Until Next Time
Annalisa
