Our squad is at Debrief in Honduras and we’re getting ready to pack up all of our things again and head to a new continent. This next big move has had me thinking back on everything we did, experienced, and learned in Central America. It’s not new news that I haven’t blogged much since starting the Race. These past four months have been nothing like I could have ever imagined. The Lord has overwhelmed me with incredibly joyous moments and astoundingly painful ones.
I feel like God is telling me to share the work he’s been doing in, through, and around me with you guys. I want to share the awesome ministry opportunities we’ve had and the things that were happening in my heart.
In September, our team launched from Atlanta, GA and traveled all over Panama on the search for Unsung Heroes. When a Race team does Unsung Heroes, they spend each day asking the Holy Spirit what he wants to do that day, where he wants to lead them, and then (usually through a crazy series of events) he leads them to ministries that need support and/or would like to partner with The World Race.
That first month was full of so many amazing experiences and new friends!
On our second morning in Panama City, we spent some time praying and reading scripture. We asked the Holy Spirit to reveal anything to us. When we came back together to talk about what he said, we had words and visions about spending time with children. Right as we were talking about that, a huge group of kids started to fill the garden. It was incredible. Little did we know, most of us would spend the next four months in ministries with kids all over Central America. (I LOVE when the Father let’s us in on his plans. It’s so much fun!)
This is our friend Marty (all the way on the right!). We met him at Luna’s Castle, the first hostel we stayed in. Cody, Jake, and I got to have an amazing talk with him late one night about The Lord. His questions were really good and stretched us so much.
One of the first days in the country, we got the chance to help FCMS with a one-day medical mission serving the families that lived around the Panama City dump. Yea, you read that right. The city dump. We helped to basic check-ups, dispense medication, do dental work, clothe and feed so many people. Cleveland and Matilda Cooper head up FCMS and they have a passion for being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Jim and Emma. (Emma’s face is a little covered up by her sweet mama’s head. Haha) Oh goodness, they are just the sweetest. Our team moved to David, Panama for our last week and got the chance to meet this incredible couple. They invited us to do ministry with them, to come with them to church, and on our last night, invited us into their home for dinner, warm showers, fresh laundry, and comfy beds. It was such a wonderful taste of home. They love Jesus so much and are full of so much wisdom.
September was full of our team diving deep together and getting to know each other, following the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit, and dipping our toes into The World Race. All the while, God was slowly revealing what he wanted to do in my heart, what he wanted to reveal, and what he wanted to teach me.
“September 9, 2014 – I’m not sure what I’m feeling lately, Lord. I feel scattered and like I’m waiting for something, but I don’t know what. Please speak to me. Please give me dreams and visions of you. Help me be an encouragement. Grow crazy amounts of fruit in me. I guess I’m being a little needy and asking for affirmation… but please affirm me and our relationship. Please let me in on what you want to teach me and how you want to use me. Call out the things in my heart you want to redeem, sanctify, and heal… and pour out your grace. Without your grace, I can do absolutely nothing.”
Word of Warning: be ready for The Lord to answer your prayers in ways you could never think of or imagine, especially when you ask him to grow you…
Stay tuned for Part Two: Costa Rica!
