This month is uniquely unlike any other month I’ve had on the race so far. In the seven other countries my team has partnered with an existing ministry there. They plan our ministry schedule everyday, our lodging and even sometimes our food. We don’t have a partner organization in Armenia but we do have God. This month is what the world race calls ATL – Ask the Lord. Each day we wake up and ask the Lord what he has for us that day. Already ATL is strengthening our muscles of peace, trust and discernment in following Christ.
Team Zola-ish, or as we like to say Zish is posted up at a cutie little Airbnb apartment. We are loving our home this month! The beds are comfy, wi-if is strong, elevator is working, oven is lighting and the windows offer a view of mount Ararat. Just hoping the rat we hear scurrying in the walls doesn’t make an appearance.
As for ministry we’ve all felt lead to study the Bible together in public places. So as a group we’ve been continuing our bible studies in public parks. Cami, our squad leader, and her guitar are with us this month so we’ve been able to worship in the parks and even the Armenian genocide museum. Sometimes incorporating painting or drawing which usually draws people over.
Jada, Megan & I feel called to do gym ministry. We were excited to live out something we are all passionate about and be a light to other women in the gym. Hopefully form connections, invite them to bible studies, meals, the opera…endless opportunities!
So one day we walked around the entire city of Yerevan. I’m not kidding! We searched high and low for a nearby reasonably priced gym. Jada was out sick so that first day Meg and I joined an hour long Pilates class and immediately started meeting women. The entire class was led in Armenian and we all laughed and bonded with the ladies over trying to follow along. Shared laughter and language barriers are some of my favorite moments on the race and offered us a deeper chance of connection. By the end of the class our abs hurt – either from laughter or the workout idk – and the ladies all said “you come back on Wednesday right?” And “do you know step aerobics? Tomorrow!”
The three of us have been going back ever since. One of our instructors Naira has the biggest most beautiful smile whether she’s saying “no no no” and rushing over to bend our bodies into the correct position OR smiling at us with a thumbs up and saying “good job. You are strong.” Bonding together with instructors and regulars over step aerobic (fails) has allowed us to share with the women that we are missionaries and our love of Jesus.
All this to say stepping out for ATL, in faith can produce fear in our bones if our eyes are focused on the outcome instead of the father. You know that story about the disciples in Matthew where they’re out at sea and the storm comes? Jesus came walking up to them & I’m sure their first reaction was terror. So Jesus calls out to them “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter took that first faith step! However if you keep reading Peter needed constant reassurance and encouragement to keep going. It’s so easy for us to read that and be like “duh dude Jesus is literally right in front of you right now. How can you doubt that??” But how often do we hear from God and hesitate to take the steps. Terrified and fearful because we don’t see the outcome.
