Before I head off to the jungle, let me give you a glimpse of my week at World Race Launch.
I like stories….so let me tell you one!
I arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday, January 7th — a day earlier than most of the rest of my squad since I had to receive some training on my team treasurer duties. After a brief bit of training, I was given my team's credit card and the instructions "You have $5/person/day. N Squad you leave for the grocery store now. You have 30 minutes to buy your team's food for the week."
And so the madness began.
Honestly, I was mildly really stressed out. For several reasons….
First, I don't eat much. No, really, I don't. So, I have no idea how much food a person would normally eat. Much less, how much the two guys on my team would eat.
Second, the only thing available at the hotel to prepare the food with was a microwave.
And third, at the time, there was only one mini-fridge to store food in — shared with four other people who were buying food for their team as well.
After the initial onslaught of fear, insecurity, and frustration…. peace sank in. Because, AS ALWAYS, the Lord is in control. OF ALL THINGS. Even in the procurement of food for a World Race team.
And favour! The Lord blessed us with a check-out clerk who gave us the grocery store discount even though we didn't have a frequent buyer card. He blessed us with an ice machine and a sink to store milk in overnight (yes, that happened.). And he blessed us with an abundance of food for a small amount of money. Yes, He did.
He is good.
There has been so much incredible teaching and training this week. Let me share some thoughts the Lord has been calling forth in me this week:
- To be people of blessing! Choose joy. Speak a better word about our situations. Abundance mentality– we are living on limited resources, yet we believe that we have an abundance –> more than we need!
- Offenses –> what Satan uses to destroy unity. You can only be offended where you are offendable. Being offended reveals growth areas of our hearts/lives.
- Making the choice to love is often not emotionally satisfying. (to prefer others, not yourself, to choose grace, not anger)
- We are not to have a ministry of normalcy, but a soaking of the empowerment of the Spirit!
Tomorrow, I leave for Ecuador.
Tomorrow, life changes for me.
Tomorrow, I give up constant internet access, a comfortable bed, hot showers, balanced meals, and excess.
Tomorrow, I give up access to chocolate, comfort in the known, & consistent communication with those I love.
Tomorrow, I choose to enter into a life of dirt, discomfort, challenge and growth.
Tomorrow, I choose to spend my life as Jesus did.
I have entered into the world of healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, prophesying over people, breaking chains, hugging the outcast, preaching the Gospel.
Come, Lord Jesus. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
