It’s been an incredible last week of ministry for the squad here in Ecuador. Currently I’m in the city of Banos, awaiting the entire squad to arrive so we can begin our first official debrief on the field. We can’t wait to see everybody! Teresa, Kaylaynn, and myself have a huge amount of anticipation and excitement, because we get the honor of leading these 54 amazing men and women as they take this journey called the World Race. When everybody’s together, it’s literally like a family reunion!
(Teresa, Kaylaynn, & myself in our hostel, working on debrief stuff for the squad.)
So, as I said a few months back when I announced I’d be squad leading, my role and my ministry this time around, look a little different than a typical “missionary.”
Because of that, it’s hard to put into words what the Lord is doing, mostly because my ministry is within the squad. As we pour into them, they get to do the “typical ministry” one might expect someone on the field to be doing.
I share all of that because, I may post a little about “ministry”, but ultimately, I have more of a pastoral role this go-round. I may instead talk more about what the Lord is walking me through and doing in my life, because I obviously can’t share personal information about what I see Him doing in the squad that I get to serve this year.
I hope that makes sense. If not, ask for clarification, please, and I will elaborate. To sum that up though, I will protect their stories, but still try to share what God is doing.
(Last week I had the pleasure of joining two teams at their ministries. Here, Kristy & Grant are making bracelets with the ladies at the ministry site in Ecuador.)
Anyways, I wanted to share with y’all something big God has been walking me through since being out here. It actually began back in November, before I even launched for the World Race. Destiny had been researching names and their meanings and decided to share with me what my name meant.
From that point on, she began to call me, “Dustin.”
For those of you who don’t know, that’s my real given name.
Fast forward… At the end of December while attending my church back home in Franklin, NC, Brian Southard had preached one Sunday on the power of your name and how it really is prophetic and plays a big role in “who you are” in life.
(Because, why wouldn't I add a random goofy picture of Brian & myself, right?!)
This really got me to thinking.
For years now most of you know I’ve went by, “Dusty.” However, this actually didn’t start until around 2006. Prior to that, I always went by “Dustin.” Unfortunately, around the time I had my name change, I wasn't exactly living for the Lord 100%.
I won’t go into details, because they really aren’t important, but it didn’t hit me till recently, ever since I started living as “Dusty”, I struggled a lot with sin, identity, and insecurities.
(Me back in 2006.)
Then a few months back all of this “meaning of your name” stuff started coming up. At first I brushed it off, but the more I thought about it and prayed into it, the more I couldn’t help get off my mind.
Our first week on the field here in Ecuador, the Lord really spoke to me.
One morning just before waking up, the Lord gave me a dream…
I was standing in a shower and I was covered in dust. Head to toe, you could hardly even tell who I was.
The next thing I know, God dumps a huge bucket of water over me and completely washes every-bit of dust off of me. As soon as this happens, the Lord spoke to me and said, “You’re not ‘Dusty’ anymore.”
I immediately woke up, grabbed my journal and began to write. I knew what this dream meant.
(Little me around 7 years old. I reckon one might say, I've always been a character.)
God spoke so clearly to me. Probably more clearly than ever before. He was calling me into my true name. The identity given to me by Dad and Mom on Sunday, September 27th, 1987 when I first entered this world.
All that to say, it’s name change time for this dude…
“Dusty” was a cool guy, but “Dustin”, “Dustin Mick”, or “Mick” (I'll let y'all choose) will be even cooler!
So there you have it, down with the old man, up with the new!
Oh yeah, and one last thing… I know what you’re all thinking. “So, Dustin Mick, what does your name mean?”
“Dustin Mick” means:
Dustin: BRAVE WARRIOR Mick: WHO IS LIKE GOD
I think I like it.
(Me sitting on the equator here in Ecuador! Such a cool spot!)
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
– Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Love y’all!
P.S. My appendix (or the lack there of I guess) are doing wonderful! Thanks for the continued prayers! Peru, Month 2… Here we come!
P.P.S. If you're still interested in helping support me financially, I'd gladly receive it. I'm still about $1,500 away in my support account, and also I'm needing personal help, too, if anyone is interested. Paying for my emergency surgery set me back a bit. If you'd like to help contribute to either, please let me know! It'd be much appreciated!
