Quick update y'all! I'm currently in Boston, getting ready to board a plane to Dublin, Ireland. I'm on a squad of 55 people who will all leave sometime tonight to head to Ireland and disperse about the nation building kingdom everywhere we go. I have been so tremendously blessed to be on a team with 6 other amazing individuals who I will introduce to you in uno momento. These are the people I will live with, travel with, eat, sleep, and just do life with all day every day. Our team name is Theophilus. Theophilus means, "lover of God" and is who the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were addressed to. The message of the Gospel of Luke was intended for the own personal instruction of Theophilus as well as the instruction of those among whom the book would be circulated. It was written to strengthen the faith of all believers and to answer the attacks of unbelievers. It was presented to displace disconnected and ill-founded reports about Jesus. Luke wanted to show that the place of the Gentile Christian in God’s kingdom is based on the teaching of Jesus. He wanted to commend the preaching of the gospel to the whole world. And that is exactly what we want to do. We are indeed lovers of God and we intend to show that love everywhere we go this next year. We hope to know Him more, to love Him more, to be more like Him, and to make Him known to others. This is a team that God has known about and anticipated since the beginning of time. Theophilus is predestined, planned and loved. So without further ado, allow me to introduce you to these unrelenting lovers of God:
First my two Wisconsin gals:
Em is a gentle giant. She is hand down the most encouraging person I have ever encountered. She's constantly filling our team and those around her with positive affirmations and has the ability to recognize the area where a person is in need of encouragement, then offers it at the drop of a hat. Em pursues Jesus with a passion and lives to glorify Him daily.
Courtney is the most quotable person alive. She's a hoot. And I have a major soft spot for this little lady. She effortlessly radiates God's beauty from the inside out. He gentle and fun-loving demeanor is contagious and I'm so excited to watch God work in and through her this next year.
Jillian Mangoni: (team treasurer)
Jillian is a positive and happy little Florida girl. She's taking the responsibility of team treasurer for Theo. I couldn't think of a better person to do this task. She is very calm and collected but able to be goofy and fun at the same time. She will help manage our funds and keep us on budget as well as handle all the money exchanges we will have to deal with on this adventure. She is very easy going and reliable.
Katie hails from the great stat of Washington. She is a very down to earth person and extremely approachable. We bond over music and our ridicules sense of humor. I'm so blessed that she is on my team and excited to dive into this thing together and grow leaps and bounds together.
Travis is from Georgia and a southern gentlemen he is indeed. It's safe to say he is the strong and quiet type. Although he is very soft spoken, every time he opens him mouth he says something worth listening to. I appreciate his boldness and protectiveness over our team. He makes us girls feel very safe which is great 🙂
KJ Blair: (squad logistics)
KJ is from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a riot, never a dull moment when he's around. At the same time he is a great care-taker. Kj will be doing logistics for the entire squad and he thrives in doing so. He is extremely intelligent and able to articulate his thoughts and ideas very well. Kj's like your really fun uncle. That loving one that you always want to be around. I'm so blessed to be on a team with this guy!
And then there's me:
Team leader. Wait, what!? Team leader? That's right, I will be leading this team of 7 our into the nations. Whoa. What an honor and a privilege. I know that I am able to lead first and for most because I am lead by or one and only Savior! 'm so excited and thrilled for this opportunity and adventure that awaits and I just ask for your prayers over this anointed team. Please join us in praying over team Theo this next year. Pray that our hearts continue to stay committed to the cause of Christ and that God will continue to work in and through us, blessing others who cross our paths. Please stalk my teammates and keep up with them, they may be able to update when I cannot and vice versa.
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" Romans 10:15
Team Theo is scheduled to arrive in Dublin early in the morning, from there my team and I will take a bus to Belfast and finally a train to a little town in Northern Ireland called Coleraine. This month we are blessed to partner with two other teams on our squad and work and live together for the entire month.
I shall update again as soon as I can with ministry details and all that jazz, thank you all for your love and support, thoughts and prayers!
