It’s December and our time in Kyrgyzstan is coming to an end but first debrief. We have our second big debrief this month where we get to come together as a squad and reflect on the past few months of ministry and what the Lord has done in that time. Also, we have team changes!
New teams, new month, new continent… how lovely.
Kyrgyzstan was great, there were so many opportunities where we got to share the good news but also there were challenges that produced so much growth in preparation for the upcoming month!
I picture this process or this journey we are on as if we were pieces of gold or silver with impurities and imperfections that are being refined. Each country, each situation, each discomfort being worked through and out to produce something better, more beautiful, and more precious.
“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – 1Peter 1:7
“For you, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” –Psalm 66:10
Debrief is always nice because we get to see our squad mates that we haven’t seen in a while and reconnect. We get to come together and hear all the amazing stories the Lord did in these past months and get different perspectives on things we did within the same country we were in although we were all in different areas. Worshiping together as a squad and seeing the Holy Spirit move and be present in those moments where we are most vulnerable. Getting on our knees and having the Holy Spirit meet us where we are at. Giving him all the praise, all the thanksgiving, and all the power to move in and through our lives in this season.
This debrief however was also a time for change. Change in the areas of alumni team leaders leaving, raising up new squad leaders, and saying good bye to our original teams and getting new teams for the next couple of months.
Change is a funny thing because it’s inevitable. We know it’s going to happen, we know it’s good but, we don’t want it sometimes and yet were always so surprised when it happens and we go through a period of a somewhat painful readjustment.
I realized that I don’t like change unless I am in control of it. Can you relate? It’s a lot harder for me to walk in confidence with change when I do not have a say or if I do not know or have a plan for it. The crazy thing about doing this life with Jesus is that we may not always have a choice in what the Lord has planned for us and change has to happen in order for movement and growth. We don’t want a life with Jesus to be stagnant or a plateau. That’s boring!
A life with Jesus is full of wonder and excitement! It’s all about perspective and attitude in which you start your journey with. I have had to work through this bad habit of starting off or attacking a new task set before me already in defeat or starting off with a negative mindset.
Central Asia worked out so many lies that I believed and brought me into a place of so much freedom and growth. And I was not going to see the fruit of it until this change happened. We as well as others usually can’t see the transformation happening in us until exposed to change. I was in for a surprise!
Team changes was the beginning of this transformation and change. This brought back memories and the anxiety of when I was at training camp awaiting to see what team I was going to be a part of. It brought back questions of who was going to be on this team? Were they going to like me? Was I going to like them? Was I going to fit in? However, regardless of all this nonsense that was running through my head the Lord had it all under control. I loved my first team so much and He had hand-picked our team for that time so well how could I not trust that He would do the same for my second. There is always that little hint of doubt in the back of my head questioning.
In receiving the names of my new team I’m not going to lie I had mixed emotions I was excited but also nervous. Why? Because, it was a whole new group of girls that I had to purposefully work and choose to get to know. I had not really talked to some of them at all and did not know them and I was already missing the comfort of my old team. It was the discomfort of the unknown. However, after having some time to mourn my old team and welcome the idea of this new team of women there was an overwhelming peace, hope, and joy for what the Lord was going to do with us in this next season of time in Africa.
New team, new continent, and an Awakening!
The transition period was not that bad because we traveled together as a squad and would be together for a little while longer at the Awakening along with another squad for a couple of days.
Africa – Ethiopia! I never thought I would have the opportunity in my life to even be able to visit Africa! One can only imagine what you see, hear, and read about Africa and what it would be like. It is absolutely beautiful in such a unique way. So much more different than the previous places we have been in. There is a sense of wonder entering into this new season in this new continent! I’m excited to keep you all in the loop of what this sense of wonder looks like and feels like! Stay tuned, Africa here we come!
