So here I am… Up in front of 53 people leading a worship song. “A” worship song because it is really the only one I can confidently play on the guitar. The song is called Always Forever by Phil Wickham. A few people know the song, but not enough to where I can actually hear people singing… until the chorus when they start to catch on. It was probably one of the scariest things I have ever done in front of people. Definitely something I never thought I would ever do… lead worship!
I don’t really care to be up in front of people… which is a huge part of my new role. Basically everything about squad leading is out of my comfort zone. It is challenging me and stretching me! When I see myself, I do not see a “squad leader,” but I know I am capable. I only know that because God gave me such peace about stepping into this position when I prayed about it before accepting. And that peace gives me confidence… Confidence knowing that God is going to work in and through me to lead this squad along with Ryan and Thomas. That God will give me the words to say and the wisdom I need to do this.
This past month has been great! Thomas, Ryan, and I spent the month training with Mike and Stacey. We traveled around and visited teams… us stepping into the role and having Mike and Stacey there to help us. We planned debrief which happens at the end of months 4, 8, and 11. Staff flies out… they do some teaching with the squad… we have a lot of worship together… we meet with each team and talk about how they are doing and where they want to grow in the months to come… Debrief is awesome! It is basically a time of refreshment.
Debrief is also the time for Ryan, Thomas, and I to step into complete leadership. So… I spent lots of time in front of the squad this past week! But, with each time I was challenged to get out of my comfort zone, I felt a new FREEDOM. It was awesome! It is absolutely crazy to think back to the person I was back at training camp… or even just the person I was one month ago. God is teaching me a lot about walking in confidence and finding freedom! I love it!
With debrief ending… We had to say goodbye to Mike and Stacey. We will hopefully be seeing them again at our month 8 and month 11 debriefs. I have grown into the person I am today because they have fought for me these past 4 months… fought for me to step into the person Christ has created me to be. Thank you Mike and Stacey! You both mean so much to me! Love you!
Even though Mike and Stacey have left the field, they are still in need of some support in order to be able to fly back out to our other 2 debriefs. Please pray and consider supporting them. Check out their blogs at http://michaelsanders.theworldrace.org/ and http://staceycompton.theworldrace.org/. There is a “support me” link on the left side of their blogs.
And again… I want to thank all of my supporters for making this incredible journey possible for me!!! I could not be experiencing any of this without you. I am living in complete JOY right now of the opportunities I am given and the work God is doing in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
This is possible because of you!
Thailand…
Nicaragua…
Honduras…
Guatemala…
Seven more months to go! More places to be… people to meet… and God to share!
Thank you!!!!!!!!
