I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
~ Psalm 34
Let me tell you how good the Lord has been to me.
He continues to heal and sustain me through everything, just as He always has.
Last week I had to go to two doctors appointments with the purpose of determining if I was healthy enough to go on the Race. Why on earth didn’t I do that before I applied for the trip, you ask? Simple. These health issues started coming up after I was accepted into the Race. Coincidence? I think not. It took me weeks before I realized I’ve been under spiritual attack.
One of the issues is pulmonary – I was diagnosed with pneumonia and whooping cough in early November. The only other time in my life when I had pneumonia was right after I was born; my dad told me at one point they thought I may not live. Here is something amazing I just realized: the Lord is trying to birth something new in my heart now. In fact, when I was at training camp, a squad mate came up to me and spoke a prophecy over me and the very first thing she said: “Kelly, God is giving birth to a new thing in you.” So, just like the Enemy may have been threatened by my birth into the world, he is now threatened by this new thing God is birthing inside my heart… so he’s bringing up old wounds to try to destroy my faith. During these two “birthing” transitions, the Enemy has attacked – both when I was born and now. Whoa!
The other issue I’ve been having may result in me having to have surgery. Not life-threatening, but enough to delay my Race and cause some other issues. As I waited in the waiting room, that same squad mate’s words came to my mind – worry and doubt only come from the Enemy. The Lord will only give peace and comfort, never worry.
I am so thankful to report that both doctors gave me the OK to go on the Race! I am so thankful!! God continues to open up doors and prepare a way for me to participate in the Race. He’s been so good to me. Please continue to pray that I will be completely healed so that these issues will not deter me from ministering to people on the Race.
Speaking of training camp….
For a week in October, I spent 24/7 with all 45 members of my new squad … hearing some preaching, worshipping, doing team-building activities, sleeping in our tents and sleeping bags, and making s’mores. I really enjoyed meeting all of them. Half-way through the week, they took half of our packs away for 24 hours – no toiletries, no extra clothes, no tents or sleeping bags, no nothing. That night it got down into the 30s and I didn’t get a wink of sleep. Luckily I have some very generous teammates who helped make the night more bearable.
During training camp, they announced the smaller teams we will be divided into in each country. I’m glad to be on a team with 5 fabulous ladies. I’m really looking forward to serving with them!
In less than a month (on January 9th), I’ll be off to the Race, thanks to God’s goodness and mercy on my life.
By December 23, I need $7,500 in order to launch for the Race. God will give me what I need to leave for the Race and to finish it. He has done so thus far, and I have faith He won’t quit.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR FINANCIAL DONATIONS AND PRAYERS. I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!
