“Never be afraid to go where God is calling you to go,
and never be afraid to stay where God is calling you to stay.” – Raquel Stewart
Raquel, my squadmate, is a bubbly, passionate, incredible lady who is ready to learn at any and every moment. She is a woman you should get to know better, and what better way to know her better than by an interview on this blog!
Today I interviewed Raquel, asking her to tell me 3 things about certain aspects of her World Race journey so far…
KIM: Raquel, tell me 3 things you’ve seen with your own eyes while on the Race.
RAQUEL:
- During my first month, my team and I spent time with widows. It was great because we would go visit them, and even just as we were walking to their doorstep, they would light up. It was a huge blessing to walk into their house and they shared so much with us. They were lonely in the eyes of the world, but they all knew they had God by their side.
- I’ve seen joy. For the past 3 months I’ve seen hardships and different living conditions, but I’ve seen joy and hope in the people despite those things; more joy and hope than people who are living “comfortable life styles” and that is inspiring to me. They don’t have water to bathe in, but they’re happy kicking a soccer ball; they have an ill family member, and yet they’re still inviting us into their homes; there is a kid who’s being abused, and still runs up to greet us.
- I’ve seen people change, in small ways and deep ways. Since Training Camp, I’ve seen squad members grow. I’ve also seen people change in the places we’ve been in, (i.e. I’ve seen frowning, grump people suddenly smile after seeing my team and I smile at them). I want to continue to see these types of changes. It’s happening to me a lot, I love putting smiles on people’s faces, just by doing something as simple as smiling.
KIM: Raquel, tell me at least 3 specific examples of what God has taught you since Launch. (January 6 – 9, 2014)
RAQUEL:
- To trust Him! In my head, it makes sense that God’s going to provide everything I need, from a bed to the rest of the financial support I need to stay on the Race, and I know that God’s going to provide. This is the year that God is going to tell me where He wants me next year. God knows what He has planned for the rest of my life, and that I don’t need to worry about it, so I’m trusting God’s eternal plan.
- Listening to God! It is crazy how God has spoken to me in the past 3 ½ months. It’s been quite a journey learning how to listen to Him, because I didn’t really know how to do that, and I’ve learned that He has so much to say to me.
- Feedback! Receiving and giving both affirming and growing feedback, learning how to call people into greatness, and learning that when people give me growing feedback they are doing it out of love.
KIM: Raquel, tell me 3 things that you want to continue to say to people that you meet while you’re on the World Race.
RAQUEL:
- “Have hope in the Lord.”
- “Keep fighting even when it seems like things are rough.”
- “You are very, very, very, very, very LOVED.
KIM: Raquel, tell me 3 things you’d respond to someone who asks, “Why should I support you?”
RAQUEL:
- The money you would give is not for me, it’s for the work that God wants to do through me. I know for sure this is where God wants me to be, because He’s confirmed it.
- I may not know what the rest of the Race looks like, but I know that He wants me on the Race for the rest of the year and your support would directly help me stay.
- This is a year to meet brothers and sisters in Christ in different nations, to love on them, and let myself be loved by them, as well as share my joy that He gives me and learn from their joy.
KIM: Raquel, tell me 3 things you’re losing on the Race.
RAQUEL:
- My comfort zone.
- My independence.
- My stubbornness.
KIM: Raquel, tell me 3 things you’re gaining on the Race.
RAQUEL:
- I’m learning how to step out in faith and the abundance of joy & happiness that only comes from obeying and relying on God.
- I’m learning that stepping out of my comfort zone is really not that scary.
- I’m learning how to love bugs and critters in the same way that I love people and animals.
- (BONUS) I’m gaining community and relationships that I’ll have with people for the rest of my life.
“Never be afraid to go where God is calling you to go,
and never be afraid to stay where God is calling you to stay.”
Raquel is a firecracker, simply on fire for God. She knows that the Lord is going to move in CRAZY ways over the next 2 months, as He supplies her with every penny that she needs to stay on the World Race. She needs to raise about $5,000 by July 1, 2014. Will you help her stay on the Race by supporting her? To support her, click here:
Thank you for your time! Raquel loves you, and I do too!
