My time in Colombia was absolute FIRE!
God really showed me the importance of a few things and here they are in no particular order:
The importance of intercession.
Every Wednesday night we would send 15-20 people out to this very dark area in the city with a ministry called Agua Panela. Hundreds of homeless addicts filled the street. People would line up and we would serve them sweet water and bread and offer prayer. Others would venture up and down the street to talk with people. Some were selling drugs by candle light; some were sniffing glue; some were smoking crack; some were possessed; some were even teenagers. The craziest thing I have ever seen or experienced. It broke my heart, but at the same time I was filled with such compassion and love to see these people, who are just people, through the eyes of Jesus. But this is about intercession right? So on these nights when half the squad would hit the streets, the other half would stay back and intercede on our rooftop terrace. We would worship, pray, and cry out to the Lord for the city of Medellin. The very first Wednesday, I was a part of the intercession group. Not long into our time, it started to rain. I just sat there and continued to pray. A little while later, I stood up and happened to be standing in a puddle bear-foot. I was reminded of how the Lord healed my feet on my race [incredible pain from plantar fasciitis] and was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for healing. I began to pray healing over the feet of someone on the streets who our group was ministering to. I didn’t know who or what or any details, but just believed and partnered in faith with the Spirit. Upon returning from the streets, Brittany, my co-leader, shared that while out, she prayed over a man who was limping and afterwards he was completely healed!!! His legs and his feet. How amazing right?! The Holy Spirit is constantly working in and through us, if we are willing and obedient to his invitations!
The importance of conversations.
Y’all I love girl talk, especially pillow talk ha! Me and my gal pal co-leaders, Britt and Mads would stay up just sharing revelations from the Lord and intricate stories from our lives, exploring the depths of our hearts, getting stirred up for revival, and so much more. Those conversations filled my heart tremendously and grew my awe of the gracious God we serve!
The importance of sleep.
See above. Ha, but really a lot of times we would have to “table” our late night convos in favor of getting some decent sleep. In a perfect world, I would get 9 hours of sleep each night, but I can survive with 6 or so!
The importance of coffee.
Lots and lots of it. I thrive on instant coffee, personally. LOL
The importance of worship.
Whoa. I am constantly blown away by the anointing in worship that S-Squad carries. Like whoa, knock you down whoa! We had several squad worship times and every Friday night, we got to host a live music event in the bakery downstairs at our ministry site. We jammed and praised the Lord for sure. Talk about such talent, coupled with such a heart that desires to bring glory to God.
The first night of our debrief, Lauren led acapella worship for the squad. It was probably the most beautiful thing ever. I’m getting chills just remembering it. At several points it was just voices lifting up our own song to the Most High. All different lyrics and melodies, but the same Spirit inhabiting our praises and bringing such unity among such diversity. But throughout the month, with or without music, I connected with the Lord in such intimate ways during worship.
The importance of vulnerability.
With vulnerability comes incredible freedom. Personal freedom that then opens the door for others to experience that same freedom. This month I got to share my testimony, the story of my life, with the entire squad. The good, bad and ugly. I think every time I share it, the Lord not only reveals more things to me about my own self, but also more about Him. This time as I shared my trials and my victories with the squad, several people came up to me afterwards and told me how they connected part of my story with their own. All I hope from sharing, is that God’s goodness and faithfulness is put on display and that men and women have hope that He is working in the midst of their chaos and that true freedom comes from obediently following Jesus. A surrendered life is never boring… trust me!
The importance of the good news.
To me, the gospel in its most based form is about reconciliation of the relationship between God and man. As I’ve had many opportunities over the past year and half to share the gospel with people literally from all over the world, the good news gets clearer and sweeter to me each time. Talking out loud about the mysteries that I believe in my mind and heart is really a good exercise for me and expands the Kingdom, too of course! One of the Friday nights we hosted live music, I got to talk to a man Charles, who just happened to be walking home that night past the bakery. I talked for at least half an hour while he intently listened. I had several moments where I was like, “Whoa! He is actually listening and cares about what I’m sharing, so I’m going to keep talking!” I got to talk to him about how God desires relationship and communion with us, so much so, that He created the world as a perfect place where man could dwell with God in the garden. And then when man sinned, that perfect relationship was broken. He cared so much about restoring that relationship, that He crafted an executed a perfect plan to send His son to dwell among us, to live a blameless life, showing us and leading the way to true abundant life. After His death, He returned to heaven and sent is Holy Spirit to dwell within us until the day where we are reunited and dwell with God again. Such a beautiful picture of pursuit and love. And that is such good news!
