I just finished my first debrief on the field, which is a time when the whole squad comes together to rest and share stories of what God has been doing in our lives. Having finished Month 2, I gathered in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to meet with the squad and coaches. Our days were free and each night we came together as a squad to worship, speak truth over one another, and be poured into. I arrived at debrief physically empty after a full month of ministry but little did I know the Lord had BIG plans for me during this time. The first night of squad time consisted of a discussion of overflow, which means intimacy with the Lord and then pouring this love out.
The sign on the van waiting to pick us up at the bus station read "Zac's Team"
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may FULFILL every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
The second night of squad time was a time for our coaches to pour into us, and this was on the topic of the Holy Spirit. I had been praying for intimacy with the Holy Spirit for a week and a half and this night I got it! When we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, and we are free in Him. This night I prayed for intimacy with the Holy Spirit, to completely surrender to His way in my life. I can honestly say this prayer is coming true more and more everyday as I seek Him and ask the Spirit to be evident in my life. Our third night together was on different ways we hear from God: thoughts, His voice, emotions/senses, cartoon captive, vision/picture/dream, Just do it!, and His word. We spent this time getting words for squad mates and speaking it over them.
Spent the day with the lovely Chuck and Selena Day at Angkor Wat.
“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” 1 Corinthians 14:3
Our last night of debrief was squad fun night, a time for each time to entertain. Team Holla-lujah put on a fashion show to demonstrate "Modest is Hottest!" Each of us wore different outfits to demonstrate appropriate dress for ministry and our personalities. This concluded our time of debrief but then we had 3 free days to do as we pleased in the city. During this time I spent long hours at local pools, one-on-ones with squad mates and leadership, naps, eating lots of delicious foods, and spending sweet time with Jesus.
The sunrise over Angkor Wat, 1 of the 7 wonders of the world.
During debrief the Lord revealed a lot to about who He has made me to be. A few words to sum this up would be openness, awareness, and walking in freedom. Openness for all the Holy Spirit is doing me and around me. Awareness is seeing what all the Spirit has in store for me in my life and walking in them. Freedom is using my boldness to better the Kingdom, not to tear others down. I was given opportunities to share Jesus with many individuals on the street and how much He loves me. A specific example of this was a man on the street allowing me to pray for him and lay hands on him. Not only did he let me lay hands on him, but he allowed me to place hands on his head, and a lot of Cambodians we've encountered don’t like it when you touch their heads. In these times, I was obedient and saw Him using me to share His name in the city of Siem Reap. Each day God is rocking my world and showing me His greatness all around me. Taking each day as it comes and being open to what He has planned for me each day has been so new and eye opening.
The Lord taught me what it means to extend grace to those around me when times get tough. Through brokenness He offers us intimacy with one another and an example what it means to love as Christ does. It has become evident to me there are different kinds of intimacy. My idea of intimacy is hearing each other’s stories but the Lord showed me the reality of relearning what intimacy really means. Holding hands, sharing tears, and our hearts with one another is a prime example how I was shown a new way of intimacy.
“Your kingdom come, your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
As we drove from Cambodia to Vietnam, the Lord put on my heart that this is a new month and a fresh beginning. Let it begin!
If you are wondering about the whale flubber, this blog has nothing to do with it but it got your attention… hope you ENJOYED!
