The last two weeks have been crazy. My coleader, Teagan, our squad mentor Ashley, and I took a 30+ hour bust ride from Medellin, Colombia to Quito, Ecuador. We had a very successful debrief with the squad in Baños, Ecuador. Now the whole Squad is in Quito having an all squad month, living all together in one house.
The Lord has done some insanely cool things during this time. We have had multiple people on the squad hear the voice of the Lord for the first time. Some have gotten their prayer language. People have stepped into brand new levels of vulnerability with each other and with the Lord. The squad is becoming a family. We have launched into a three month period where we will have gender specific teams. (Manistry for that long is almost unheard of, especially this early in the race.) Many on the squad have even reached a point where they are sharing the gospel, not just during ministry times, but on off days, on busses, in coffee shops, and in stores. For only being a month and a half into their race, I’m super amazed at their boldness, grit, unity, and wisdom. The Lord promised me big things from this squad and he is already delivering on that promise.
On a personal level the past two weeks have been kinda hard for me. A lot has happened that has forced me to have to have to choose to say “yes” every morning. The enemy has hit me with some distractions that have made it difficult at times to keep it together and lead from a place that is outwardly focused. During this time; I have seriously pulled a muscle in my calf while on a run, there was a major hurricane tearing through my hometown, and I was robbed on a bus. All of these events have weighed on me in negative ways.
I found myself wanting to slip into a victim mentality. These hard things were stacking up and there was a part of my that just wanted to shut down and feel sorry for myself. That’s not what I came here to do though. Yes, I do need to recognize that these things suck and process through them, but I can’t let that be my entire focus. The Lord has too much for me and my squad during this time.
I know that it is the hard stuff that facilitates Christ being formed in me. Pain teaches me about who I’m created to be. Brokenness comes so that the Lord can build me back stronger.
The word “warrior” is prophesied over me a lot. People who I have never even met come up to me and tell me that the Lord has created me to be his warrior. It is impossible to become a warrior without going into battle. Battle comes with scars. That is just a fact of life. My friend Andrew Shearman told me once that love always bleeds. The enemy throws things at me to distract me from my true purpose and my true identity. He wants me to give up in these hard times. He wants me to stop fighting and stop loving God’s people. Little does he know that it is his schemes that the Lord is turning for my good and for the good of the kingdom.
I have come out on the other side now. Joy has replaced pain, worry, and frustration. The injury to my calf, which should have taken 6 weeks to heal, is almost completely healed and I’m back running again. It’s only been two weeks since I injured it. My family and friends in Jacksonville were miraculously saved from major damages to themselves or their property during Hurricane Irma. None of what was stolen from me was essential to my journey and I have even been able to replace some of what was lost. I have chosen to stand and fight. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. That’s a promise strait from scripture. I have given my “yes” and I will stand by it. I am the Lord’s warrior and I will not let a few sucker punches keep me from building him an army of free, healed, and greatly loved warriors who will reveal his kingdom to this hurting world at all cost.
I know that there are some people reading this who are going through things that are way more serious than an injured leg, a little worry, and some stolen stuff. Although these problems I have faced in the last few weeks pale in comparison to the things a lot of you face daily, my hope is that by reading this you may be inspired to stand up and fight through the things that are being thrown at you. My hope is that in your spirit there will be a loud “NO” to any attacks of the enemy and “YES” to the things the Lord has for you.
As a squad leader I must raise $6,500 to cover expenses on the field and two debriefs later in the year after I have returned home. I would be honored if you would pray about supporting me financially. There is a link to my support account at the top of this page. There are options for one time donations or monthly recurring donations. All donations to this account are tax deductible in the United States. As always I would appreciate your prayers for myself and for Y Squad as we take this journey this year. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Love Y’all!!!
