Month 3 I shared the story with my team about how Debbie was a nickname growing up. Quickly it stuck as a team and squad nickname. Throughout month 4 I was called Deb, Debbie, or Deborah. A teammate decided to create a breakdown of what to call me when exactly. Deb was normal. Debbie was tired or hunfuriated. Debbie was just a monster. As we headed into month 5 I told an alumni squad leader then Father renamed me. Little did I know the Father was going to use the nickname in a big way.
Parent Vision Trip (PVT) is an opportunity where parents get to spend a week on the mission field with their racer. My mom was able to fly out and see what the last 5 months looked like and explore Indian culture with me. During squad worship on night I shared my testimony with the other racers and their parents. I introduced myself as Sarah but informed them I also answer to Deb. Then I went on to share how I was given a key to give away with the word BE. After session a mom come over to talk with my mom and I. She asked if we knew what Deborah meant in Hebrew. Both of us were left speechless after finding out Deborah in Hebrew means BE. For YEARS and MONTHS people had been speaking prophetic words over me and had no clue.
The Race has taught me a lot about who God calls me to BE. Recently the Father has set me free from the lies I’m not enough, only second best, and set aside. My previous season was heavily defined by labels, associations, and attachments. God is walking me into a season of believing who He calls me to BE and being set apart.
Coming on the Race I knew my birthday would be in Romania. One of my wishes was to work with the Gypsy population. This community is often overlooked and tied down by negative labels. I have a heart that empathizes for them. All of God’s children deserve His love, to be set apart, and to be seen. I have ADORED getting to let Christ use me as His hands and feet in this community.
I never saw myself capable of being called into ministry. Within the past week the Father has called me into 2 more years of ministry as life. The Gypsy community fills me in a way I never expected to be filled. Reflecting on the past few days with these people God asked me to pray fiercely. He revealed to me 2 words- Distressed Families. A call to BE part of a local ministry team has been placed on my heart. (More to come later) The Father has redeemed the way I see myself, revealed my purpose in the Kingdom, and where He is leading me to BE.
