Before coming out to Nicaragua, I was in a pretty dry
place spiritually. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but also one of
the most challenging. I was mostly alone, uncertain and basically lost. It was like the World Race wrecked me in a beautiful way, but I afterward I had never been more uncertain about myself. This
opportunity in Nicaragua
was a saving grace. It brought me out of uncertainty and great doubt and lifted
me to confidence and direction.
Over the course of the last few months God has placed two
things heavily on my heart – discipleship and teaching. I would like to focus
on both all my life. I don’t know how it’ll all work out, but I feel God
strongly pushing me to further his kingdom through the commitment to them.
Which isn’t so bad because, as it turns out, I love discipleship and I love
teaching! I’ve been doing both regularly and have found confidence and joy in
both.
Now it’s just a matter of finding my next step. I know God
wants me to focus on these two things, but I don’t know how it should look or
where to go. A few opportunities have presented themselves, and I’m trying to
follow God through them. It can be hard with all the emotions mixed in, but the
greatest blessing God has given me yet is wonderful direction from spiritual
authorities that love and care for me, who regularly invest into me and desire
me to achieve greatness. Who knows what the heck this greatness will look like,
but I’m a firm believer that God, the creator of heaven and earth, created all
things with greatness in mind. It’s just a matter of us realizing it.
It has been a tremendous blessing for me to pour into these
four young men in Granada.
I’ve grown a lot in the process and am will continue the investment. I’m a
loyal guy who sticks by people I care about, especially those who I think will
go places. So these guys have got me for another while at least.
I’ve also made a very close friend out here. Ironically, he
was kind of my first friend. His dad and my dad went to Darden business school
together, so Baker and I knew each other in the crib. Our families continued to
get together over the years. Baker and I went to a sailing camp when we were
around twelve. That was the last time we saw each other. As God works in our
lives and continues to allow our paths to cross, I look forward to whatever is
next. God’s done an awesome work in his life.
And yet another great honor is being discipled I was here. I
went out to Colorado
originally to be discipled by Gary Black, one of my spiritual fathers. I was,
and still am, very hungry for discipleship by strong men of God who have seen
rough times and have real wisdom that comes from years of faithfulness. Gary is this father to me.
Leaving that behind I knew I needed continued discipleship
to lead me into my calling and anointing further. The past year and a half I
was broken. It felt like I was chewed up and spit out. I needed that spiritual father to help piece
me together. For the past 3 ½ months Charles Kaye has done exactly that. He is
incredibly smart, wise and fun. He seeks the heart of God, is patient with me
in my growth and pushes me continually. He’s been faithful, he’s spoken truth and told
me the difficult things that needed to be said. I couldn’t have asked for more.
In one week I’ll go back. I’m hoping that many of the
discipleship relationships I’ve had with the young men here will continue as
they pursue the Lord.
