I wrote this in am email a few days ago, but feel like it communicates my heart pretty well and wanted to share it on this platform as well…..
Later this afternoon, I will have officially been in Paris for a week. In some ways it feel like so much longer. It’s already been an incredible experience though!
I’ve seen the sights, or at least some of them – the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame – and I’m sure I’ll get around to more.
These things are not the highlight of the week though.
Yesterday, I got to talk with one of the guys on my squad about his past and the tragedy he’s walked through, the struggles in his family and the hope that we have in the Lord through it all.
After that I got to talk with one of the women on my squad about how she’s learning to hear and discern the Lord’s voice. I got to encourage her to continue in that and give her some wisdom on how to speak into some of the struggles she feels on her team. I got to pray with her and let her know that she’s moving in the right direction.
Then I got to talk to another one of the guys who is trying to figure out his identity as a human and as a child of God. He’s walked through a lot of things and in the process lost who He really is. Now he’s realizing that’s worth fighting for and figuring out.
I’ve had the opportunity to discuss with multiple people about spiritual warfare – the reality of it and the ability and authority we have to combat it. We’ve talked about spiritual gifts and the messiness of figuring out what that can look like for an individual.
I’ve gotten to sit with refugees who’ve travelled by boat and foot for hundreds of miles to escape conditions that are outside of anything I have ever experienced.
There are so many more things. These are the highlights. These are things I love about what I get to do. These are the opportunities and experiences that I thank Jesus for letting me be a part of. And it’s only week one!?!?
My squad is amazing. It hasn’t taken my long to fall in love with them and feel fully invested. I am pumped for the things they will walk through this year and the incredible growth they’ll experience that will change the course of the rest of their lives. This is what it’s all about. The towers and monuments are cool, but I’ll choose the people first every time.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
I am currently at $1,969 of the $17,000 and looking for more donors. I would love your partnership, financially and in prayer for this.
You can also pray for wisdom and humility in my leadership as well as well-paced growth, patience and humility for my squad.
