Hey family,
The past four months have been incredible with my J squad! The role of a Squad Leader has stretched me, filled me, and created a deeper love in my heart for the Lord that I serve. It has been a beautiful season.
Month 1 – I’ve learned what the fullness of God’s mercy looks like on this journey. Sometimes we can hold unforgiveness against ourselves, even long after asking God for forgiveness and receiving it fully from Him. That is bondage, and NOT God’s design for His children. My God truly delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18) and that is a beautiful lesson he displayed during month one.
I believe God used me during this month to be a comforter, even though it may have been unspoken, I’ve been told that I anchor or settle people who feel nervous, uneasy, or fearful, and so being able to send comfort to a new squad that was learning the ropes was part of fulfilling my purpose during month 1.
Month 2 – I learned more of how to pursue people. This is and will be a journey for me if I’m being honest. I learned long ago to let people pursue me that wanted to know me, but the road goes both ways, and God’s expectation of me is to learn how to pursue and love others like He does, and displays an unrelentless pursuit, and guides me to more. I am still learning, but J squad really makes this task easier because they are so awesome and I want to know them all deeply.
I was used to remind others to simply ‘abide’ this month. Sometimes we make it more complicated then it needs to be. If I abide in Jesus, He guides me in to all paths He has for me. I don’t have to figure it out, I don’t have to labor and worry, when I abide, ALL THINGS ARE ACCOMPLISHED HERE…in the vine. This month God pressed me personally for more intimacy and in that used me to press others towards the same.
Month 3 – I learned how to be more intentional, and the simplicity of giving your faith to others. I pressed into having 2.5 or 10% of my day in quiet time with Jesus, and from that I was pressed into more intimate times of speaking life, encouragement and feedback into the teams I was around. I also walked the squatter camps/slums and prayed for people and encountered people that wanted to know this God that I follow! It was amazing to watch people respond in simple faith that they wanted Jesus as Lord and King of their lives.
I was used to bring celebration, fun, and togetherness to the squad because I was able to see most of the teams this month. We came together in fun and love, and I think I was able to encourage laughter amongst the people I was around, which is just plain ole good for the soul.
Month 4 – I learned how the enemy tries so hard to distract God’s children, but how with encouragement and genuine love it can turn things around. I learned that sometimes we get knocked down, but like Paul in Acts, God strengthens us to get back up and run back in to even the hardest of circumstances to fulfill our purpose. The people of God possess strength, and even when things are hard, we can choose to keep fighting to see the fullness of God displayed in and through us!
I was used to speak truth in perfect love in difficult situations, and was able to seehow God uses that to strengthen His people. I was used as an example that what people think of your doesn’t define you, but solely what God says that does.
And Month 5? Well, it lies before me. I’m excited to enter this month of transition where we raise up people to take our spots from within the squad. But I am also grieved to leave these people because I still have so much to learn about and from them, so much love and life I want to lather upon them, but God’s timing is perfect, and as I enter into month 5 of SQL, I look ahead with hope that God has more for me to come. I have the honor of returning to the field month 8 and 11 for debrief times with the squad, but I also hope for other opportunities to continue journeying with the Lord internationally…
I would love it if you would pray with me for a number of things:
1. That all my funding would come in for THIS journey…I still have $2315 that needs to be raised. I have been given grace, but I need at least another $700 in my account this week, and then the remaining amount asap. I could use your help bringing that in…would you consider giving any amount today? Please click the “Donate here…” link in the left hand panel to support. Also, would you also share my blog with your friends and ask them to show support? Your help getting funded literally means the world to me!
2. I long to take another season of leading January – May, but currently there isn’t an opportunity. Please pray that if God wills for me to take another season in this role, that nothing would hold back that opportunity. And if there is something else that He is leading me to, that I wouldn’t waver, but walk fully into it with no hesitation but with expectation.
3. Pray for supporters that would be passionate about standing with me on a monthly capacity as I pursue a life lived missionally internationally .
God is continually teaching us if we are willing to listen. He is continually wanting to use us if we are willing to say ‘yes’.
Ask yourself what am I learning right now? What purpose is God giving me where I am?
Please send me your prayer request, and know that I keep you in thought and prayer as well.
Love & peace,
Tera
