Azerbaijan- Georgia- Turkey- Georgia

Hello family and friends!

I pray that you are all doing well and had a fantastic summer and enjoying the starting fall! After four weeks on the field, I got back to the States about two weeks ago and want to share with you my time visiting my squad on the field!

Debrief in Baku, Azerbaijan:

My first stop was Baku, Azerbaijan (above Iran, near Turkey). This was their month 8 debrief and the best yet! I discerned that God wanted to do something really special within my squad this debrief and felt lead to focus on activating them in the giftings of the Holy Spirit. We did a lot of worship, prayer, processing, and sharing what God is revealing to each of us. It was a super cool time of fellowship, reflection, refocusing on God, and dream for the future. My days during a debrief are packed straight and I was extra busy this debrief pulling about 18 hour days. God sustained my energy and was my rock! Overall, it was a huge success and even included a trip to a nearby water park for some ‘Squad Fun’!

From My Squad-

• Check out Kristen’s blog blog about what God taught her at this past debrief in Azerbaijan.

• Also, during a processing time at debrief John David reflects on his year here.

• Shelby taught what she learned about anxiety at our debrief and shared it on her blog.

 

Parent Vision Trip in Tbilisi, Georgia:

After debrief we traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia for a program called Parent Vision Trip (PVT). This is a week for the parents of the racers to visit their child and come alongside them in ministry. I had never ran a PVT before and was unsure of what to expect. I was beyond blessed to meet the racer’s parents and to witness the beautiful sharing of their experiences to their parents. The racers were empowered to teach and activate their own parents to do ministry. The racers taught on the power of prayer, and then went out with their parents on a prayer walk. They taught on listening to God’s voice and then went out to search for people to love that God highlights. They taught on sharing your faith and then set up English conversation clubs for their parents to participate in. All while sharing the testimonies and stories of what God has already done this past year to build the faith of their parents. It was incredibleeee!

From My Squad-

• JD shares his time with his parents at PVT here.

• Mary’s mother who attended PVT wrote a blog about her experience.

• If you want to watch a video to experience some of PVT, see Heidi’s video blog!

 

Country 9 Ministry Month in Turkey:

After our time in Georgia for PVT I took the bus with the squad into their next country, Turkey. I planned to do part of my time in Turkey with the teams and part of it on my own. I was able to visit a friend’s parents who are missionaries in Turkey. They were incredible hosts to me and introduced me to many of the local believers in the area. (There are not a lot of believers in Turkey.) I was also able to assist them with some Syrian refugee work they do there. I was able to sort some clothes one day and then helped take them out to the refugee camps the next. It was hard but also really good to see and understand what is going on in Turkey and what needs are in the area in the lines of the Syrian crisis. After a few days with my friends I met back up with one of my teams in Istanbul. I joined them in their ministry working with a House of Prayer where they meet for four hours a day and intercede for Turkey. I learned a lot by watching long term missionaries dedicate most of their days covering the country in prayer in order to see change and freedom in a country they hold dear.

From My Squad-

• Andrea celebrates some divine appointment encounters in Turkey here!

• Megan shares her time at the Burn 24/7 which is an 100 hour worship event in Ephesus!

• Kristine has loved her ministry of prayer this month which she talks about here.

 

Coming Up Next:

Back at the office, I am getting caught up on planning the rest of this year’s squad and also for next year’s squad! On October 16th I have my January 2019 squad coming for a ten day training camp here in Gainesville. It has been hard to wrap my brain around taking another squad already! BUT I am excited to get to work with another group of Jesus-loving Kingdom-builders!!

Meanwhile, on Friday my squad will be heading from Turkey to SPAIN! They will be hiking the famous pilgrimage of Santiago. The Camino of Santiago is known as a spiritual pilgrimage and attracts travelers who are looking for purpose and the ‘more’ in their life. My squad will be using it as a time of reflection, a space to allow God to speak new truths into their heart, and to share their faith and life found in Christ to fellow sojourners.

 

Prayer Requests:

• For my coming Training Camp- that God will provide me with wisdom and insight in my teachings to my new squad

• For my current squad-  safety traveling to Spain, safety on the Camino and for divine appointments to share His truths.

• Personally- energy, good sleep, wisdom, guidance, and love!

 

Thank you all for your prayers and continued financial support! I am truly blessed by each of your involvement in my life!  <3