Sri Lanka + India + Nepal

Greetings family and friends! Wow! So much has happened since I last wrote! Here is a brief summary and highlights!

March- Sri Lanka:

Mid March I went to my squad’s first debrief in Sri Lanka! Debrief is a time to come together as a squad to reflect on the past few months, refine each other and growing more in Christ, and refocus on our kingdom mission. Debrief was a great time of refreshment and discovery of more of what God has for us this year.  I taught a few sessions on topics including: spiritual giftings, abiding with the Father, confession and inner healing. We also had a long term missionary couple speak about Sri Lankan culture and hindrances to sharing the gospel in that area.

For the squad’s time in Sri Lanka the teams split up into 5 different cities with the focus of community and investment. We desired to see them stay in one place all month and build good relationship with the community present. We saw God provide a lot of great connections and movement of intercession for the country of Sri Lanka.

Highlight: Got to do a woman’s retreat with all the ladies on my squad after debrief. It was a great time of sharing stories and allowing healing and truth into past wounds and lies in our lives.

Racer John David shares his experience of seeing a deaf man healed in Sri Lanka! http://johndavidgoins.theworldrace.org/post/jesus-the-healer

(A time of reflection during debrief.)

April- Gainesville:

Personally, I have grown a lot in this season of living in Gainesville, GA. There has been a lot of challenges transitioning into life in the USA. That might sound strange, but the last three years has been traveling in and out of the US without attempting to put roots in one given area knowing that I was leaving again. My transition into Gainesville has been interesting because I desire to have roots and invest in the community around me in Gainesville while also still traveling and discipling people around the world. April was a great month for good connections and sweet time with new friends in my new hometown!

Highlight: North Georgia is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. I have been able to hike around and explore many areas which is something that gives me a lot of life and connection with the Father! <3

In April, my squad was in India. They worked with our Adventures in Missions long term base in Hyderabad and Ongole visiting different villages for prayer and sharing Jesus. Then they split up to different cities that are spiritual strongholds for India. These cities are popular spiritual sojourner’s destinations. Many people they talked and shared with were very open to spirituality and we saw people come to not only say yes to Christ but also experience his presence for the first time.

Check out Patrick’s blog from his time in India sharing Jesus in a coffee shop. http://patrickryan.theworldrace.org/post/the-joy-of-the-lord-in-a-coffee-shop

May- India & Nepal:

Early May I flew to New Delhi, India to debrief my alumni team leaders. For the first 4 months I had alumni world racers leading each team of new participants. After 4 months they transition off of the field and we train up new team leaders from within the squad. My purpose and intent for debrief the alumni is to give them time and space to process all that has happened this year so they will be better prepared to transition off of the field and into their next season wherever and whatever that may be.  It was a really sweet time with the leaders who have dedicated their time to disciple the body of Christ and share their wisdom and knowledge in doing life abroad and sharing the good news and love of Jesus.

During our debrief time we got to pray for our hotel receptionist, explain grace that comes only from Christ, and give him a Bible in Hindi! And sharing and praying for an Israeli who is a frequent traveler to India and in search of something more in life. Afterwards when asked how we can pray for him, his response was, ‘that I may find God’. Little does he know how much God is already there. God moves wherever you are and it is so good!

Highlight: I went to the Taj Mahal with three of the team leaders for some adventure after our debrief days! Yes, it was beautiful but yes, it is smaller than you think! 😀

Currently I am sitting in my hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since we are changing leadership, the first week of Nepal was dedicated to training new team leaders and new squad leaders. So far everything is going well! The team is applying for the Chinese visas here in Kathmandu. In the time waiting for our visas we have been able to connect with IRIS ministries and assist with a feeding program here in Kathmandu as well as do night ministry seeking to pray against the drug and prostitution industry that is prevalent here.

For me the rest of the month will be joining teams within their different outreach, another week of training for the new squad leaders, then a debrief for the whole squad early May.

(Team with Teams in the Word of God.)

 

Prayer Requests:

• EVERYONE will get accepted for their Chinese visas.

• Strongholds of lust, confusion, apathy, anger and pain will lessen here in Nepal.

• Energy and strength for me as I am doing 6 weeks on the field with my squad.

• Discernment and wisdom for the squad when sharing the love of God. (Nepal is a closed country meaning conversion and evangelism is illegal.)

• Safety and protection. The area we currently are staying has a lot of night life with drinking, drugs, and prostitution. The need to be on guard and aware of surroundings is important.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers!

<3

Steph