I’m eager to be sent overseas, but have come to greatly appreciate the sculpting occurring within me and my squad here at training camp. It’s an essential step to not only bind us together, but also center each one of our lives back to the one who brought us here in the first place. Through laughter and tears, we have begun to chip away at the identities created for us by the lies of society and instead, have found an identity far more true and rooted in Christ. The more we lean into these identities, the more we understand the kind of being that God really is and the kind of work that he is inviting us into.
My personal journey of this has included affirmations of strengths from my teammates, the theme of being rooted in Christ, and confirmations from God that I’m meant to be here. It’s thrilling to feel this connected with God, especially when you get to mobilize that with a group of like-minded people.
I’ve always anticipated meeting my squad. Whatever nerves that surfaced were quickly muted by the fact that I get live life with these God-fearing people for 11 months in countries I honestly couldn’t locate on a map before this opportunity. My squad bonded quickly. A great contributor to that being the small size of our group. A typical World Race squad can have up to 50 members…we have 9. Initially, I was quite bummed by the size of this group. It was hard to watch name after name drop off of our squad. But now, I have come to cherish each member so dearly and am so grateful for the intimacy the size of our group allows for. There is so much more to learn about each other but so much time to do just that. I am so excited to see where this year takes us, but for now, we have one more week of training and then off to the Dominican Republic we go!
Thanks for the update! I get what you mean about the intimacy of a smaller group. I’m sure you will be friends/family for life!
Sierra, I’m so excited to enter into this adventure with you via prayer. I’m a friend of your grandparents and I know their great love for you. And I can see why.
In reading this blog and seeing how the size of your group dropped down to 9, I was immediately reminded of Gideon, who started with 32,000 men to fight, God reduced the amount to only 300, so the Israelites would know that their victory was not because of men, but because of God. I have a feeling that God is going to do a mighty work through you and your group. I pray that you feel His presence (and His pleasure) in remarkable ways as you serve Him by serving others. I pray for strength, for courage, for camaraderie, and for God’s continued grace and mercy to be with you and your group throughout this mission. A mission that He has clearly hand-picked for you. God bless you, Sierra, and thank you for your worlds via this blog They have encouraged me to walk with Him more closely and with more of an open hand and heart. 💖 Jane
Oops, I see a typo in my comment. I said, ….”thank you for your worlds via this blog..”. It should have said, …”thank you for your words via this blog.” But perhaps “worlds” isn’t that far off. Worlds of trust, worlds of hope, worlds of knowing God is with us and in us. Opening all kinds of worlds of wonder. So thank you for that too. 😊🙏💖
I love to hear how things are going! Hooray for blogs! Thank you Jesus for your confirmation of this calling again and again. I love you and miss you!!
Thanks for the update Sierra. Excited to hear God answering prayers already. He is faithful!!
I sense the Spirit’s leading to pray that the mystery and wonder of Christ in you (the true identity you spoke of) will be unwrapped in you this year. You being more firmly rooted and established in the love of Christ through loving people with him is what I’m praying for with confidence that Abba wants the same. My heart is soaring with hope for you, Sierra.
I love that the Lord gave you the image of “rooted.” And I’m praying that you experience the reality of your own personal Psalm 1:2-3 as He grows you and sustains you and you flourish in His care. Know that you are prayed for and so loved!
Oh Sierra, we are so proud of you for stepping out in faith to be obedient to God’s call to go….like Abraham who journing into the unknown. May you see God work in miraculous ways. May He be your source of strength and wisdom each day as you draw near to Him. Oh that you will see people through the eyes of Jesus with Love, Justice, and Eternal Hope….”I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the Earth. For in these things I delight declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24
Love you lots! Grandma and Granpa.