Sara Choe wrote this for our
general World Race Updates page... and it is an excellent briefing of
the last two weeks in Ireland, so I thought I would share...
This time of year, Ireland is about five hours ahead and twenty degrees
(Fahrenheit) cooler than the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Just
outside of Dublin, in the town of Clondalkin, over three hundred
members of the World Race family met for four days (August 30 -
September 2, 2010) at the Green Isle Hotel and Camac Valley Campground
to worship, rest, pray, learn and have fun.
This was the World Race's second annual Awakening, and this gathering lived up to its name.
We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in each of us who believe and
follow Christ. When such people are gathered, the presence of God is
amplified, which is what happened. His presence electrified the
environs, permeating through everything that went on.
Jonathan David Helser and his band led worship biblically - in Spirit
and in truth - and in the manner of David, who danced with all his
might before the
Lord. Just as a piece of music is dynamic - ranging from pianissimo
(very soft) to fortissimo (very loud) and everything in between - so
were the times of worship.
There was a good amount of standing on chairs, declaring loudly the
promises of God, and jumping and shouting, approaching the throne of
grace with boldness and confidence. There were also moments of quiet,
waiting and listening for the Lord, kneeling face down to the ground in
humility. In the midst of praise there was also petition and
intercessory prayer broke out - even over the internet (thank God for
technology!).
Life at its best = you at your best + Jesus as His best + the church at her best
The
ways the earth groans for the sons and daughters of God to realize
their identity, mature and fill the earth with the knowledge of the
glory of God
What it means to be adopted into the family
of God and receive our inheritance, getting on with the "family
business" a.k.a. the kingdom (some of Andrew's messages are also available here)
The
old and new covenants, that the church today has been living a newer
version of the old covenant.
Seth showed some ways to turn kingdom dreams into reality.
Jimmy shared with some Racers what life after the World Race might look like and tips on how to navigate through that transition
The
Helsers shared some of their heart and story with worship leaders and
had them find their sound and open up the wells of their soul.
Allison and Caroline demystified prophesy and facilitated some practice of the prophetic.
And just as life on the World Race isn't always super-spiritual, there
was also a good amount of fun and play. Racers played kickball and
Capture the Flag which were fun, but not many participated. Instead,
most of them focused on rehearsing for the Dance-Off, the much
anticipated inter-squad dance competition of the Awakening.
Complete with some Irish river dance, an homage to traditional Ugandan
dance, a parody of a robbery set to MC Hammer, hip-hop, the compulsory
Christmas song, and the Maori Haka, the N Squad (January 2010) easily took first place. The L-Squad (October 2009) and P-Squad
(July 2010) took second and third place, respectively. Even the
alumni, who represented all past World Races, got to flash their
dancing prowess.
Wednesday night after the evening session, World Racers danced, painted, poeticized, and sang, offering their art as
worship. For a couple nights and days, photography was exhibited
(artfully orchestrated by Ashley Huizenga - from Africa!), a powerful and poignant display of the places and people God puts on the hearts of World Racers.
The Awakening was an intergenerational convergence of like-hearted men and women.
As they worshiped God with their heart, soul, mind and strength
and ministered to one another, the Kingdom within everyone was
expanded. Old and new alumni return home awake, staff and coaches are
reminded why they accepted their positions, and current World Racers
are rejuvenated, excited to continue extended the borders of His
kingdom within themselves and the world.
There is something so sweet about this season I find myself
in, when not only am I getting to be around people I would choose in a
heartbeat to share life with, but I am also getting to do exactly what I
love.More often then not, I find
myself waking up to the feeling of life's goodness.God so beautifully (and graciously) designed this season so
that I was asked to take ownership over exactly what I would jump at in an
instance.
With the ever-transitioning momentum of my life, people
often have a hard time getting caught up on exactly what I am doing up here in Michigan with the World Race.So this blog has been set aside for the
sole purpose of explaining the "what" of this season I am now in...
I landed back up in Michigan six weeks ago, settled into a
house with almost triple the roommates, and am now officially heading up the "Field Support" department for the World Race.The primary purpose of field support is to
recruit, train, and care for the leaders we send out, or who are raised up, on
the field.That means I help with
everything from recruiting squad leaders for the different squads sent out to
caring for them as they are out on the field leading a group of 40-60 racers.
It is not uncommon for my phone to ring in the middle of the
night with a call from a squad leader out on the field with an urgent question.Or for my Saturday morning to be spent tracking down someone
out in Africa or Southeast Asia.It is also just as common that my days are spent talking via skype with
squad leaders all over the world, who are loving and challenging their people
to greatness.Each week I get to
pray over them, celebrate with them over the breakthroughs of the week, and
offer some wisdom with any challenges that arise.
I just love it.
Since I just got off the field a few months ago from squad
leading, one thing I know well is what they are dealing with out there...and how
important it is for them to be developed as they serve.Right now I am in the middle of helping
to create leadership material for the squad leaders who are sent out.We are putting together some podcasts of
teachings by Michael Hindes and reading material on leadership.Part of my job is to ensure that leaders we send out aren't just pouring out
during their season in leadership, but that they are also being developed and
challenged to step up into a greater place of Kingdom influence.
At the end of most days, I crash into bed amazed at the different
countries I called people in and the stories I heard firsthand of diving
healing, deliverance, and breakthrough.There is no shortage of reminders these days that He is alive and moving
with love, power, and grace across the nations.
As I step into this new role and responsibility, I am
also praying for a stronger monthly support base.I am currently at 40% raised of my monthly support goal and
am praying for 9 new monthly supporters to sign up during the month of
March.Would you pray about
partnering with me in this ministry that God is using to mobilize young people
all over the world?Specifically I
am praying for 3 people to sign up as monthly supporters of $100/month and 6
people to sign up for $50/month.It would be such an honor to partner with you as the Lord continues to
evolve this ministry by His spirit's leading.All you have to do is click on "Support
Me!" to the left!
I cannot believe it is now the beginning of February and a
whole two months has passed since I last wrote anything on here.My last posted blog, written on the
moments right after leaving my fabulous J-squad, is still so fresh in my memory.There really is no excuse
for such a long lapse in blogging, although I must say life has never slowed
down since coming home.But it
never seems to.And so with a resolution
to get back into the swing of this blogging world, here's a glimpse at what has
happened in these last two months...
Just after spending exactly forty-eight hours in CT, eating
yummy Turkey for Thanksgiving and seeing lots of old friends and family, I
hopped back on the red-eye and headed for Barcelona, Spain to spend the next
two weeks on a massive boat cruising through the Mediterranean Sea.I know, it really is a hard life.I spent those two weeks seeing some
incredible sights, getting lots of
needed rest, and catching up with some of the most important women in my
life.
I flew back to CT in the middle of December and spent the
next couple weeks just resting with family and close friends, and catching up
on the last six months that I was away.It was peaceful, joyful, and just what my soul needed.We ate too much, laughed hard, reminisced
about lots of old memories, and enjoyed the sweet reprieve together.
Christmas Eve night with my cousins, brother, and sister-in-law (from left to right)
The day after Christmas I flew off to St. Louis to help
represent the World Race at the Urbana '09 conference, where over 20,000 people
from all over the world landed in the city's midst for 5 days.There were 4 of us there, including
Aaron, my co-leader for the J-squad, and together we manned the official World
Race booth and talked to well over 500 interested people about the program. Besides the great response and interest we got, we also were able to hear such people as Shane Claiborne and Brenda Salter McNeil preach it.The worship was sung in such languages as Spanish, Swahili, and Hindi. And there was an electrified atmosphere of hunger and passion among the participants. It was a great way to ring in the
new decade.
After spending one final week at home and turning the
whopping 2-6, I drove the familiar trek up through New York, over into Canada,
and finally crossed that border back into good ol' Port Huron, MI.It felt so peaceful driving back into
town and up to our cute gingerbread house that I now share with 12 other World Race alumni. Although it had only been a mere five months away from this place, it honestly felt like
a lifetime after everything that happened in this past season.
While this is one brief recap, it roughly brings you up to speed on where I find myself today.Lots more blogging will happen in the
coming weeks, filling you in on what exactly I'm doing in my new role with the World Race and about
more transitions to come this year.With a
new role, new roommates, and lots of new growth from these last 6 months, a new season has begun!I am anticipating the greater things to happen this year and am excited to re-engage with you in the
journey.
I remember distinctly six months ago at training camp, sitting on this wooden platform looking out at 41 faces I knew merely as names. With wide eyes and hearts that had no idea what they were getting themselves into, I shared with them about my life and my own race experience. It was a pivotal moment for our squad, that training camp night. It was the first time we bonded as a family and played 'WA!" for hours underneath the AIM tent. Something clicked that night as a group and the family began.
Here I am, six months after that first meeting, having just left those people who are family. Just hours ago I sat in a plastic chair and looked out at those same 42 pairs of eyes. This time, however, they weren't names and personality tests on paper. They are stories of victory, brokenness, redemption, and most of all...stories of people who I love. And I mean, I love.
This time as I faced them, I got to listen as they showered me with encouragement, prophecy, and their favorite memories from my time out there. Rarely have I felt so loved. As people were sharing, I kept asking God that He would allow me to bottle up that moment, so I wouldn't forget a single word, laugh, or tear.
My final day out here with them was one for the books. It was just one of those days where everything was amazing. Before my love fest, the day started with an epic football game between our guys. The girls cooked a massive feast that left trays of food untouched by the end of the night. All of us sat outside, looking out on the desert behind us, and feasted as a family on turkey, stuffing, potatoes, apple crisp, and so much more. Ridiculous squad games were played together and a dance choreography was learned. I found myself laughing at times so hard my breath couldn't even come. It was that kind of day; the perfect way to close this whole journey out.
As I write this, I'm awaiting board for my final flight back to America. I'm still in shock that my time with them is completed. But I know this is good and that God's timing is perfect. And I know that what is best for them now is to move forward and grow out here on the field with new leaders. It is that understanding which makes it so much easier to graciously step out.
In the last few hours since I left them, my mind hasn't stopped running at rapid speed with memories, faces, and laughs. To make missing of them not as tortuous, I'll sit here until I board, and look over my scrap book of 42 pages of people and pictures who have impacted my life. And really, on the night of Thanskgiving, there is no group of people I could be more thankful for...nor believe in any more... than I do this family.
The epic adventure of my life (to that point), which had taken me to 11 countries in 11 months with 27 crazies had ended. With one last night of worship and celebration, we closed up what had become life and family for the last year. And we started the trek back to what was once familiar soil to begin an even greater challenge of incorporating all we had learned outside the camp back inside the place we were being called to.
I am pretty sure that a year ago today, my mind was completely focused on that bed that would await me after 55 hours of travel, and that hot shower that I would stand under for close to an hour. I couldn't wait to hug my parents and see friends after a year away. But really, more than anything, I was so excited to bring everything I had learned from the year back into life in America. Honestly, I was ready to change the world...and quickly.
Needless to say, I learned a lot this past year. The year didn't look much like I expected, although they never really do. Living in close covenantal community with people from my race was essential for me. Through all the ups and downs, trying to figure out how to do was we had learned, it was living beside people who knew and got me that made all the difference.
I learned some big things this past year. I learned that God rarely moves quickly with things, but He always moves suddenly. And that while my generation (myself definitely included) struggles to commit for the long haul, God always blesses those who put their hand to what He asks and commits. I have learned that it is all about relationships and that at the end of the day, it is not about what I do as much as who I choose to do it with. That living under the authority of spiritual parents gives covering and authority in my own life. And that the most important place to find myself is in the midst of what God is doing instead of trying to do my own thing and asking Him to join in.
And really....I learned once again that it is all worth it. That He is worth it. And that no matter the cost or loss, I am doing this thing. I still have no interest in a nice, quiet life, but one that is relentlessly pursuing His Kingdom come to this earth. I understand more today that a year ago that this thing will cost a lot, but it all pales in comparison to His glory that awaits.
As I write this today, I find myself at the edge of the Israeli desert just days away from completing my second go-around of this World Race adventure. In just a week, I will once again board a plane bound for the states. This time, however, I won't be sitting next to all my people to charge back on American soil as a large cloud of passion. Instead, I will travel alone, leaving this squad, that I am so blessed to call my people, here in the Holy Land to continue this journey for the next seven months without me.
I am once again in that familiar place of transition. The seasons are changing. And just like a year ago, I am saying goodbye to family, heading back to the states, and eagerly wanting to move forward into more of what He is doing.
Closing out this past year, I have some big bruises and some huge victories. I am more sober to the cost and more reckless in my desire for His manifest presence upon this place. I have grown up more. Dreamed more. And hungered more. It is all a process and a journey, and I am more confident today than ever that I am exactly where I am meant to be.
We knew the time might come. I remember at both training camp and launch when the comment was made to the squad, "You will have to trust us in the popular and the unpopular decisions of the experience, trusting God's got it." When you're in that honeymoon phase of this, those words don't mean much. I'm sure the squad wondered what decisions could ever be made in that second category...
It was probably four weeks ago when that quiet voice of direction began to question Aaron and I on if things were really the best for the squad. Where was overall squad health? Were people exactly where they were meant to be? And most importantly, the question that rang the loudest was this: "Would you change teams if the answer was ever no?"
Three weeks ago we knew it would come. We had to change things up. The voice was loud and the direction clear. Aaron and my priority out here has to always be that of such love for the squad, that we would sacrifice them liking or understanding our decision. These 41 racers under our care are too important to us, and too called in His kingdom, to allow any fear on our part to keep us from the hard changes. And so it was decided; despite any potential uproar, teams would be changed.
Fast forward three weeks later when our Turkey debrief arrived. Our first night together as a family, Aaron and I announced the new squad leaders. From the beginning of the time out here, we knew part of our role would be raising up new leaders to lead the squad the remaining 8 months. And from launch, we knew pretty clearly it would be Dan Snyder and Brandy Chaffer. The anointing was all over them from the beginning. Every time we prayed about it, it was confirmed again to us that He was calling them into a greater role for the squad.
It was that same night that the announcement was made over the fact that just the next afternoon team changes would be made.
The next day was a blur on my end, but what I do remember more than anything is the movement of God among the squad. In those 20 hours of them waiting anxiously to find out who was moving where, God did something incredible among these 41 people: He made them a family. He took the six separate teams and bonded them together as a real family who, no matter what would happen, was doing this thing together.
I just sat back and watched as the entire squad changed before my eyes by the presence of God. And more than anything, I was just so honored to be among a group of people who are so willingly surrendering everything for more of Him.
While the team changes ended up being harder for some than others, there was always a collective sense that we're in this thing together....and for the long haul. It was because Aaron and I believed so strongly that we received a clear direction and peace from the Lord on these decisions that we were able to walk in peace and confidence in the midst of some struggling through the changes. We know He spoke to us and we did the best we could to listen and obey.
Walking out of that debrief three days later, the squad was completely different. They were a unified family who was passionate for what God was going to do in and through them in Israel. They were surrendered to whatever His plans might be going forward. And they were hungry, passionate, and zealous for more of His kingdom.
Looking back on that whirlwind of a debrief, I can't help but laugh at how beautifully God worked out all the details. I learned how necessary it is to make the hard decisions when you're in leadership, regardless of who is with you. There must come a time when we lay down our own desire for human affirmation and make the decisions that are best for our people. I love them best when I worry less about if they like me, and more about who they are becoming on this journey.
"How big must God move in order for us to go from a petitioning position in prayer to that of a declaring one....to move from asking to thanking that it has been done?"
Bukarija is not an ordinary women. At the age of almost forty, she's a Hungarian missionary who is now dedicating her life to the people of Montenegro. Despite not seeing rapid fruit, she's choosing the road less traveled by missionaries - a road of sacrifice, pain, patience, and pursuing the glorious redemption. She's a woman who is completely led by the Spirit and voice of God. Not one to ask questions, when He says something, she does it.
Fetija instantly took to Bukarija, as most people would. The minute Bukarija sat down, the two women started talking in Serbian while I sat peacefully beside them smiling at what God was doing. I was sure of one thing - this was so much bigger than one conversation. God was showing Himself moving in this nation through this one divinely appointed conversation. And so as they chatted, I sat and waited, knowing He was changing this woman right before our eyes.
When they were done with introductions and casual conversation, I asked Bukarija if she would ask Fetiga about faith and where her hope comes from. Fetiga said she believes in Allah and that she is careful to pray regularly and seek Him out. She said it was her duty to be faithful to what He has asked of her.
Not being one to beat around the bush, I told her about Jesus. I told her that He is the one who not only sacrificed Himself for us out of love, but who conquered death through resurrection and wants an intimate relationship with us. That He is the way, the truth, the life. And that He's pursuing her in this moment so that she might know Him intimately. She stared me straight in the eyes and listened. She started hearing it.
She began telling us that just yesterday she was praying for truth. She was asking God to reveal Himself as He is and not as people have told her. Today, she said, she wasn't meant to even come to the beach. Rarely does she come because of how far it is from her home, but she got up in the morning and decided to make the trek. And now here she was, sitting with us Americans, knowing it was not by accident.
As we continued talking, I shared with her that it was all about the relationship with Christ and not the religion. With everything shared, she was so eager to hear more. She started wanting it, believing it, and was ready to choose it. We told her to pray for herself and ask Him into her life on her own. We didn't want her to think that us Americans had any special power in this matter. And the last thing we wanted was for her prayer to become another ritual to her that secured her salvation, but never affected her heart's cry.
This time wasn't about converting Fetiga simply to make us feel like we had done our duty as believers. It was about pointing her to the face of truth and letting her begin her journey of getting to know who He is and what He promises. Bukarija pulled out a New Testament in Fetiga's language so she could start reading it for herself. When we handed it to her, she was hesitant in taking it. She told us that she has terrible eyesight and didn't know if she would be able to read the small writing. Quickly we told her that not only is God a God who saves, but He is also one who heals today. And with that, we laid our hands on her eyes and prayed healing into them right then and there. There's no reason in waiting on these things, especially when God's intention is to meet His people so personally in the moment.
When we ended our conversation two hours later, I gave her a big hug and kiss. I love her. I don't have to know her any longer than I do to know I love her. She is beautiful, radiating life and joy, and being relentlessly pursued by her Father. There is not a doubt in my mind she met her true God, and that God so perfectly arranged the whole thing to magnify His glory.
Everything fit divinely together that day. After a whole night of petitioning for God to move in this nation, He showed Himself so clearly to us. It was a moment of promise that proclaimed the truth that He is moving and bringing His people back to Him in this country. When we walk with eyes to see the unseen, all of a sudden one conversation can become a moment of loud declaration that change has come and Christ is there.
She's an elderly woman, probably in her mid-sixties. The sun has made its mark on her face, with lines encircling her brown-hazed eyes. She's a follower of Islam, careful to read her Koran and pray the regular five times a day. And she is a woman seeking truth. Just 24 hours before meeting her, she prayed out to her God for Him to show her truth. Not interested in the religious routines as much as the truth of a real God, she began asking Him the questions.
And there, He met her...
Her name is Fetija and she lives in Montenegro, a country of 700,000 with roughly 200 Christians in the entire nation. In Ulcinj, the city I came to meet her, you cannot make it through your day without hearing at least one of over ten mosques in the city do their regular calls to prayer. The noise vibrates throughout the city, invading every ounce of air so that it is all but impossible to ignore.
Fetija and I met on a Sunday morning. The sun was brilliantly shining and it was time to take church to the beach. With only five believers in the city of Ulcinj, there is no organized church meeting, so the group of nine of us racers headed for the beach with Bible and guitar in hand.
The first person I saw as we approached the beach was Fetija. She was lying on the sand beside some lounge chairs. The minute we walked towards her, she perked up and started waving with this beautifully radiant smile on her face. It was irresistible to pass by, so I went over to her and waved back. She instantly grabbed me close, gave me a huge hug, and just held my hand. We stayed like that for a few minutes, just smiling, laughing, and holding hands. I would say things to her like, "Jesus loves you" and "you are a beautiful woman of God." I knew she didn't understand, but I also knew she needed those words spoken over her despite language differences.
After a few minutes, I left her and went back to the group to begin worship. Just the night before we had done an all-night prayer time for the country of Montenegro. While physically we were definitely tired, spiritually we were refreshed and energized, knowing God was moving in this country. In between prayer or songs, I would look over and there Fetija was, grinning ear-to-ear, and waving. You couldn't ignore the joy of this woman; something irresistible was on her.
After we finished singing, I taught for a short while on what it means to walk in both thanksgiving for what He has given us, and declaration for what He is doing. One of the questions I asked the group during that time was how big God had to move in order for us to move from a petitioning prayer position to a declaring position on something we were praying into? Specifically, how big does God have to show His movement in the nation of Montenegro to take us from asking Him to change the country, to declaring that the country is transforming in this moment?
We finished worship and began eating lunch. The next moments were a blur, but I remember sitting on a lounge chair with my lunch in hand and feeling quickly compelled to go bring the rest to Fetija. So over I went, handing her half my lunch, and sitting down with her. We just smiled, laughed, and kept on holding hands.
There were 3 of us girls who sat with her on the beach. Despite knowing she couldn't understand what I was saying, I just began talking to her. I asked her about Jesus - if she knew Him, if she prayed to Him, if she knew how much He loved her. She just smiled and held my hand.
I was about ready to get up and give her a hug goodbye when I saw a figure walking over towards us. Instantly, I recognized the woman as Bukurija, a missionary who we were staying with in Montenegro. She bee-lined it for the group of Fetija and us girls. I remember being so relieved to see her, knowing she would be able to help translate for us.
The minute she got over there, she sat down next to me. "Caroline, I got here as quickly as I could. I was getting dressed and about to fix lunch when I heard the Holy Spirit tell me I needed to come right to the beach to help you guys share the gospel. So here I am."
to be continued...
Here's a video my sister, Kim, just finished. It's a message from those of us who have gone before in this whole World Race adventure....and who are still standing by its influence and the transformation in our own lives. Just like it says in the video, the World Race isn't the answer, but the journey is. And the race is a vehicle to get you on the pilgrimage of initiation, purpose, and destiny. Ultimately, we all want to live a life that goes beyond just ourselves and into a realm of kingdom impact, don't we?
What: A Prophetic Worship Conference. Where: Brasov, Romania. When: September 22-25. Who: 250 World Racers, Alumni, Staff, and Coaches.
Why: To activate, encourage, celebrate, worship, pray, exhort, intercede, and commune.
..."The Awakening : Our Definition
Four World Race Squads at various points in their pilgrimage...
Racers who have gone before to hear the whisper...
Spiritual fathers and mothers devoting their lives to the awakening of a generation...
"You're here because there's a whisper... a rumor of another world that compels you." -Michael Hindes
We are a generation called. We walk with an understanding that the Kingdom is at hand and the irresistible calling of that destiny exposes the insatiable desire for something greater. The World Race is part of that destiny, part of that movement that something larger than ourselves is brewing... and we can't help but run after it."...
For 3 days, I sat amongst over 200 people in my generation as we collectively, as one body, cried out for more of Him in our lives and in the nations. The time was powerful, and completely refueling to both my spirit and the vision. I found myself sitting between people from my first squad in January 2008 that I had not seen since we tore ourselves away from one another last November, and my August people now on the field who are less than two months into this journey.
There is something infectious about being amongst so many of your own peers who are pursuing the same dreams you are. And there is something so igniting to your spirit to be taught by the men who have gone before and are handing over the mysteries and knowledge it has taken them decades to capture. it was both an honor and an infusion of passion afresh.
I walked out fiercely charged. And the reverberations are just starting. It is the ringing of over 200 people who are crying the violent cries, that the Kingdom of God may be forcefully advanced across the nations.
I landed back up in Michigan six weeks ago, settled into a
house with almost triple the roommates, and am now officially heading up the "Field Support" department for the World Race.
The epic adventure of my life (to that point), which had taken me to 11 countries in 11 months with 27 crazies had ended. With one last night of worship and celebration, we closed up what had become life and family for the last year. And we started the trek back to what was once familiar soil to begin an even greater challenge of incorporating all we had learned outside the camp back inside the place we were being called to. 
I learned some big things this past year. I learned that God rarely moves quickly with things, but He always moves suddenly. And that while my generation (myself definitely included) struggles to commit for the long haul, God always blesses those who put their hand to what He asks and commits. I have learned that it is all about relationships and that at the end of the day, it is not about what I do as much as who I choose to do it with. That living under the authority of spiritual parents gives covering and authority in my own life. And that the most important place to find myself is in the midst of what God is doing instead of trying to do my own thing and asking Him to join in. 
As I write this today, I find myself at the edge of the Israeli desert just days away from completing my second go-around of this World Race adventure. In just a week, I will once again board a plane bound for the states. This time, however, I won't be sitting next to all my people to charge back on American soil as a large cloud of passion. Instead, I will travel alone, leaving this squad, that I am so blessed to call my people, here in the Holy Land to continue this journey for the next seven months without me. 
Fast forward three weeks later when our Turkey debrief arrived. Our first night together as a family, Aaron and I announced the new squad leaders. From the beginning of the time out here, we knew part of our role would be raising up new leaders to lead the squad the remaining 8 months. And from launch, we knew pretty clearly it would be 
letting her begin her journey of getting to know who He is and what He promises. Bukarija pulled out a New Testament in Fetiga's language so she could start reading it for herself. When we handed it to her, she was hesitant in taking it. She told us that she has terrible eyesight and didn't know if she would be able to read the small writing. Quickly we told her that not only is God a God who saves, but He is also one who heals today. And with that, we laid our hands on her eyes and prayed healing into them right then and there. There's no reason in waiting on these things, especially when God's intention is to meet His people so personally in the moment. 
Her name is Fetija and she lives in Montenegro, a country of 700,000 with roughly 200 Christians in the entire nation. In Ulcinj, the city I came to meet her, you cannot make it through your day without hearing at least one of over ten mosques in the city do their regular calls to prayer. The noise vibrates throughout the city, invading every ounce of air so that it is all but impossible to ignore.
We finished worship and began eating lunch. The next moments were a blur, but I remember sitting on a lounge chair with my lunch in hand and feeling quickly compelled to go bring the rest to Fetija. So over I went, handing her half my lunch, and sitting down with her. We just smiled, laughed, and kept on holding hands. 
