As training camp winds down, I wanted to share all that the Lord has been doing here in Gainesville, Georgia. Over the past week, we have experienced worship, teaching, and meals from many different cultures. The Lord has been teaching me about community, hearing His voice, securing my true identity in Christ, and so much more! Our squad mentor shared a phrase for our group to live by. We will be “people of grace who give honor freely.” God has charged us with the mission to love others and to honor those who are worthy of His love (which is EVERYONE!). As we live in community, we will love one another and give grace. I am excited to get to know my teammates and see Jesus grow in them over the next year.
During our first few days of training, I was struggling with insecurities and feelings of self-doubt as I embark on this journey. I struggled with feeling confident in my abilities and in the gifts that the Lord has given me. I kept thinking “God, why did you choose me? I have nothing to offer Your kingdom.” But through His grace, He has been combating these lies with His truth. He has been re-rooting my identity in Jesus. For it is not through my own strength that I will do His work this year, but it is through HIS strength. The Lord has been laying multiple “I am” statements on my heart through these teachings and His Word. I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). I am God’s child (John 1:12). I am made beautifully (Psalm 139:13-14).
One of my training sessions today was over evangelism. We learned some practical tools to share the gospel, then headed to a local laundromat. On the way there, the feelings of insecurity and self-doubt began to resurface. I questioned if I had the confidence and boldness to start conversations about faith with strangers. Then I met Julie.
Julie recently began a career in travel nursing, and she is a believer. We got to share some of our story, and she asked me questions about the World Race. I got the chance to share the heart of our mission. Julie said that she could never “do what we are doing” because she is too shy. Julie was facing the exact insecurity and road block that the Lord has been working to heal in my life. How cool. I shared Psalm 139 with Julie and encouraged her that she has been made beautifully and wonderfully. And it is the same Jesus in the both of us – and HE is the one who gives us confidence, strength, and boldness. God’s timing is so perfect that He had just this week taught me the exact “nugget” of wisdom that Julie needed to hear. He placed us in each other’s paths to encourage one another. Please pray that Julie would continue to find her voice and confidence in Jesus. Pray that the Lord will bless her new job and that she would continue to seek Him first. 
