My week in Morocco celebrating and ministering to T Squad in their final week of their 11 month trip was truly such an honor. As some of you know, I fundraised for my flight costs for this trip, and within a day and a half of starting my fundraising campaign, the total amount of funds came in! Thank you! God’s provision constantly overwhelms me.
This trip started with ABUNDANCE, and this outpour of God’s goodness continued throughout the week with the squad.
The streets of Marrakech, Morocco, are filled with sounds, smells, colors, textures, foods, and people zipping around tight corners on mopeds and bicycles. It is a sensory overload! In the best possible way. At night, the huge square would come to life with hundreds of people moving in and around booths or circling around snake charmers and groups of locals playing instruments. You could easily get lost in the winding streets around the square that take you down twists and turns until you look up and you find yourself back where you started. Markets always excite me. I love the mild level of chaos and the bustle of people moving about. The immersion of culture and sounds. And dang, Marrakech has one of the craziest markets that I’ve experienced so far!
My first day in Morocco was filled with rest, catching up with the two people who knew I was coming (it was a surprise for the rest of the group!), and anxiously waiting the arrival of the Racers. I couldn’t wait to see them and surprise them! They had just finished up their ministry this month and were traveling to Marrakech for this last week on the field. When the Racers did show up to our riad (a house with an inner courtyard or garden), they lovingly snooped through my luggage and clothes to see who I could be. And, they freaked out when I showed up!
Our first night, the squad coaches and mentor called each Racer up and shared words from the Lord that each had prayed and received for them. It was a powerful! The coaches and mentor have journeyed with this squad from the first day of the trip, so they have such a perspective into their individual journey.
(Eric is pictured above. If you have ever wondered what it is that I actually “do” at Adventures in Missions, check out Eric’s quote: “You were the voice that let me know what this crazy thing was called the World Race. You talked with me patiently, gave me vision for what this journey looked like, and prayed with me while I was in a difficult place. Once I told you I was ‘in’, you became the person who was cheering me on step by step, challenging me, and celebrating victories with me. From that first phone call until now, you choose to invest in my life, and I’m so thankful. This year changed my life, and you were the first example to me of what the World Race stood for and was all about … “)
They even prayed for words for ME! I was shocked and honored to be a part of such an intimate night with the whole squad. God kept giving me more and more. Deon’s prayer was spot on for what I was already sensing for the Lord. And Rynette and Ben provided such a unique perspective that it kinda blew my mind. So crazy! Check out what my words were below:
The days were mostly filled with one on one chats and walking to and from the markets and food vendors. I cherish these moments. The informal, authentic interactions that led to awesome conversations and discipleship. The late night talks with the girls in my room and the laughter and tears that definitely always followed. These are the moments that won’t be forgotten any time soon. There was one night that T Squad led us in worship (and let me tell you, it was SWEET. Three guitars and two violins and umpteen awesome voices), and I felt the Father remind me not only of His goodness to me and this squad as they wrap up their time on the mission field, but also His goodness in the streets on Morocco. That He is HERE, and He is on the move. And a rush of hope and expectancy flooded over me for this place.
Later on in the week, the whole group went on an excursion outside the city to go camel riding in the desert! Like, whaaat?! Yes, we did it. I kept wanting to pinch myself while I was riding my beautiful camel Isha.
What a way to celebrate this year and all that God has done! Never would I have imagined that my work with T Squad would produce such depth. I am grateful and humbled to have them be in my life. Our last night in Morocco, we gathered together around a long table and ate together. We toasted to each other and to the upcoming adventure that God will provide for each of us in this new season. We laughed at the knowingness that surrounded us. We teared up when when our best selfs were highlighted and praised.
This group has changed. And they have changed me.
STAFF FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
For my job on staff with Adventures in Missions, I fundraise $500 a month. I currently have $375 a month pledged for this goal! Praise God! That only leaves $125 more a month to be fully funded for this upcoming 2018 year. If you would like to give ($25, $40, $50, $65, $75, $100, or any other amount per month!), please click the donate button at the top of the page. I would LOVE for you to join my monthly support team 🙂
PRAYER NEEDS:
Please pray for my new job and its growing responsibilities; Please pray that I reach my fundraising goal soon; Please pray for my daily renewal and need for Christ to grow; Please pray that I have eyes to see His will and the courage and boldness to walk actively in it; Please pray for the health of my sister-in-law Elana as she undergoes radiation treatment
