We left Romania and have made our way to the city of Kruje, Albanian where we have been going through debrief. It’s a time when our leadership team (Brandon – mentor and Jenn and AJ – coaches) visit us in the field and learn in person about our time in Romania.
I am reminded of how time feels so compressed on the Race. We have been out on the field for six weeks, but it feels like months already. Even this past week, talking about Romania seems like a lifetime ago.
When I was a little kid, I remember there was a Christian song that used to play at kids church or camp or somewhere. I don’t remember any of the lyrics except “He’s still working on me”. It rings true to me now more than ever.
I feel like a perpetual work in progress. Just when I think I have been made whole in an area of my life, the LORD shows me a blind spot or takes me through deeper healing. But then I reminded to take my eyes off myself and put them back on Jesus. It’s not about me, it’s about Him. It’s a constant battle.
Speaking of battles, it feels like I am spinning plates: I’m trying to figure out this team lead role, learning to walk in vulnerability AGAIN, how to ask leadership for help, learning when to speak, when to be silent, when to pursue, when to hold back from pursuing someone, how to not be ruled by my emotions, and most of all learning to trust God through all of it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Isaiah 48:10
“I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.”
This is a perfect scripture to describe what I have been going through the past six weeks: refinement by fire.
After debrief week, we are now currently in a week of teaching with our mentor Brandon. Its been chock full of wisdom and healthy discussion that doesn’t shy away from hard topics like how do we know we hear from the Holy Spirit?
After this week, our squad splits off into their teams to spread the gospel throughout Albania wherever the LORD leads us. A big part of that is praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us. It’s time to put what we learned to practice. Do we really believe what the Bible says? Can we trust the promises of God? Will He provide honey in the rock like Psalm 81 talks about?
Speaking of trusting the LORD and His provision, THANK YOU to all who donated!! I am fully funded! Woooo! Insert dancing gif here!!!
Now I can truly say I “owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
Continue to be praying for us as we move forward into a new season of this journey:
– the Lord would guide us: our eyes, ears, and hearts would be open to His leading.
– Unity.
– That we would take every opportunity to share the gospel that we can.
– Ukraine and Russia. We had a time of worship and intercession for the situation going on there right now and we are keeping our eyes open to help any refugees we might come across while we are here in Albania. Also, our host in Romania is currently at/on their way to the border to be the hands and feet of Jesus. If you want to help them through prayer or funds, this is their website: https://www.hoperomania.org
I greatly appreciate your honesty, Heidi. Thank you for the reminder that we will always have more to learn and grow in. I pray that God leads you into these lessons with all of His compassion, love, and mercy, even if it hurts sometimes!
And what an incredible blessing that you are fully funded! God is good!
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WOW God is good! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability! 🙂
Heidi! Thank you so much for sharing. You rock!
Congratulations on fully funded!
I think that I’ve embraced and maybe even a little bit happy about the reality that He’s still working on me. He can get a lot done with some stubborn people that He loves!