Already, and only, 8 days ago J-squad ventured out of Gainselville, Georgia and to the great country of Guatemala. Upon first impression I could not be more excited and at peace to be here. That first impression has only grown to become a deep love for the country and people of Guatemala. The Adventures in Missions base is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes that are especially glorious in the mornings. There is an ease in getting up in the mornings and an ease in the pace of life here. Riding chicken buses and walking the streets like a native, makes me feel like I have been here my whole life. 

The staff at the base have been so intentional in pouring into our squad. Without distraction, I’ve realized that all I want to do on base is hang out with Jesus and hang out with people. One way they are intentional about us being filled up is Activation Thursdays.

Activation Thursday Order of Events:

• Worship
• Teaching
• Meditation and ask the Lord about teaching
• Talk about teach with team
• In house activation
• Go out and share what you learned

This Thursday was about identity. There could not be a better teaching this week for me because I have been thinking about and trying to implement living life from the abundance of God. It is nice to receive affirmation from people, but the longest lasting affirmations are the ones that God speaks over us. Something that hit me during the teaching was, “One of the greatest forms of spiritual warfare is walking in who God has made you to be.” Because I am a new creation, every day I get to die to self and accept the fact that because the very Spirit of God lives inside of me, I get to live from the nature that He behold (aka the fruits of the spirit). All insecurity is not from Him so I get to choose not to claim that and instead I get to live from a place of love, joy, peace, patience, etc., because it is already inside of me because of Jesus. Less of me; more of Him. As I have stepped into this, I have seen the Lord’s blessings. 

Street evangelism was (and kind of still is) scary, but with boldness that Jesus has put in me I have had conversations with people where I can saintly encourage them with the encouraging words that Jesus has given me. Two conversations in particular, though, the women started to encourage me. It seems twisted that Jesus has sent me out to bless others, but in return people are blessing me with their words. From that I can only get more fired up and pushed to continue to do what I came here to do. 

Yes, street evangelism is new and nerve racking. Yes, I am still learning how to live from the abundance of God. But this is a journey. Every day I do my best to actively lay down the insecurities that I have claimed for so long. Every day I get to accept the anointing that Jesus has given me and abide in His presence as He leads me through life. 

1 John 2:27 says, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”