Wow. Today it’s been 236 days since I’ve been on the field. It also means I’ve got 85 days left till it’s time to begin the next season God has for me. (Still waiting on the details for that, btw).
Already, I’ve started to face some of the last things I’ll get to do on this journey, and it’s felt like a cold ocean wave has splashed me in the face. This splash has made me feel a little overwhelmed about what comes next, but it’s also deepened my resolve to finish on fire. I know the best is yet to come in the last three months of this adventure!
Where I’ve Been and What I’ve Been Doing
Anyways, it’s been a minute since my last update, and since the last time I wrote, I’ve been to Jordan, Turkey, and Georgia.
Here are some of the ways I’ve been able to be God’s hands and feet across these three countries:
Jordan
I got to serve alongside Marka Church. They serve the Iraqi refugee community in Jordan, and I was able to bless them with an organized storage area while encouraging some of the Iraqi refugees who serve in the church.
Jesus also made a way for me to share His name with a group of Bedouin men in Wadi Rum. Read about this story in Wild Wadi Rum Part 1.
Turkey
My time in Turkey was ATL, which means I Ask The Lord how he wants to use me every day. He led me to pass out encouraging, prophetic art, prayer walk, and love on a lot of stray dogs all over Turkey.
My favorite moment was on the bus from Istanbul to Eskeshir. There was a young girl sitting close to me who was getting really bored on the ride, so I tried to see if she knew how to play tic-tac-toe, cuz you don’t need to speak the same language for that one. She loved it! We had a blast connecting over this simple game, and somehow I know Jesus used that to make her feel seen and loved.
Georgia
Georgia has also been ATL, and pretty quickly, it was clear God wanted my team and I to focus on evangelism. We hit the streets hard! We prayed for healing for anyone we came across who was injured, passed out free flowers while saying Jesus loves you, declared truth over people, and did a lot of listening for those who needed to talk.
One of my favorite moments from Georgia was this time I was doing ministry in a mall. I was wrapping up for the day, and decided to get dinner at the food court. By the time I got my food, there weren’t any empty tables, so I went to this area where I could stand and eat my food. Just as I was finishing my dinner, one of the tables close to me cleared up, and a girl decided to claim it. As soon as I saw her, Holy Spirit told me to go sit with her. I waited to see if she had any friends coming. When it was clear she was by herself, I went up and introduced myself. It turned out she was a Christian, and she was so happy I came over to sit with her. She told me she was dreading eating alone, and it meant so much to her that I came over to talk with her. We had a sweet conversation about Jesus, dreams for the future, traveling, and how great khinkali is. I am so glad I obeyed Holy Spirit!
Read about another adventure I had in Georgia in Are God’s Promises Real?
God Continues to Move In My Heart
It continues to be an honor to participate in the work God’s already doing everywhere we go, but the way I’ve been His hands and feet remains secondary to what’s He’s been doing in me.
Most of my race has been about abiding in my Beloved, and that’s what my theme has been in Jordan, Turkey and Georgia. Outside of ministry, I’ve gotten to spend most of my time at His feet, captivated by His fiery eyes. I know it doesn’t sound like much, and honestly, I myself have even wondered how He’s using all my time with Him.
Well, recently He gave me a glimpse: He helped me see He’s set me free to be the wild, fearless, fiery flame He made me to be. In being set free, I’ve been able to love him back with no restraint, which has looked like getting rid of most my things and only having two outfits or not hesitating to get in a stranger’s car in the middle of the Wadi Rum desert because all I can see is a man my Savior longs to see walking down the wedding aisle toward Him. (Read Wild Wadi Rum Part 1 for more on that one).
Abiding in my Beloved with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind has been the best thing that’s happened to me, and I’m so excited for the depth He’s got planned for me and Him in the coming months and years on this side of heaven.
What’s Next
I will be wrapping up my time in Georgia with a week-long prayer burn (praying through the night), and then I’ll be off to Armenia for a month. After Armenia, there’s a good chance I’ll get to go back to Romania and serve Ukrainian refugees! My whole squad is so stoked for this opportunity.
Keep us in your prayers that we’ll find a balance of finishing well while also preparing for what comes after our journey. Thank you for being part of this adventure!
Until next time,
Nat
Way to go, girl! God’s anointing is on you to open prison doors and set the captives free!
Such great things God is doing in you. And he is using use all over the place. So fun. You have my prayers, Natalie!
So good, Natalie! Yes! God does more than we give Him credit. I love the story of eating in Georgia and meeting with your new friend. Yea, Holy Spirit! Thank you for being obedient. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Ruth!! It’s been such an honor to have you on this journey with me. I know your prayers have kept me safe and opened the doors that needed to be opened.
Thank you, Darla!
Thanks, Chris!
😀 Thanks, Dad!
Love to read all about your experiences with Jesus and people and what He is doing in you and through you! You are a talented writer! Praying for you and your team as you end this race and He leads you in your next steps! God’s peace and blessings!