Beautiful Bunions

On my first Race in 2020 I had the idea to write this blog, but didn’t feel it was time. Now that I just finished my 3rd round on the field with AIM, I see this in a new light. 

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Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains

    are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

    who publishes salvation,

    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Last year I wrote a blog talking about the struggles of sharing my faith (check it out here.) I grew up in a Christian home and a beautiful church community, yet I didn’t know how to evangelize, to share my testimony. So in Kyrgyzstan (month 10) God put me in many conversations where I got to practice. 

After that my heart cry became, “Lord, give me opportunities to share! I want to be a part of someone giving their life to you!”

Coming into this year my prayer was the same. And this last month in Costa Rica God answered that prayer. 

My host took my team to San José, the capital of Costa Rica, for two nights of street evangelism. I’ve been praying that God would give me more visions and words for people. As we were walking the streets at night praying for addicts and prostitutes, we came up to a group of 4 people huddled together. They were from Venezuela and were on their way to America. 

We gathered around them and prayed, and while we were praying God gave me a vision. It was of the four of them, completely on fire for the Lord and sharing him with everyone they came in contact with on their way to America, like little fires catching and spreading rapidly. God then prompted me to share it with them, so with the help of a translator I did. Then I told them that this could only work if they gave their lives to God and fully surrendered to him. Then I asked if they wanted that. 

The lady translating for me then went on to explain the gospel to them, and then asked them if they wanted to give their lives to God and they all said yes! Then each of the four prayed and surrendered their lives to God. My group then prayed over them again for boldness and great faith as they went forward. 

Walking away from that encounter, God reminded me of the prayer I’d been praying and showed me that He had answered it. I was floored! God had let me be a part of his kingdom work in that sweet, life changing way. I felt honored and excited for more opportunities! Through the rest of my time in Costa Rica my team did lots of street evangelism and sharing of testimonies. Many people heard the gospel, received Bibles, and we saw more give their lives to the Lord.

And because of these experiences I now see the above verse in a new way. My feet have been all over the world, and they’ve been very dirty these last three years with the World Race. There were days that I definitely wouldn’t have described them as beautiful. But God does. These feet have been used to bring the good news to people! 

Now the Lord is bringing these bunions back to the USA. I’m not sure what he has for me, but there must be kingdom work back in Minnesota for me.

Would God call your feet beautiful? Are they bringing the good news in the part of the Kingdom you live in? You don’t have to be out bringing the gospel to an indigenous people group, but there are people who live in your neighborhood who don’t know God. They are walking in darkness and you hold the answer to bring them to the light. To freedom. To purpose. Get out and get your feet dirty! The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 

Don’t be content keeping your feet clean by sitting in the pew Sunday morning then returning to normal life. God has so much more for you than that. 

Romans 10:14-15

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

And in case you’re wondering why the title of this blog is Beautiful Bunions, it’s because one of the guys from my squad last year was leading with me this year. He always calls his toes bunions, and that got picked up by the whole squad. It leaves you with a great mental picture… 

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Prayer requests:

• N Squad as they continue on their Race and step into leadership themselves. They are in the Dominican Republic this month. 
• My next steps- all I know is that God is calling me to a time of rest, spiritual basics and disciplines, and pouring into my family. Not sure of the time frame or future plans so stay tuned. I know God has more things to come. 

Praises:

• My time on the field was redemptive and amazing! I loved both my women’s teams and saw the Lord work in unity, vulnerability, and ownership in each of the women. And this was the group of people I needed during this season. They loved me and encouraged me so well.
• God provided the funds for me to be fully funded yet again!
• Thanks for all your prayers and support! More people have come into the Kingdom and you’ve played a role in that! Hallelujah!