Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 8/27/2010
This is an ariticle I wrote for seashinemag.com (go and check out the article on the site!) UPDATE TIME MY FRIENDS!!! I am leaving tomorrow for Ireland (for 12 days) for a worship conference and debrief with Squad N--the squad I co-led in January. They are on month 9!!!!! crazy!!!! Keep me in your prayers as I continue to move in faith. Love to you all!
Tara's Travels: Update #2
SeaShine Readers,
With an unexpected trip to Africa, visiting eight states and recovering from a burglary, my life has been quite the whirlwind since returning from missions in May. I have been able to rest some, but I have mostly found myself on the go. Between visiting friends and family and adjusting to living in The States, life has been (and will remain) interesting, full of love and full of adventure.
Visiting 4 World Racers from my July '08 squad for a wedding in Austin, TX
I entered into this summer in much prayer. Adjusting to the culture I grew up in has been easy in some ways and unexpectedly difficult in others. I didn't necessarily have a hard time realizing that clean water was coming out of the faucet or trying to decide which of the 1,000 shampoos to pick at the grocery store. Instead, I've had a hard time walking with God on familiar ground. I knew how to walk with God before leaving for missions in July, 2008, but God pretty much rocked my world when I was immersed in foreign cultures as well as deep community. While overseas, I learned how to relate to God all over again - because I had to. I also had to change my mindset, a process that required the sifting away of false precepts. It was a journey that changed my relationship with God - for the better.
I see things in a unique way now that I'm back to my "old stomping grounds." Being removed from what I've always known will do that, but I now have had to fight the battle of how to relate to God here after the time away. I've even had to figure out how to adjust to a new community. God didn't change throughout my travels, I did. And how does this changed self live life (with God and people) here?
The group that was robbed in Tanzania. I played Santa & brought stuff from around our house (in the US) to lighten the mood!
For the most part, I have found myself quite adaptable. (One would need to be when you change locations up to 17 times in one month - while leading on the World Race!) A few weeks ago, I received a call from my organization saying that one of my teams (from the squad I co-led in January, 2010) was held up at gun point and robbed. My organization needed me to fly out the next day to Tanzania, Africa and help debrief the team with one of the squad coaches from the Netherlands. I was on a plane in 24 hours and found that the time was needed for both parties - for both my squad and for me. It was a blessing no one was hurt in the ordeal. I returned to The States after a week in Tanzania, feeling a little more grounded in the journey God has me on. I returned with a deeper peace than when I left.
With the girls cell group I co-led before leaving for the World Race
Three days after returning to Arkansas, I flew to California to visit my dad and family. We were on our way back from visiting family in Oregon, our car was broken into, while we take a moment to eat some
dinner. Needless to say the "one-bag-I-would-grab-in-a-house-fire" was taken. I had taken all my pictures with me (including back-ups) to put together a photography website to help raise funds for missions. The photographs, my camera, my computer and all of the remaining contents of the bag were gone. I found then that, in the words of William Carey, "I [had] been brought more lowly so that I might look at God more simply." Being in Tanzania had prepared me for this moment. Itt could have been a lot worse.
So here I am (second from the left, in the nearest above photo) on a new journey now. Got a new Bible and a journal, and my father gave me his camera. Fresh start! A portion of grace comes over people at just the right times, and I find now that I am looking at the face of God. I am still praying about long-term missions and will be heading out to Ireland on the 28th of this month (August) to see my squad for a debrief and a worship conference! In the meantime, I am working with my mother in real estate, reading the blogs of the World Racers and staying connected with the community here. I am excited for "the now" and for what is to come. I have my sails raised, and God is my captain.
Pac y Amor,
Tara
Read more about Tara's Travels this Fall on SeaShineMag.com, and find her latest prayer requests at http://tarastephenson.theworldrace.org.
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 6/22/2010
I am now a contributor for Seashine Online Magazine.
Visit www.seashinemag.com and go to this article http://www.seashinemag.com/taras-travel-update-entry-1/ or the interview http://www.seashinemag.com/meet-seashines-news-contributor-tara-stephenson/
Tara’s Travels: Entry #1
Orphans in Mozambique
Imagine yourself, whether with your family or alone, packing your backpack and leaving America with 31 strangers. You leave your home with the clear understanding that you will not return to it for at least eleven months and that during that time you’ll see four continents, eleven countries and countless new faces and cultures. Where you’ll rest your head every night you do not know yet, but that’s part of the deal. You’ve come to this very point in your life, where you’ve decided to trust something bigger than yourself, and the race is on.
My journey began in July, 2008 when I left my home in Bella Vista, Arkansas for an “event” called The World Race (eleven countries in eleven months). The World Race is Christian-affiliated mission trip, which offers a variety of outreach services focused on the poor and destitute in each country. I began my trip (2008) in Latin America and then traveled and settled for a bit in Southeast Asia. Some of my harder yet most joyful months were spent in southern Africa, while my concluding days and weeks were spent in Eastern Europe.
I can tell you so many things about my time abroad, but the most moving for me, perhaps, is the way God filled in the cracks for me, so to speak. I didn’t expect to come to the end of myself on this trip, but I indeed did. When you live in incredibly tight quarters with a number of people and share everything, you find yourself at the mercy others â€" “others” who likely don’t speak English. In such situations, where communication is even limited, all you can do is trust God.
School Girl, Irrawaddy's Delta in Myanmar
I remember a time in Myanmar when we almost ran out of money because the locals would not accept our bills. Many thoughts went through my mind at that time â€" all of which seemed to come down to one pivotal question though, “How am I going to survive?” Amazingly, in fact, as God provided far more than what we needed, financially! Then, another time, we were asked by a local pastor to create and lead a program for 300 children, which would begin in… oh, 10 minutes! WHAT?! And, yet another time, my team and I were in Zimbabwe and desperately needed favor with border officials in order to gain passage into Malawi â€" the near impossible. Then yet again, in Vietnam, I found myself in another trying situation â€" living in a hotel where most of the rooms were “brothel rooms”. In all of these situations (and more), I learned to trust in God and to have faith in Him as my provider â€" that He is who He says He is. And, amazingly, in the midst of every personal need, I found Hope instead of despair and provision instead of abandonment.
Where do you go, and what do you do after a journey like that?! As a result of my travel, I, personally, now know that the remainder of my life will be spent building God’s Kingdom and spreading His culture â€" a culture that has no geographical boundaries â€" everywhere I go. Whether in business, church planting, government, the entertainment industry, etc., ministry can be done, as God’s presence is just as strong and powerful in those settings as It is in the extreme circumstances of The Word Race.
After finishing The World Race, in fact, I learned about and felt called to work with Generation 42, an organization that trains and equips a generation of people to be the forerunners for building God’s Kingdom in a variety of places and spaces. This organization connects participants’ passions with real life work opportunities. Generation 42 participants learn how to teach their peers and social groups the hard truths about Christ â€" truths hat set a rock foundation for expanding faith. This ministry gives participants, whether working in Fortune 500 companies or planting churches in various countries, for example, communal support and encouragement, which in the end moves “dreams” into action. We weren’t meant to sail solo, so G42 is like a cruise ship that sends people out to do various things, together.
Robby, My G42 Co-Leader
During my time with G42, I became focused and ready to invest long-term in missions! God sent me back to the World Race to become a leader with my G42 friend, Robby Riggs. Together, we launched 55 others on their 2010 World Race and through a four-month period, trained two new leaders to take our places throughout the remainder of the year. The 2010 World Race started in New Zealand, proceeded to Australia and the Philippines and ended, for us, in Malaysia in May of 2010. The 2010 group is still truckin’ though and is currently serving month six in Kenya (please keep them in your prayers).
Leading the 2010 World Race participants for the short time that we did, impacted me in such a unique way. I love to see people awaken their full existence in Christ and truly come alive. And, Robby and I were able to watch that very thing happen in this group of exceptional people. It was such an amazing site!
Now, as I sit in Northwest Arkansas for my brief visit to the US, I know I have a purpose for being here. I have a purpose greater than myself no matter where I am, in fact. I will be flying out to see my 2010 World Race squad again in August in Ireland, and then I’ll fly out again for our final visit with them in November in Eastern Europe. In the meantime, I’m putting together a photography website, helping my family where I can, catching up with old friends and praying about returning to missions long-term in Spain.
This has been quite the journey (figuratively and literally), and it continues still with many more miles of travel ahead. It’s a wild process, contemplating returning overseas and working in full time ministry. But, God is helping me take small toward the goal. Each step of faith gets a little easier and at the same time, a little crazier. This journey all started with trusting something bigger than me, and so it continues! I know now what makes me tick and what my spiritual gifts are, and I cannot wait to wake up the sleepers in this generation, as a result. They are waiting for me, for us, so join me as I share more about my travels with you over the coming months!
And, check out my blog for more stories and photographs: http://tarastephenson.theworldrace.org
Pac y Amor,
Tara Stephenson
 - Leading a Bible Study in Myanmar
 - Vineyard in northern Mayanmar
 - Sunset from Gibraltar Overlooking Morocco
 - Orphans in Mozambique
 - Girls in Kiev, Ukraine
 - My Translator & Friend in Ukraine
 - School Girl, Irrawaddy’s Delta in Myanmar
 - Robby and Me
 - Krissy Whaley (New WR Jan 10 Leader) Meeting with Roxas (Vice-Presidential Candidate in The Philippines)
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 6/15/2010
EXCITING NEWS:
I have been asked to be a contributor of an online magazine called:
here is the latest interview I had with Whitney D'Armond (founder and editor of Seashine magazine). The article is attached to the blog. Go and visit this website. I am now back in Arkansas for a season. My co-leader Robby Riggs and I raised up two wonderul leaders (Krissy Whaley and Austin Robertson) for the N-squad. I will be visiting them twice this year for debriefs and a conference. Much to still blog about and will continue posting! Thank you so much for your support and prayers. I am so grateful and can't wait to tell you what is next! Love love always. T
Meet News Contributor, Tara Stephenson
It's time for you to meet one uniquely gifted and amazingly talented woman! Say "hello" to Tara Stephenson, a native to Northwest Arkansas, a fan of live music, a lover of people and a photographer extraordinaire. Tara serves as SeaShine Magazine's News Contributor, and, well... she has nothing less that something amazing to share with us. In two years' time, Tara has traveled to 30 countries doing mission work and absorbing the sights, sounds of experiences of some 30+ cultures. And, no the journey hasn't stopped for this humanitarian; instead, it's just beginning.
So, sit down, buckle up, and prepare yourself for a wonderfully eye opening ride as Tara shares about herself and her amazing experiences with us today and throughout the year.
SS: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Tara! What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, and what are your hobbies/interests?
TS: I really love a variety of things. When spare time comes, I love to explore. If I am in a new city, I usually take my camera with me and document my journey. I am a coffee coinsurer, and I enjoy live music, movies, theater, and most sports. My friends and I are usually up for dancing: including and not limited to, hip hop, salsa, modern, even ballroom. And if I get the special opportunity, I will attempt to surf. That is where I just chill with God. I love and invest most of my time simply in people - in learning their stories and in seeing them come alive.
SS: Give us a little insight into your educational and professional experience.
TS: I graduated from John Brown University in 2007 with Bachelors of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Broadcasting. While at JBU, I served on newspaper staff and also served as radio announcer for the local Christian station, KLRC/Fayetteville, AR. While in school, I also interned for a semester with Provident Label Group in Nashville, where I met you (Whitney  ) and supported the rest of the National Radio Promotions team. In July 2008, I left for The World Race and then attended a leadership academy in Spain called Generation 42. I am now working with The World Race and co-lead a squad of 55 in January of 2010.
SS: How did you get involved with The World Race? Tell us more about the organization.
Working with the "women of the night" in the Philippines (March 2010)
TS: I learned about The World Race through a friend at JBU. After a lot of prayer, I applied and was accepted to go. The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. We work with preexisting contacts in each country, and serve in their regions however possible. Our ministry opportunities range from coordinating disaster relief efforts, working with orphans, loving on AIDS victims and helping sex trafficking victims and prostitutes find other jobs. And, the list continues! We live out of a backpack, change our clothes daily, and go! Crazy - the things I've witnessed.
SS: I can say, honestly, that ever since I've known you, you've always had an infectious spontaneity about you! Do you and your teammates find that quality an asset to your group? (I wish I had a bit more of that characteristic myself.)
TS: Ha well, yes. I have learned how to own that characteristic within myself and to embrace it. In fact, I sometimes surprise myself even! I really enjoy bringing spontaneity, paired with a bit of joy and a lot of laughter to every situation! When you take an ordinary day and throw some spice on it, you tend to find yourself later with an unexpected yet amazingly tasty dish.
SS: What are some of the most impactful things you've encountered during your travels?
TS: I have proclaimed God's strength and power most of my life, but when you see His work first hand, it rocks your soul. I have seen women freed of depression and bitterness, instantly. I've prayed with a beautiful woman for healing from cancer and for God's grace to overwhelm her abusive marriage. I later returned, only to hear that her cancer was gone and that her marriage was on the mends (as her husband chose to pursue and shower her with love). I think God has done something truly astonishing in me and in my peers as we've watched these things happen. We once collectively said, "Someone has to do something!" but we now join together and say, "Ok, what can we do to help?"
SS: Do you feel you're a changed woman, now that you've visited so many places and have spoken with such a variety of people?
TS: Changed? Oh, yes. I really didn't have a strong understanding of "culture" prior to my travels. My experiences overseas have given me an entirely different understanding of the world. I've found myself at the most random places - in an Indian wedding in Malaysia, for example, or in Romania cutting lumber with the Gypsies.
The trip that truly changed me though was my journey into Myanmar (Burma) where I was able to see exactly where the cyclone hit in 2008 - only five months prior to my visit. The sweet children left orphaned as a result of the storm's fury changed me as did the grandmothers (called "Go Go's") in Swaziland, who joyfully look after these children.
I found my soul music in that land. My time in Spain broke me - only to build me back up again with the confidence, strength and peace I needed to move forward.
SS: What do you feel we, Americans, take most for granted in our day-to-day lives?
TS: Besides our everyday needs (water, healthcare, food, etc.), I think we take our own opportunities for granted most - the "rights" we've acquired by simply owning a US passport
. It is simply unheard of in many nations that others may dream. Some only think day to and never consider their future.
SS: What have you learned about God since leaving the US in July of 2008?
TS: In two years, I've visited some 30 countries and have only revisited the US twice. I have come to a place now, where I just don't think Jesus is Lord, but I know He is. God is Who He says He is, whether I understand that or not, in fact.
As a result of this boldness and assertive strength He's given me, my faith has obviously grown. I find though that what He's led me to on my journeys (literally and metaphorically) requires that strong faith. I'm seeing that things only get harder on this journey and the pain of people's grief deeper. I need that confidence and sheer trust in Him in order to lead - period.
The power of His Spirit is the other thing that has truly moved me. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in us. Now that is pretty incredible. His voice, His spirit and His love have spurred me on, and His honesty is changing me daily.
SS: What affects have your travels had upon your family and friends here in the United States?
TS: I believe some of my friends and family members are quite inspired. They love to hear what's been happening, and they love to be a part of it through prayer and financial support. I could not do what I do without them! No matter where I am and regardless of how tough situations may be, I know I have people behind me, and that means so much.
SS: Tara, your photography is astounding!! The photos you've captured during your travels speak stories words couldn't express effectively. When did you pick up photography, and how has this medium has affected your time abroad?
Beautiful Mothers in Malawi (March 2009)
TS: Thank you, thank you! Growing up, my dad always shot with an old film camera from the 70's. He taught me how to shoot it when I was young, and then I bought my first film camera after high school. I've since moved over to the digital world, but I miss film so much that I keep all my settings on manual, so I can capture what I see as I want to see it. That is an art in and of itself! Abroad, I have been able to shoot for orphanages and different organizations. I have also been able to use the images I've captured to bring awareness to social justice matters. I hosted my first gallery last year to raise money for my funds in Spain. But, I really just to bless the people I'm with, with great photos documenting our experiences together. Regardless of their nationality, race or culture, when people see themselves photographed for the first time, they light up! If you'd like to see more of my photos, check out my blog.
SS: If you had one bit of photography advice to share with an amateur what would it be?
TS: Get that thing on manual! When you see a picture you want to capture, try getting the lighting and exposure right. You can do that through manually setting your exposure and/or your aperture and shutter speed. Turn off the flash and go. See what you get. Keep playing with the settings, and you will teach yourself the art. You can do this on most small digital cameras as well.
SS: What does your travel schedule look like for the remainder of this year?
TS: It's always a surprise. I am leaving for Georgia for a week then heading to Nashville. July will bring Chicago and California. Then I'll be attending a debrief and conference called The Awakening (with the squad I led in January) in Dublin, Ireland. Our final debrief will be in November, so I'll return to Eastern Europe and finish the journey out with them at that time. I may also be going to Spain by the end of the year long term. Lots ahead, but I've become acclimated to a monthly change of country. For now, I'm so happy to be in the States for a while.
- Children in a feeding program in the Philippines
- Working with the "women of the night" in the Philippines (March 2010)
- Indian bride and a Nepalian groom in Malaysia.
- Little girl named Irish, an orphan in Dumaguete, Philippines
- Beautiful Mothers in Malawi (March 2009)
- Gypsy kids in Romania
- The "Go Go's" in Swaziland Swaziland
- In the Irrawaddy Delta (Southern Myanmar) after Cyclone Nargis (Novemeber 2008)
- Tara, whale watching in New Zealand
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 5/4/2010
Beauty For Ashes Gallery:
God gave me an opporunity to have a photo shoot with the "women of the night" during the "Beauty For Ashes" day in the Philippines in March. Team Radiance (6 girls on my squad) ministered to these women all month long. The photoshoot was something God gave to us. I desired to have a prop table and a royal purple background. Bec Connley added the cardboard words. Little did the women know they were stepping onto a phrophetic set. Given this opportunity made me come alive. This was just one part of the day that truly impacted 36 women. When they left the "Beauty For Ashes" day, they knew they were LOVED!
 They now shine.
This is Angie. She was once a "woman of the night" and now is sharing her testimony with those who have lost hope for themself. Her passion to LOVE these women is beyond anything I have ever witnessed. She was one of the main speakers. The women were speechless and gathered around her in tears. Healing came and the presence of His Spirit was so thick. Angie is truly a living testimony of death to life. She is REDEEMED!
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 4/21/2010
 BEAUTY FOR ASHES
it was a busy day in Bagiuo, Philippines. I was joined with an all girls team doing an outreach among the woman in prostition and victims of sex trafficking.
Bagiuo is a city of over 200,000 in a beautiful mountainous town set in Philippines. During the day, over 500,000 people come out. The city was orginally built for 25,000. So it is packed. It is also packed with disco clubs and massage shops. Most of these are filled with women waiting for their next customer to service.
The price for a girl ranges from $4 to $20 on average. If you want her for the night (bar fine) the price goes up. Which they still have to pay half to the bar.
My experience there was unforgettable. I met so many of the women and saw faces that were disatisfied and ready to escape. The team i was with hosted a day for the women. Name "Beauty For Ashes." This is my second program to be a part of called "Beauty For Ashes." Both different yet VERY POWERFUL.
I will be posting some more pics from the day. The Lord gave me a chair, props, a purple sheet and a team of ladies that have a heart for those who have lost hope for themselves. When they left, they knew they were loved.
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 4/4/2010
I am in the Jungle for the next week. I am with Krissy Whaley (the new squad leader) and team 12:18 and Malachi. Pray for the power of God to come and protection. AMEN! AHHHH He is alive. Txoxo
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 4/2/2010
We know pictures say a thousand words.
But it is not always the first picture but the one after you show them.
I have a theory.
Something happens when you show someone their picture. Especially those who may have never seen what they look like. A joy comes over them and maybe for the first time they believe they are beautiful. I have seen it time and time again. Here are just a few examples. I just simple take a picture and then show them. When they look at my camera, I quickly take another one. It is in that second picture the authenticty comes and JOY manifests itself. And in that moment they believe they are beautiful.
God continues to expand the way I think. His ways and thoughts are higher. His creation is beautiful.
We have seen ourself since we were young, yet they believe instantly. They are amazed! I am amazed.
Thank you God for showing me people that truly have simple joy. Simple beauty.
Be praying for transtion this month. Robby and I are raising up new squad leaders. It is time to empower. A new season for this whole squad. God wants to take them deeper and show himself even more. If God lays on your heart, I am still in need of support. Just click "Support me" at the top of this page. I will return mid May and fly out two more times for debriefs with this squad. Love you all. T
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 3/4/2010
 Dumaguete, Philippines March 2010 FEEL HOPE
 Working with: Internationl Care Ministry (ICM) Location: Dumaguete, Philippines for the month of March.
Focus: Eliminating poverty through simply thinking of the next generation.
They start with worms. By simply supplying worms, they produce a fertilizer that will help the poor to plant food that will grow. The worms will also increase providing another souces of income.
 HOPE HAS ARRIVED.ICM teams up with a local church. That church will provide worms and seeds to certain families. ICM staff will visit monthly and teach on Values, Health, and Livelihood (VHL) (a program called TRANSFORM). They also provide food in the meantime to each family apart of the Transform program. This program last around 6 months. It is one of many ICM are involed with.
Once the family starts to produce fertilizer, the seed is planted. Many of the poor in Philippines do not have space to plant. Here is one example of how they maximize their space. This corner is their "garden."
IT IS NOT JUST WORDS BUT ACTIONS. MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.
Many of these families might only make $80 a month. If that. This organization understands generations. They see the need now while providing a way the need can be met in generations to come. They do not force religion but LOVE first. Through their love, the poor come to see a God that is the author of provision and hope. This alone will set so many free from poverty and free in Christ. Practical yet powerfully supernatural. This is our God.
 FOR NEW CREATION.
Many families are able to grow tomatoes, egg plant, chilis, green beans etc. The seeds reproduce themselves. The worms reproduce themselves. It is an amazing cycle that is past on for a better future, income, and LIFE.
They are also involved with housing projects, preschools, tutoring mothers, orphanages etc.
They use the bottom of plastic coke bottle as a pot. It cuts down on ground space by hanging them. This way, more food is available to sell and eat.
CREATIVITY: DISARMING POVERTY
Why shall the poor remain poor? Those with resources and education have a responsibility. It is not for them to only use from themself but to think Kingdom minded. We are yet born into a certain situation by grace. In that portion of grace we must respond. It is by the Spirit of the Lord that we are annointed to bring the good news to the poor. Simple to us, life saving to them. Money, food, technology, creativity. Generations can be changed and people can finally see what it might look like to FEEL HOPE. The heartbeat of God is within us all.
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 2/21/2010
It was suppose to be Malaysia after Australia...but God has something different. A completely different nation.
Darwin, Australia------------Singapore------------Malaysia---------------Manila, Philippines.
I am on the third leg. We started at 3:30 PM on the 21st and will end at 3:00PM on the 22nd.
It is currently 4 PM in Malaysia. I can't go to sleep. I am on my 4th wind. The airport lights all around me are tricking me into thinking it is time to rise and shine. I pray for the shine part:) Another travel day on the World Race. Planes are the Taj Mahal compared to a bus with 40 people on a pot hole road in Africa. SO this is a glorious travel day.
DEBRIEF:
This will be the second debrief for Robby and I. The first one was right right at the beginning in New Zealand called "launch". Basically  the two of us leaders and David and Bernadette Fredriksz (the wise mom and dad of the squad) seek the Lord as to the direction of the debrief. We meet with each team (9 teams for a total of 57 people), preach, teach, love, worship, hang out one-on-one....it is quite full. Almost evey hour of the day planned. It is a powerful time. A time when people are completely challenged, refreshed, renewed, called out, LOVED, encouraged and set free. Three days...God knows how to do a lot in 3 days. Pray for my squad...oh that they will come to see themselves as God sees them. Pray for His Spirit to guide us all and teach us. Pray for our coaches (the Fredriksz) with MIGHTY words of wisdom and knowledge. Pray for Robby and I to prophecy WITH boldness. Holing nothing back. To annoint our words when we teach. Above pic: THE DREAM TEAM!
I can't wait to tell you more about this time....but debrief is HUGE and I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. oh and please pray for some refreshment over us too. I pray that God's love will seep thicker into your hearts. That is where all things come together. Love to you.
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Posted in General Articles by Tara Stephenson on 2/16/2010
The rains dropped down. The oceans crashed out from the clouds. It was the second night at the Call 2 All Conference in Tauranga, New Zealand. All 2,000 of us dashed into the gymnasium in expectation for the Lord’s presence.
The word of the Lord was upon our lips. Our group of 25 were ready to experience God in a deep way and speak, if necessary. He wanted to get intimate with EVERYONE. The night before was an experience from months and months of prep and prayer. The Tauranga leadership wanted to host this conference to not just send a shock wave throughout New Zealand but to send a wave to the rest of the world. It was focused to rally this generation to be sent out and to listen to where God is saying GO! It was all about empowerment. To accompany the event were many speakers, the Maori tribe , over 40 nations and the world’s largest map.
SO there I was in the gym. Ready. God had spoken to me the night before about becoming more and more undignified for Him. He said that it was one of the keys for this generation to get over the people pleasing and worrying what others thought. Even what we thought about ourselves. It was David that said “I will become even more humiliated in my own eyes.” This man was part of the Maori tribe at the conference.
Undignified I became. Danced and danced. For Him…and not for others. People were being set free in their attempts to break the resistance that so holds them back from freedom. It was becoming  undignified that it broke my own yoke. There were some spectators but God is teaching me that the multitudes are crying out for someone to be free so they can feel free to be free. They are crying out for someone to say something so they won’t remain in their silence any longer. God has called me to dance and to speak. Even in silence and stillness I hear Him directing me.
I am not dictated by feeling. Even when they prayed for the FIRE of God to come down over that place, I didn’t FEEL fire but I chose not to stand paralyzed wondering why. I chose to be used knowing God wanted me to experience Him in another way. So I moved all night. Like a chess piece. Undignified and without relent knowing that I am yet an instrument of God. A chess piece on the move with a mission. Not waiting for feeling to fill me up but believe and speak…even despite all clarity. It was that night that God used me to help break addictions from people, pray for eyes to be healed, bless generations through a pastor and his wife and talk to a girl that was so lost in her understanding of God.
God is so gracious. I am willing. There are NO walls around my God. I will prophecy. I will love. And I will hope for His Kingdom culture everywhere. For the Kingdom of God is AT HAND. We have a King now.
Thank you for your prayers. I need them.
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