It feels like I just got home from the Race and now I look forward to launching once again in 6 short weeks. I still have the same awful bathing suit tan line from month 11 of my Race if that’s any indication to how condense this time period has been.
I just got back from two weeks of intense training, going from 7am to some times 9:30pm every single day. The fourteen-hour days were emotionally, spiritually and physically draining. Yet I loved every second of it and still had my cup filled every day from people around me.
I got to embrace 36 new Racers who were all wide-eyed and oozing with excitement of the unknown. These are the beautiful souls that I will be discipling and ministering alongside during this journey as an Alumni Squad Leader (ASQL).
Freedom Fighters.
That’s what was spoken over us and that’s what we call ourselves.
First I saw them fight for their freedom. To win freedom implies that there was a battle to be won. Freedom means taking action. In society we accept that life just happens to us. We’re complacent to be trapped by our past, our wounds, our bitterness or something you never even realized you were still holding on to.
Freedom comes when we consciously go out for battle, willing to face the enemy and his subtle (or not so subtle) oppression.
I saw P-squad face their inner fears head on and as a result, the beautiful fruit of freedom was produced.
Freedom
Freedom from pornography.
Freedom from sexual abuse.
Freedom from addictions.
Freedom from depression.
Freedom from anxiety.
Freedom from eating disorders.
Freedom from the enemy’s lies of being worthless and useless.
But this Freedom came at a cost. The cost is Christ. To gain freedom they had to deal with the heart-wrenching pain that came with the lies. If we don’t acknowledge the lies then how can God call out the truth?
There were many tears, there were stories and memories and nightmares that were brought to the surface and dealt with head on. They persevered through that though until they could taste true, real, whole freedom that is only found in Christ. We are body, mind and spirit.
If you are not free spiritually then you cannot offer spiritual freedom to others, it’s that simple.
Now P-squad is filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s story is one of redemption/reconciliation and they are ready to share how God moved in their life with the rest of the world.
They have taught me that vulnerability equals freedom which equals power in Christ.
Vulnerability is POWER
I could not be more excited to lead this group of 36 Racers, disciple them and do ministry alongside them!
They fought for freedom at Training Camp, now they’re free to help others gain freedom once we get out on the field in 6 weeks!
My T-shirt sale ends September 1st if you would like to order a short or long-sleeve shirt to support my mission of discipleship and ministry abroad.
https://www.customink.com/fundraising/send-erica-overseas
We are so lucky the Lord chose you and Brit to be our fearless leaders! Cannot WAIT for this adventure to start!!!
who am I, that God would give someone like you, to me, for my benefit and his glory? I am so blessed to be lead by you! This got me pumped all over again. Freedom Fighters forevaaaa
we initially met a year ago as we launched you on your own adventure and I’ve watched you grow in wisdom and truth since then. What a blessing it has been! I know you will be a blessing to those around you on this trip and again we send you out with much love and prayers. Grace & Peace.