Hello Everyone!!
I have some exciting news to share…
We got our specific ministry placements in Guatemala!!!
Before I go into the ministry details, I’ve been wanting to write an update to share with you how the last couple of weeks have been here at training camp in Gainesville, GA!
Training Camp!
As for living conditions, we have been: sleeping in tents, warding off MANY bugs, taking bucket showers, using porta potties, eating a variety of cultural meals, throwing items away that have either been soaked by the rain or have gotten moldy from leaking tents (thankfully, my things have not been moldy but, sadly, for many of my teammates that is not the case), hand washing/line drying our clothes, running from torrential downpours and soaking in the sun on beautiful days, and smelling not so great as stinky clothes remain in our tents most days… 
As for the Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical aspects, we have been having: daily personal time with Jesus, breakfast as a whole squad, worship, many teachings (such as: What is Truth?, The Mission Mandate, Who is God?, The Gospel, Identity, Life is Ministry & Ministry is Life, Forgiveness, Intimacy: Seeking the Lord, Culture & The Gospel, etc.), time for our squad to grow in intimacy with each other & put into practice what we’ve been learning, many more teachings, personal time (typically used to take bucket showers, do laundry, rest, build relationships, spend more time with God, meetings with mentor and coaches, etc.), squad meetings, and team bonding.
This past week, we were required to do a 2 mile hike with our packs on in 35 minutes or less. It was a little bit of a struggle, as my bag wasn’t sitting correctly on my back, BUT GOD. He got all of us through! Each team had to run/walk in order to meet the time requirements but at the very end, most of us jumped into the brown lake with our hiking clothes on, and that was one of the most refreshing feelings EVER!
Spiritual Preparation
Throughout the last couple weeks, it has become very apparent that the road ahead is going to be challenging and yet also rewarding. Three phases of this journey are expected for every World Racer: Abandonment, Brokenness, and Dependence on the Lord. Each racer will experience these stages at different phases of their journey with the Lord this year. I have been pressing into God, allowing Him to strip me of everything that I have been depending on that has not been Him, learning to truly depend on Him for my life and also the road ahead.
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The last couple weeks, I have seen God move and speak. He had spoken to one of my coaches (Matt) about one of my heart’s greatest struggles and I had barely even introduced myself to him. God also used another racer to confirm the Lord’s voice during worship as we both received the same message from God at the same time! These things have been happening left and right for people at training camp… AND IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING!!!
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There have definitely been highs and lows of training camp as I am allowing God to show me the ugliness of my sin and therefore, the greatness of His mercy and grace. It’s also been an adjustment to be in constant community and for all of us to find our place in this “new” family that we’ve formed. God is good through it all! He has taught me a lot and has made me realize that when we truly live in community as Jesus intended (Acts 2:42-47), we begin to be molded into people more like Jesus. It’s a beautiful thing.
Ministry in Guatemala
We leave for the airport Sunday night (9/11) and will fly out to Guatemala on Monday (9/12). At that point, I will part ways with much of my squad (P-Squad) but we will reunite in a couple of months when we all debrief our first ministry experiences in early November!
(Left to Right: Abigail, Ruthie, Victoria, Katherine (Me), Caroline)
As for day-to-day ministry, our leaders prayed and sought God, and these beautiful women are the ones I will be doing ministry with!! We are all excited for what God has in store for us and for His Kingdom in the coming weeks!!
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WE ALSO GOT OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS!!!
My team and I will be working with a ministry that focuses on bringing worship to various places in the community (i.e. coffee shops, parks, streets, conferences, etc.), Biblical training to perfect and grow spiritual gifts, and ministry to kids through sports and Bible teachings. The ministry is extensive and there is more that I will share as we begin doing ministry, but here was the quick overview!
How are you?
Please let me know how you are doing! I really miss each of you and want to stay up-to-date with your lives. I am praying for you and would love to know how to specifically pray for you in the coming days.
If you’d like to reach out to me overseas, feel free to search for me on facebook messenger or Whatsapp!
Prayer Requests
– Please pray that hearts would be softened and saved through the Good News of Jesus Christ as we do ministry in Guatemala!
– Traveling mercies as we travel on Sunday (9/11)/ Monday (9/12).
– That God would give my team and me the gift of being able to understand and speak Spanish to further His Kingdom in Guatemala.
– That my squadmates and leaders would be able to have an increase in people who would desire to give financially, prayerfully, and in other ways to support what God is doing through them.
Such a full and rich experience already! Can’t wait to see God’s plan unfold in Guatemala. Praying for safety, wisdom and good health ?? Love you??
Your prayers are of high value to me, mom!! I love you!!
Oh My! As reading & you sharing your updates, the ” Holy Spirit ” has overwhelmed & filled my heart & home! The Angels are singing & the Lord is overjoyed! I am so excited for you, always in my prayers ?? ??
So glad you got practical experiences during training. My trip will be “cushy” in comparison. This is missions month at our church and my heart is just brimming with joy over seeing what is being accomplished in the spiritual realm that we never hear about in the news. I’ll be sorry to miss the last 2 weeks of it, but in a small part, living it…
Thank you Annette!! You have no idea how special your comment is. So excited to see God show up too!
Phyllis, thank you. Praise the Lord for His goodness! I can’t wait till we meet Him face to face one day!!!
Aunt Carolyn, that is seriously awesome. I remember sitting in the Maple Tree Inn and talking about your potential missions ministry coming up. So crazy that it’s here for both of us! Thank you for all of your encouragement along the way. May God bless you, keep you, and guide you in all things and may hearts be softened to the Gospel of Christ!!
It’s so great to hear that everything went well at training camp. To be able to do a 2 mile hike less than half an hour is pretty wild (not to mention eating crickets), but Lord willing I knew you guys would be able to get the job done. I’ll be praying that these next few months in Guatemala that you and your team will not only be safe, but also to reach out to as many people as possible who haven’t heard of the Gospel.
In terms of myself, if you and your team could pray that I’ll be able to find a job soon that will allow me to go back to working during the day so I can be more involved at my church, and to eventually grow as a leader and mentor to others.
Verse of the Day:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121:1-2
P.S. Can’t wait to hear what life in Central America is like! Hopefully the rain down there won’t be as bad as they say! As the wise words of Forrest Gump once said, “One day it started Raining, and it didn’t quit for 4 months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stinging’ rain… and big ol’ fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath. Shoot, it even rained at night…”
Thanks for the update. You are in your travels as we type this. We just lifted you before our Father who smiles on you. What a life changing time this will be for you and the others. What an eternal change it’ll be for those you meet.
Can you share what financial needs you have here? Like dollar amounts. That may move people. Even mention for any fellow team members that God puts on your heart- you never know!
Blessings for your boldness, abandonment of things of this earth, heart for God and His Kingdom, and terrific attitude ( gratitude and gratefulness- we both write gratitudes daily as a spiritual discipline)!!! Be encouraged!!! Amazing!
So good to see your update Katherine! We are so excited for you and this journey you have embarked on! So blessed to read about how the Lord is moving already, molding you and transforming you. We continue to pray forHis anointing and provision and protection for you and the team. Bless you!
Katherine thank you for the postings – sounds like excellent preparation. Looking forward to hear more about how the Lord is working through you and your team. You are covered in prayer from GT; the Lord continue to bless, keep and anoint you. (Great to hear “worship” is a part of your mission.) 😉
Forgive my tardy response Katherine but wow, so good to Sure immerse myself in such an awesome recap of training camp, hearing how God moved in some very cool, providential, words of encouragement specifically connecting personally to you! I love you pulling all of your approximate 66 “one another’s “ in the New Testament together To journey along with you and to let you know their prayer requests and their journey with God.
Great stuff Katherine, so encouraged!
And yes 16 different people groups are mentioned in Acts chapter 2, Praying for the gift of tongues- Spanish for sure 🙂
Thanks for the update Katherine! I’m praying for you and your team as you settle into Guatemala and lean into all that God has for you there!
You always seem to weave in the perfect amount of truth and humor into a comment and it has brightened my day! I can definitely lift your prayer request up to the Lord. Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and Scripture; I will cling to those words from the Lord!
Russ, THANK YOU for your heart of prayer and generosity!! You and your wife have blessed my life tremendously. Your encouragement means so much to me. Everyday, I am desiring less of myself and more of Jesus. Praise God for His goodness and the way He sustains me in all circumstances. To answer your gracious and considerate question of who is still fundraising, here are the hyperlinks to their WR blog sites! Feel free to follow them as well, as they have AMAZING stories about God! THANK YOU!!
SARAH ($1,854) – https://sarahdodd.theworldrace.org
CHEEKA ($2,863) – https://cheekavang.theworldrace.org
MORGAN ($3,831) -https://morganmaple.theworldrace.org
JOANA ($3,519) – https://joanaquintana.theworldrace.org
LEXY ($6,990) – https://lexydonath.theworldrace.org
JAKSON ($5,268) – https://jaksonmcdaniel.theworldrace.org
JILLISA ($6,919) – https://jillisagary.theworldrace.org
ABIGAIL ($7,489) – https://abbygawinski.theworldrace.org
ELIJAH ($6,365) – https://elijahpequeno.theworldrace.org
RUTHIE ($4,700) – https://ruthiegenson.theworldrace.org
TRIS ($1,600) – https://trisamoser.theworldrace.org
SAMANTHA ($1,650) – https://samantharouse.theworldrace.org
AARON ($4,450)- https://aaronmoore.theworldrace.org
Katherine! I am so encouraged by you and by your heart. I adore your selfless leadership and how you kindly encourage and guide. I love your heart for the Lord and the tender season you are walking into with Him. I’m really just so thankful to know you and to get to walk with you sister. God speed in Guatemala!
It is SO great to hear from you, Lisa! I was just praying for you and Pastor. Eric and I know God is moving in Rochester as He moves here. I am so excited to share testimonies once we are reunited in person! Miss you!
God has been moving even before we arrived here, and I anticipate even more of His guidance and grace on our ministry here in Guatemala!
I miss my GTC family! I was able to watch part of the balloon release the other day and it made my heart so happy. God is moving across this globe and I am honored to be connected with GTC, as you seek to spread Jesus in Rochester. Can’t wait to update you on more as we continue ministry!
Matt, what an encouragement you are to my heart!! I love that you and Kathy are coming along of us on this journey. You both inspire my relationship with Christ and keep me focused on the straight and narrow path that at times, can be difficult but MAN, what an eternal reward it will reap in due time!! Thank you for being used by the Lord!
Kristen, what a blessing you are! Thank you for your prayer coverage- I know the Lord will bless you for your heart of love for us all!
Lindsey, you have set an example to me of what true and solid leadership looks like. Thank you for heart of sacrifice and love, for it is plainly seen as you have allowed God to use you in every area over the last several weeks. You bless my heart, THANK YOU!
Wow! I hope composing this didn’t take too much of your time…and I declare, the God of the heavens, my God, can meet all these needs!
I might encourage you to share this in a newsletter as some supporting you may wish to support them as well
Blessings to you!!
That is a really great idea! Thank you for that suggestion, I may very well do that!!
“..allowing God to show me the ugliness of my sin and therefore, the greatness of His mercy and grace.” this is so good. Excited to see how you walk in more awareness of His unconditional love and into the gifting the Lord has given you to love and serve others and be His hands and feet!
I am blessed to walk with you in this season!
Love you Katerinaaaa monkey
I love you Raquel mono!! You bring so much sunshine to my life, thank you for selflessly leading. Love you, amiga y hermana!
Won’t He do it! Excited to see how the Lord continues to speak in and through you this season…on Who Wants to Know the Lord 😉
Hi Katherine! It is so amazing to see the work that God is doing in your life! I will continue to pray for you! At this point in my life I am seriously pressing into what God would have me to do being a senior in high school! I so badly want to get into missions and do what you’re doing. I always wanted to get rid of myself and let God use me in more powerful ways than I could imagine! It is so encouraging to see how God is using you! I really hope I can join you some day! I love you in Christ and miss you!
Thankful for you, Samantha
AHH Lorraine! This message brings me so much JOY! You are such a willing vessel to be used by the Lord and I know He will use you in mighty ways. I am praying for you right now to give you direction on the next steps!
As you continue to ask the Lord, know that His still small voice will guide you. When praying for you, I am reminded of Mary and Martha. Your heart posture reminds me of Mary, the sister of Lazarus. You desire to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him. Continue to do that and He will reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to you! Miss you sister
Thank you for the updates and sharing your training in FL! Wow, you have experienced a lot already! Praying for you as the journey continues on to Guatemala! So excited to see what God has planned for you!