SHOUT TO THE LORD!!! GIVE HIM PRAISE! The blog sites are back up and running and we can finally begin to post again. I’m excited to fill you in on what the Lord has been doing in & through P-Squad over the last two months. Let’s get you caught up!
We have finished our time in Romania and have begun life and ministry in Albania. It has been a whirlwind. I’m so excited to share with you some of the stories about what the Lord has done during our time in Romania and now Albania. First, I’d like to tell you about our very first squad debrief and training week. Though it feels like forever ago, it’s important that I share some of the things that Jesus has taught me and give you a glimpse of what a squad debrief/training looks like!
We traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, from Chimachoy, Guatemala on the 3rd of November and began our debrief on Saturday the 5th. We had debrief for one week and had training for the second week. We flew out of Guatemala on the 17th and arrived in Craiova, Romania on November 18th.
D E B R I E F :
The purpose of Debrief was to process all that happened in ministry, in our teams, and in our hearts during our time in Guatemala. Before we arrived, my team, 247, discussed our desire to stay unified as a team and fight for time together even during a time of all-squad living. Over the past two months, 247 has bonded so much. We have had many conversations about unity and intimacy and have worked hard to fight for those values in our team family. Throughout debrief, we had multiple ‘team times’ and it was so sweet to process what was on our hearts together.
On the first night of debrief, we worshipped the Lord and spent time in prayer. That night, our leaders washed our feet. I’m so humbled to get to follow them. Lindsey, our squad mentor, washed my feet and prayed over me. A lot of what she prayed was either confirmation about something the Lord had been stirring in me, or prophetic of some things that the Lord would reveal to me in the next few weeks. I often return to the journal entry I wrote afterwards to see how the Holy Spirit has worked through those things. One thing in particular was the phrase ‘fast track’. A few months ago, I met the mom of a friend from Liberty University. She gave me a word from the Lord: my walk with him would feel like a locomotive that is slowly leaving the train station. It would feel slow, sometimes painfully so, but before I knew it, the train would take off like a train on the high-speed rails. I would be on a fast track. So there I was, after two months of life on the field, reminded of the word that I had (quite honestly!) forgotten about. This was confirmed again when someone, who doesn’t know me or that story, used the same phrase when praying over me. Thank you, Jesus, for growth. I’m celebrating that my Father in heaven wants me to look just like him, what a dad!!! And he’s doing it in perfect timing. Truthfully, there are days I feel the whiplash of the fast track, but the only response that feels fitting is to bow low at the feet of my King in gratitude for what he’s doing in my heart.
During Debrief, we had a team debrief with Lindsey and our alumni squad leaders. The team debrief was helpful to talk as a group about what had been hard, what had been good, some fun memories, and some hopes for the future of team 247. We left feeling unified and full of thankfulness for each member of the team. The rest of debrief primarily consisted of individual processing and one-on-ones with alumni SQL’s, Lindsey, and our coaches, Matt and Kathy. We were challenged and spurred on by sessions each night. We celebrated testimonies of what the Lord had done in each team and in the roles we’ve all played on the squad. It was a sweet week of reflection and allowed us so much time to sit with the Lord and spend quality time as a squad. To end debrief week, we hiked the volcano Acatenango. It was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, and the summit was breathtaking, but the best part was the process. It was so special to see my squadmates serve, encourage, and celebrate each other all the way up and down the volcano.
T R A I N I N G :
Training week was amazing. After two months of experiencing a variety of new, unfamiliar things on the field, our leaders decided to spend time talking about different topics. We talked about Sabbath, ministering to Muslims (thanks AIM Guate staff!), and identity. We spent a whole day sitting under the teaching of Lindsey, discussing topics about the Holy Spirit: gifts of the Spirit, baptism of the Spirit, spiritual warfare, etc. It was helpful, thought-provoking, and life-giving. I want to live in the fullness of what the Lord offers me. So, I’m grateful for conversations that invite us deeper into the abundant life we can live. YES LORD! If any of those topics are new to you, interest you, or make you uncomfortable, let’s talk!! I’m learning so much and would love to sit down (Facetime! Email! Voice memo!) with the Word of God open on the table in front of us and talk about these things! Let’s seek the heart of God together!
Debrief and training were pivotal weeks for our squad. We made memories, recharged, and vision casted for Romania. It encouraged and challenged me to dive deeper in my relationship with Jesus. It spurred me on to meet God in ways I’ve never met him before. The more I learn about him, the more I fall in love with him, and the more I realize he’s better than I thought. Thank you, Jesus!!!
I love you! Please feel free to send me your updates. I’d love to hear from you. Again, I apologize that the blogsite has not allowed me to post a blog recently. I’ll be posting a few blogs in the next week or two to get you caught up on what’s going on here in Albania! There’s so much to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
You matter to God, so you matter to me,
Kara Grace Perrault <3
p.s. be sure to follow my instagram/facebook stories for a weekly photo update called SABBATH RECAP!
