Wow. Its insane to think that we are at the halfway point of the race. We just finished in Albania and are now in Romania! I am so excited to be here and to learn more about the country and the need here. But first I want to talk about why Albania was so challenging. I went through a lot of spiritual warfare and mental battles like never before. Satan had fed me so many lies about myself and my life. He attacked me when I was at my lowest, when I was sick and when our team was having difficulties. He knows exactly what to put into our thoughts to get us off track of building God’s Kingdom. Another hard trial in Albania was that we did not have a ton of ministry. This was super hard on my team mentally and it just felt like we were getting attacked left and right.
Nevertheless, within the last couple of weeks the Lord had been teaching me more on my gifting and showed me areas in my life in which I could grow. One thing I am trying to grow in is how to speak up for myself and use my voice in a way that is building the Kingdom up. If you know me, you know I can be a loud person in certain situations, however, when it comes to ministry and knowledge, I am usually never the first person to speak up and give an opinion. I LOVE one on ones with people, listening, giving advice, praying for another and being intentional in that way. Then put me in a group of 20 people and I am a-okay with being behind the scenes. In the past few weeks, I have felt the Lord calling me to not be afraid to speak and use my voice, though I am still learning how to do that in the most effective way. With that said something my supporters could be praying for is my boldness, confidence and more wisdom from the Lord.
RANDOM FUN FACT OF THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF
Miraculously, I have become a reader! Yes, you heard that right, me, Michaela, the one that never read instructions or directions to things because that was too much work is now obsessed with reading. The Lord has really shown me that miracles DO EXIST! LOL. But yes, it is true, not only has God created a new desire in me in wanting to read more and more scripture, He has also moved me to start reading more in general. If anyone has any book recommendations, specifically Christian (but I would love to hear any!) please let me know!! I would LOVE to add to my book list!! THANKSSS
Now let’s get back on track…
We have just gotten to that part of the race where the squad has started to think about what the plans look like for us individually when we get back to the states. I had been thinking about this for a few weeks and the Lord has continuously put on my heart the following: youth, mental health advocate, grad student, discipleship, counselor, coaching and ministry. I have no idea what his plans are for any of these words or what my day-to-day life is going to look like after the race. So, in the meantime, I want to continue to build God’s kingdom and glorify Him in whatever I do. Please pray that the Lord will bring me opportunities and that he will show me the steps I need to take before coming back. Whether that is applying to jobs, grad schools, building connections, etc. Please reach out if you want to throw around some ideas with me as well, I will never turn down support or advice!
Something encouraging through all of this, is the past week the Lord has given me so much peace in where I am today. He has constantly reminded me that he has a plan for me, as He does for all of us. That is something we can tend to forget when we try to control everything in our paths. I always have to re-surrender my life and my own plans to the Lord and give Him the control over my life. I suggest you do the same! Easier said than done of course, however God is way bigger than any of our own desires and I promise His plan for you is way better than any plan we could come up with ourselves.
MINISTRY!
I know I did not share a ton of detail on the race itself, I feel like I always end up talking about what is going on more in my spiritual and mental life then what I have been doing physically on the race. Although Albania was very hard and there was not much ministry, we did have some. I enjoyed getting to know our ministry host, who soon became more of a friend to me. As well as getting to connect with an incredible woman back in the states who is starting her own sponsorship program for the kids in Albania, which is super neat! We got to help her online with organizing and creating what that will look like. Her goal is to get 200 Albanian kids sponsored by people just like you! If you want to help with that program or learn more about her vision, send me a message and I will connect with you!
WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE RACE LOOK LIKE???
Great question. I wish I could tell you! I guess the Lord really wants our squad to be present in each country!! The only thing I can tell you is that we are hoping to go to one more European country after Romania. Then we are still planning on going to Africa for the remainder of the race. So please continue to pray for our route and where God wants to lead us for the next half of this race!
Thank you so much for your continuous prayers and I apologize for the lack of updates. I am going to try my best to do more this month. Please do not hesitate to contact and reach out, like I said I love one on ones!! Even if its through a cellphone over 5000 miles away! I will try to make it work ??
Want to donate?
To every supporter who has donated, I just want to give a HUGE THANKS again and say just how much it means to me. It has helped me out tremendously, anytime I have been struggling financially the Lord has brought some type of income from my supporters. It means the world to me to have such an incredible support system back home, not just financially, but as well as prayer and community. You guys are TRULY the best of the BEST!
Donations can be sent to me on Venmo: @Michaela-Roys or Cashapp: $MichaelaRoys
LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES,
Michaela
Matthew 7:7-8, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 9:23-24, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
After reading the words God put on your heart and that you are looking for book recommendations, I recommend:
Soul Healing by Tammy Smith. There’s also a video curriculum which I enjoyed actually more than the book.
Amber recently recommended:
A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
I have been enjoying it. As long as you remember it is fiction, but is based on the Biblical accounts. It has helped me to think more deeply about the Scripture passages it is based on.
Ah perfect! I will definitely look into these! Thank you! I have heard alot about Francine Rivers!
Michaela, I am so proud of your perseverance and your faith through the struggles. And I am confident that you will continue to grow in confidence, stepping into all the areas God has personally gifted you. I’m praying He opens your eyes to opportunities (big and small) that come your way, and to your unique role in His Kingdom. You are so loved!
Love reading these updates; thanks for sharing! When you have a second, can you send me the information on the sponsorship program for the children?
Although I’m a month late, this is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing the hard parts and how the Lord brought you through them and is now giving you eyes to see the light. Now, I know who to go to for one-on-one’s, prayer, and encouragement 🙂 Excited to get to know you and see your heart more in the coming months!
Let’s see… learning to recognize the enemy’s strategies, persevering when things got hard, being content living in the present, desiring to read more and more scripture, trusting God with your future. WOW! I think it’s safe to say the Lord is transforming you as He promised He would.