Testimonies
One of my biggest take-aways from the week was the realization that somewhere along the chaos of the compound losses that I’ve experienced there from 2017-today, the question of ‘Is Jesus really enough for all the pain in the world?
Is what He did really enough to cover the brokenness in that Central Asian nation?’ had taken root in my heart.
During a reflection time I was struck anew.
Yes, He really HAS experienced all the pain imaginable on our behalf. What has happened to my friends in Central Asia, around the world in war-torn nations, and in our own day-to-day lives is not unknown or unseen by Him.
Wow! What beautiful promises and truths to cling to. Yes, the finished work on the cross really IS enough to heal the pain and the brokenness in the world. Regardless of how terrible the circumstance were or are, there IS HOPE in the redemption of Christ.
A worker in Central Asia
During the week of debrief in Colorado Springs, each day, we unpacked a new layer of impact from my years in Central Asia. It was so helpful to have tools and support to look back over difficult circumstances from the last seven years. It has brought necessary closure, as well as a renewed and right perspective to look at past challenges with His lens of Truth.
A worker in Central Asia
My Exchange at the Cross debrief really hit the mark it needed to. I was a bit skeptical of what could come from just a week, but maybe that was the best part - we set expectations from the beginning. And for me I, realized that all I really wanted from that time was for it to be a launching into a more intentional season of healing. And that's just what it was! A really safe place to share my story in multiple formats that allowed new things to come to light that I'd never really strung together before. I was really grateful for the sensitivity and structure provided. I really felt gently led through a process that had a purpose all along. And the other incredible part to me was the last day. I was given time alone for as long as I needed to meet with Jesus and even though I normally have lots of opportunity to be alone with Him, after a week in a place that had become safe and where I'd vulnerably shared, it was a gift to be left alone there. To have a sense of closure (or launching into the next) with no time constraints and no watchful eyes or ears. Just a private space and time with the Father at the end. That's when even more emotions hit, and I was able to really talk with the Lord about what had been coming up. It was all so needed and essential to the journey I was walking through.
A worker from South Asia
In the middle of October, I was given an incredibly valuable gift— a week of intensive Le Rucher-style debrief. I cried several quarts as I unpacked the last five years of life in ministry and released them to Jesus. I asked him to help me forgive the wounds that had been inflicted. Weight began to fall off my heart, and I slept better. Three months later, I am amazed at what the Holy Spirit did to bring peace back to me, and I feel God waking me up from a time of withdrawal and energizing me for a new challenge.
A ministry leader in the States
I was privileged to have the opportunity of a one week debrief in Colorado Springs in the Spring of 2018. I was entering a sabbatical year and I knew that after the sabbatical was over I would be transitioning into a very new season. The timing was perfect and after seven years serving with my mission organization, I knew that there was much to let the light of God shine upon. My intent was to enter into my sabbatical as free and undistracted as possible, so that I could focus on God's delight for me and begin receiving renewal for the seasons that are yet to come. The debrief was just this gift. Those who debriefed me led me through my previous years, significant life and ministry changes and ministered as the Holy Spirit was guiding. They listened attentively, asked meaningful questions and helped me walk through some painful realities in order to embrace Jesus' peace and hope. The week spent with Springs of Restoration was a source of God's healing and clarity for my life. It was the wisdom of God for me to invest this time into looking back and looking up before looking forward.
A ministry leader in the States