At the beginning of our World Race trip while in Atlanta, our mobilizer Austin gave us each a necklace with a key that was engraved with a different word for each person. He prayed over each key with that person in mind to decipher what word the Lord was calling him to engrave on the key. My word was...drumroll please…

CONFIDENCE. 

      Honestly, initially I was a tad bit insulted that my word was confidence. I inferred that meant that I lacked confidence and therefore needed to improve in this area. However, I believe that the key describes something that you already have in you but that the Lord wants to grow you in even more in this season.
      It's hard to measure confidence outright. It's not something you notice in the little moments but only later, when reflecting, can you see the growth. Initially, in Cotê D'Ivoire, we were not allowed to wear the key necklace as it could be misconstrued as a charm and would hinder our ministry. Since in Ghana, however, I have worn my key necklace almost everyday. And this has caused me to identify more with my word and to ruminate on how I'm developing in confidence.
      Overall, I am more comfortable with evangelizing, performing skits, working with children's and women's ministries, and preaching. I had never really evangelized and certainly never preached before the World Race. Amazingly, I wasn't nervous either time I preached, and all the credit goes to the Lord for this. My hosts even started calling me “Pastor Raina,” which was very gracious of them ;) Similarly, I had to freestyle rap to represent my team with no notice while on the bus to Sunyani, Ghana to compete in the skit competition tie breaker. I've never really rapped but I had fun and ended up winning. I'm also becoming more attuned to the Lord’s voice and have been practicing waiting to hear His response during prayers. And His faithfulness to answer me back has bolstered my confidence in my ability to discern His voice, one of my primary goals this year. I'm praying more boldly and fervently. I'm learning how to talk with Muslims and tell them about Jesus.
       So, yes, I am becoming more confident in multiple areas and the Lord has been faithful to speak this word over me and grow me in it, for His glory. I am even singing the lead part in a song for the youth service this week and I've never been on a worship team before. I'm learning to continually step (or often be pushed) out of my comfort zone. For that is where the change occurs and where the Lord does His best work. Treading in unfamiliar waters requires faith and faith precedes the miracle. So, here's to continuing to grow in confidence this year: to stepping out in boldness for the gospel, putting on love instead of fear, and being willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads.

Love y'all!! Keep the prayers coming! The Lord’s blowing my mind :)

Shoutout to my amazing fun-loving friends Alex and Jess who continually push me to live life to the fullest and embrace my adventurous side - thanks for the memories <3