Sitting between Josue, a math teacher from French-speaking Africa, Hengi-Hengi, from the far off Island of Tonga, and Trista, a student from Taiwan, I worshipped with tears in my eyes.
Among 48 people from 20 different countries, we were led in song by a German, an Indonesian, a Malaysian and a Kenyan. As I looked around the room, I thought of Romans 10:14-15, which says “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
And the Lord whispered to my heart, “Rachel, look! These ones. They have beautiful feet. And they will change the world!”
In that moment, and many other times throughout the 8 week Global Student Program (GSP), I would catch glimpses of God’s heart for people, glimpses of how Revelation 5:9 could become a reality, glimpses into God’s perfect plan for the nations to be redeemed. I was sitting among the messengers of this generation that would take the hope of Christ globally.
Coming from very different backgrounds, languages, countries and cultures, these participants took great risks to travel oceans and continents away to spend their summer in Colorado. The one thing they had in common? Being touched by the Gospel of Jesus through the Navigators among them in their home countries. The reason they took great risks and left comfort zones to come to GSP? To be “sent ones.”
During the summer, we experienced a lot of firsts: riding rollercoasters, trying s’mores, using washing machines, hiking mountains, seeing rattlesnakes, learning languages, visiting Walmart, and even riding a yellow school bus!
But the real focus and purpose of the GSP program was to encourage, equip and train laborers to be sent into the harvest field. Throughout our time, we learned from different speakers how to live out of the Gospel and think about the world in light of Jesus’ plan. Each student was individually discipled and given tools to help them invest in the next generation of laborers. We grew and practiced how to converse about the Gospel with people who aren’t Christians. We volunteered at Glen Eyrie and developed character and servanthood. We spent hours studying 1 Peter together and praying that Jesus’ name would be known through our witness in all continents.
These beautiful feet, now equipped, trained, and ready have since left Colorado Springs. But, the effects of these 8 weeks has potential for impact across the globe!
Before leaving, Tereza from the Czech Republic reminded me, “This is not the end. This is only the beginning!” And she is right! Those 96 beautiful feet are now spreading hope in places like Tanzania, Brazil, East Asia, Canada, Latvia, and Australia, for the glory and praise of Jesus.
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