Hey family!
I hope you’re all doing well! These past couple months have been intense to say the least, and it is my prayer that we have all been going deeper in the Lord, and allowing Him to mold and stretch us as He sees fit.
If you don’t know.. The Lord called me to Circuit Riders! Circuit Riders is A YWAM based missions school where there is 3 months of discipleship training school and then 2 and a half months of outreach. I am currently in Huntington beach for Discipleship Training School (DTS) or in other words, ‘Die To Self School’ on September 26th and If I am bring completely honest, I truly felt the weight of this transition. However, I know that with everything that has been going on as of lately, and just in prayer the Lord has really been sharing His heart in regards to the lost and I know that just like Esther, we are being sent out for a time such as this! The harvest is indeed plentiful, and the labourers are few, but by His goodness, I get the opportunity to take part in something so special with the Circuit Riders. Praise God for all of the pruning, refinement and chastisement. Although it has been tough, it has been so worth it!
Even though I have only been in California for just over a week the Lord has already been showing up in so many ways! There is definitely a supernatural grace that we all have felt (there are over 150 students in the fall session) and we have already seen God showing up and showing out! So far we have seen healings, salvations and the presence of God has just come and wrecked us again and again. In the midst of preparing for outreach which will take place in the new year.. we have seen the Lord come and move upon the hungry. We are still waiting on our outreach teams and schedules but I will be placed in one of the following places: Europe, USA, Canada, Philippines, or Mexico.
This week’s theme in class has revolved around culture, and how we as the body of Christ are called to be counter-cultural. We went through lessons about forgiveness, offence, faith and more in which we have already been able to practically apply in our lives. Evangelism and testimony training have been so beneficial as well in order to learn how to steward our story and our voice all for the glory of God! We also had the annual CRX games which honestly was such a fun time of fellowship. Each house was given a color in which we had to determine an outfit, costume, or character that embodied the given color. Our house was given the color orange and so we chose to be Lorax’s lol.
In all honesty, the Lord has been redeeming so much in my life and I truly feel like He has given me back so much of my childhood joy, wonder and awe. Being in a house of 23 women has had its challenges, but ultimately it has really taught me so much about sisterhood and how much women need eachother! I have been filled with so much gratitude!
My schedule is quite hectic as some days I will be busy from 10am-9pm with classes, evangelism outreach on campuses, and prayer room.. but I am so extremely honoured and blessed to have been given a season where I can just solely focus on the Lord in the midst of community.
There are many different tracks, such as Carry the Love, which revolves around campus ministry as our heart is to spread the gospel to the lost, and revive a generation to burn for Jesus! There are also Jesus clubs in which the high school audience is more so targeted, along with our Black Voices track which aim to reach people of color and encourage them to use their voice to spread the good news.
Already, I have personally seen the Lord provide in the most beautiful yet simple ways. The Lord had told me not to bring my car as a means of dying even more to myself because I know and of course the Lord knows that my car would be an easy escape for me when/if I feel overwhelmed. I currently live in a house with 24 women of God and I also have 5 roommates and if I am being honest, I am a homebody that likes to stay to myself lol. That being said, I was kind of nervous about social interaction, as well as even just like transportation having a house with so many people.. but literally by God’s grace we have 5 cars which is just enough plus 2 spots for everyone in the house to get rides to and from school and evangelism spots!! Not to mention, I have been stretched living in a house with so many women, and sharpened in so many ways as their hunger for the Lord drives me to go deeper! The Lord in His sovereignty also happened to place me in a home with the most amazing women ever!
I just wanted to give a quick update, and give a huge thank you to everyone that has been praying for me, and sowing financially.. Most of all, I am so grateful unto Jesus for just opening this door and am so excited to see all that He does whether it be salvations, signs, miracles and wonders all for the glory of His name!
Also, due to the fact that my schedule is insanely packed.. you may not see me as much on the platforms, and while the Lord has told me to continue to steward the social media accounts, I will be placing my main focus on Him and school in this season to prepare for outreach in the new year!
*quick side note: for those that have been asking how they can partner monthly with the ministry, I finally updated the donations page on the website in which you can become a partner via the donations page!
I love you guys and can’t wait to testify even more about the goodness of the Lord!
Love y’all! Talk soon!
Yours in Christ,
Rachael Niles
