Hey everyone!

Wow, time flew by. How is it that 9 months ago I was meeting my best friends for the first time? 9 months ago, D squad became brothers and sisters that I longed for yet didn’t know I needed. All 36 of them now hold a special piece of my heart.

My life has been forever changed by the Lord and what He’s done in and through the people around me. Every season had a song and one major lesson, with so many smaller ones.

He showed me who He is. He taught me to see Him as my ABBA and my Groom. He made me to fall madly in love with the man Jesus, everyday. He showed me that He is my home - wherever I go. He taught me that repentance isn’t scary and He showed me what a gift intercession is. He taught me not to be afraid of the wrestle. He showed me that emotions can be healthy and it’s okay to have them. He led me in honesty and taught me the importance of communication. He set me free and broke chains I was living in. He gave me a heart for the hijab and opened my eyes to the brokenness He wants to restore, all around the world. He made me to love the simple moments and to appreciate the quiet ones. He taught me to see His beauty. He made me hungry for more and thirsty for a drink. He spoke the truth of my identity into me, and there’s no going back.

Sometimes life felt mundane, and sometimes it felt pretty big. Everyday, however, I was so comfortable in the discomfort. It was natural to live the way we did and what a blessing it was to be poured into and spurred on in the faith, everyday.

He led me to read through the whole Bible during my time in Honduras, and man, it’s incredible!! The whole thing is a love story. It’s the story of a faithful Groom in pursuit of His pure Bride. Every page of the  Bible ascribes worth to the Father because he is WORTHY.

🙌

Here I am, 9 months later, sitting in the driveway to my house it the little town of Easton, MD. I flew home just a couple of days ago and have spent this time resting and reflecting on what the Lord has done. I’ve spent a lot of this time processing and missing the people I left - all over the states, and even all over the world.

I’m so grateful to be back, however, for a season of rest that the Lord is walking me into. What a blessing it is to have this time of new connections, old relationships, and the same faithful God.

There are many things that happened and people we met and things we saw and experiences we walked through. If I were to write them all down here, this blog would be very long. Many of these things I’ve chosen to hide in my heart, much like Mary. However, if you’d like to hear more about the way I got to walk the last 9 months, and what the Lord has been doing in my life and across the nations He created, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I would love to grab coffee and chat, for God is GOOD. My number is 410-253-7693:)

And, wow, thank you so much for coming along this journey with me. Thank you for sitting in eager expectation of what the Lord is doing. Thank you for being my family, and cheering on a sister who is miles away. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Thank you for sending me. Thank you for equipping me with everything I needed to go and be His hand and His feet in the nations. He used you and I am forever grateful.

I now know what it is to sit in the Secret Place with the Lord, and that has changed everything for me, so THANK YOU for sending me.

With all of this being said, the Lord has been stirring in my heart for more. He has asked me to go back, so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m so grateful and beyond excited to step back into such an on fire community for Christ. In August, I will launch, once again. This time, however, I’ll be a leader of the trip:) My 6 leaders impacted my life more than they’ll know, and I can’t wait to be there for those around me, ushering my squad into a space of worship! I’m not sure where I’ll be going yet, but it’ll be 3 countries and 3 months long. I’ve already seen the Lord come in and bless this, so I’m excited to see how He continues to move - for I know He will!

I will ask that you guys join me in prayer for this and for my squad! I already have such a heart for the new people the Lord is bringing me to love, but I want even more of a capacity! Would you join me in praying that we would be a squad who walks in intimacy with the Father and one who is madly in love with the Man Jesus?

If you feel led to partner financially, first, I want to say thank you. I couldn’t go without you, and I can’t imagine not going! The cost of this 3 month trip is $1,800, and I would like to be fully funded before I leave on August 20th.

Here is the link to my fundraising page: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/fall-semesters-sql/participants/marissa-nappier

Truly, I hope to connect with each of you and I’m praying that each person reading this feels a touch from the Father - He loves you!!

Also, here’s a sweet little goodbye letter to my squad…🫶

The day our group chap blew up was the day our family started. 37 different people with 37 different personalities, carrying way more than 37 emotions. We all came together as one body. We laughed together. We cried together. We screamed and shouted and danced and sang and hiked and ate and slept and breathed altogether at the same time, everyday.

Every day with you guys has been a blessing more than you know. Every kind word spoken, wisdom shared and hug given made me feel seen and made me to know the love of the Father is such a tender way.

All the flower picking, the banana bread baking, the coffee runs, the chicken bus rides, the giant group hugs as we tried not to fall out of the back of the truck, the late night caroling, the midnight McDonald’s, the sweet sabbaths, the dish dance parties, the tender team times and the crazy ones, the street side prayers, the Gospel shared in every grab, the kitchen convos, and the late night cleaning - every piece of it I hold in my heart. It’s being treasured and I pray I don’t forget the sweet memories that bring a smile to my face.

Thank you for always being there. Thank you for sitting and listening. Thank you for speaking encouragement. Thank you for rebuking me. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for calling me so much higher. Thank you for pointing me to the father. Thank you for loving me well, D squad. I pray you know how deeply and truly I love you all. 😘

I miss you already. 😉

~Rissa