Hello friends, family and supporters,

Logistical Update: 

January 22, 2021 Taylor, Emily, their family and I left Cape Verde. They will remain in the US to welcome a new baby to their family then return, Lord willing, to Cape Verde in August. As for me, I am currently in Georgia until Friday when I fly out to meet the Guatemala team. I have gotten yet another COVID test, gone to target, and spent my 20th birthday here in this in-between phrase of this year. I am really excited to meet the team again and work with them. I am also super excited to learn Spanish! 

Leaving Cape Verde for the second time was not easy, but the Lord really prepared my heart. I love the family He has allowed me to acquire and they will always hold a place in my heart. Cape Verde will always be a beautiful place filled with beautiful people that I have been fortunate to know and love. I loved my time in Cape Verde with the Condreys and I learned so much but I am ready to welcome the new season God has for me in Guatemala. 

Update on What I am Learning:

One thing I have been learning right now is contentment in many areas of my life. Don’t get me wrong, God’s provision is so abundant, but oftentimes my desires out way my needs. I will never forget my dad responding to me countless times after I asked for something that wasn’t a necessity with “Well, you’re old enough to where your wants won’t hurt you.” He was right. But I think this season of COVID, changing of plans and so much more has left all of us a little bit more aware of our wants and needs. The Lord is graciously teaching me that instead of looking to the future (all the time) or longing for what I do not have, I need to be present and content. Not that planning for the future is bad or that all desires for the future are bad. However, sometimes I get so caught up in the future - even goals - or unfilled desires that I am no longer able to be content in the present. The Lord is showing me that a lack of contentment in the current place he has me in can inhibit me from learning what he wants to teach me right now. Each season of life is unique, and if I am not able to seek contentment in the current season I will be distracted from what the Lord is trying to teach me. 

I am reading a really good book called The Sacred Romance by John Eldridge and Brent Curtis. First, the book is about God romancing the heart of humanity into a real, intimate relationship with himself - which is incredible. But, within this, they emphasize that if we do not trust God’s goodness, we will inevitably not trust him with our hearts. If we are not trusting God’s goodness, we will also not be content. He doesn’t owe me an explanation for the season I am in, but in his love places me and you in places, with people for a reason. I just know I have wasted so much time looking at the next hour, next day, next week, next month, next season; forfeiting the lessons and opportunities of today. I think I’m so used to hearing the phrase “God has a purpose for you!” and thinking it automatically means in the future he has a purpose, plan, lesson, or opportunity instead of applying that phrase to the current day.

The God who came down to rescue us from our sin and brokenness wants a relationship with us everyday. He wants to be present with us in every moment. He wants us to walk with him. Not run, not sit and have a coffee date, but walk with him. This is just something I am being taught right now. What does a relationship really look like with God? How do I be content and seek him daily? We serve a Great God. How often am I stuck in “Cassidy’s world” instead of concerning myself with being caught up in the relationship and will of the Creator of the Universe? 

Prayer Requests: 

• For my heart to be prepared to join the Guatemala team.

• For me to be present and to seek the Lord’s guidance each day.

• For my COVID test to come back negative, and in time for my flight. 

• For safe travels and entry into Guatemala.

Song Encouragement: 

• “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” 

• “Real Thing” by Maverick City Worship 

• “Still” by Rend Collective 

• “Washed” by UPPERROOM

• "Oh What a Miracle" by North Point Worship

 Hello friends and family, 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! I know it was probably different for everyone with smaller gatherings and perhaps a little less extravagant than usual. This was the case for me here in Cape Verde. Although it is difficult to spend Christmas away from family, I feel without being away I would not learn as much. Afterall, as one of my friends of the Guatemala team said “there’s no comfort in a growth zone, and no growth in a comfort zone.” This is true and a constant reminder to me as I am away from home. Even still, as Christmas day came and during that day I was being taught that Jesus is enough. He is enough for my comfort and joy and peace. And if Christmas is to be a celebration of Jesus’ birth, then I should not need anyone or anything else. Although this season is normally a time for family and warmth, I have often forgotten that truly this season does not “need” to be grand and filled with so many things. Longing for family was a valid feeling of mine, but I was constantly reminded that Jesus is enough. 

That being said, I did have a good and restful Christmas. The Sunday before Christmas I went to church where I spent most of my time last year. It was sweet to worship with them and even take a family picture with my pastor and his family. On that Tuesday I had a gift exchange with the tias and tios at the preschool ministry that I was really looking forward to too and it was fun and sweet. Then Christmas day I got to see Taylor and Emily’s kids open presents and have a gift exchange with them as well. Christmas this year was sweet and simple and I really enjoyed it. 

In the past week, I have had Portuguese classes, rest, some time with friends and even two opportunities to share the Gospel. First, I was able to share with Claudia, the lady I bought bananas from last year. In Cape Verde, many “banana ladies” as we call them, due to their occupation, sell fruit and other produce along the streets. Claudia sits outside a store my teammates and I used to visit at least once every week. She was always kind, asked about my family, about my day, and I was just blessed by her. The Lord laid it on my heart last weekend that I had a relationship with her, but had not shared the Gospel. So the next time I saw her I went and shared with her. She responded by saying she had accepted Christ as a result of some of the other missionaries I know sharing with her. She also encouraged me when she said her and her friend, Odete, studied the Bible together right there on the street as they  sold produce. I asked if I could come study with them and they said I could. I went back a couple days later and gave Odete (Claudia wasn’t there) a “green book.” We used to hand out these books and lead studies with them in the church ministries. One book has Genesis and the New Testament, the other book has short lessons walking though Creation to The Fall and lessons on how to have a relationship with Christ. I was able to pray with Odete and ask about when they would study together next. I hope to be able to go back and study with them and I am thankful for their faith and desire to study God’s word.  

The second opportunity I had was in my first taxi ride by myself. I got in, a little nervous, but soon Anselmo was asking me about my Christmas. He surprised me when he said Christmas was about our King, Jesus, coming. In a couple minutes he asked me how he could know Christ more. Wow, what a depiction of a “Person of Peace.” I quickly began by saying first you must accept Christ into your life through faith in Him as your Savior and Lord, and then repent of your sins. I continued to say going to church, reading your Bible and praying were the ways we are able to grow in our relationship with God. He told me he always has the desire to go to church, but because of his work, (as a taxi driver) he is usually unable to go. I tried to explain to him that church is not a building, but when other believers are gathered together. When we arrived at my house he gave me his name and number in case I needed a taxi ride. But really, more so, the Lord provided a way for me to get in contact with him. Afterall, getting in contact with a specific taxi driver would be nearly impossible had he not given me his phone number. Before he left, I gave him one of the “green book” Bibles and study books. I hope Taylor and I can reach out to him in the next few days and maybe schedule a time to study with him because he really has that desire. 

I was blown away at those two opportunities and how the Lord has grown my heart to be able to share Him. How he was faithful to provide me with words, understanding of the people I was talking to and the peace to share. I can also see how the Lord is growing my heart. I have struggled so much in the past and even still about my identity in Christ that sharing Him seemed far fetched and really scary. But he provides the faith we need. He is teaching my heart in His perfect timing and asking me to seek him and be obedient. He is gracious to teach us. To set us free from the bondage of our fears. It is quite silly of me to try to measure up somehow to a standard of faith, when really He is the one that grants all faith and growth in my heart. 

Prayer Requests: 

• That I would continue to seek and serve the Lord everyday. But that I would not measure my service to how full my schedule is or is not. 

• Prayer for my heart to be prepared to leave for the second time. 

Song Encouragement: 

• “Hymn of the Ages” and “Promises” by Maverick City Worship 

• “Home” and “Free Falling” by Dante Bowe

Graca e Paz, 

  Cassidy Green

 

Hello supporters, friends and family,    I hope everyone has been having a great holiday season! It has been a crazy few weeks since my last update. Since the last time I wrote I have finished training in NC, spent some time at home with my family and returned to Cape Verde. Training finished November 17th when all the students went to Georgia to prepare to go to Guatemala. After receiving a negative COVID test, I was able to return home. It was really great to spend time with my family for a little while before returning to Cape Verde. We had Thanksgiving dinner and just spent some time together before I left. On December 3rd I flew from RDU to Boston, then after a long layover flew from Boston to Praia Cape Verde. Once I arrived in CV I was met by Taylor and Emily Condrey, the missionaries I will be staying with during my time here.    It has almost been a little over a week since arriving here in Cape Verde. Two Sundays have passed and I was able to visit both campuses that I was familiar with last year. I loved seeing and talking to my friends and those that seem like family. I loved being in that place to worship with them again. The first week, in Terra Branka (the church I attended but not on a weekly basis) I felt comfort from hearing their singing and simply being in that building. I keep realizing the comfort I feel from either listening or seeing the people I was with last year in Cape Verde. Perhaps instead of finding comfort in a country or home, I really found comfort within teammates, my leaders and friends I met here throughout the year. I remember arriving at training that Sunday in October and Derek and Lauren arrived for a visit. It was so comforting and safe to hear Derek’s voice and to be with them and some other teammates from the past year. I felt similar seeing a friend at the preschool one day. Just seeing those I know and those who know me is so comforting when so much surrounding me seems very unknown. I can just see how much I rely on others for comfort. I know God is my Comforter, but he has also graciously given us community to comfort one another. I think I am seeing the benefit of the community he has given me. I am reminded of this in the verse from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (NIV) Sometimes it is our time to comfort, but other times, it is our time to be comforted. I just think that is so cool, and such a great picture of our relationship with God. He gives to us, to that we can give unto others. That means, we are meant to comfort one another and we are meant to receive comfort.  Overall, my time here in Cape Verde so far has been pretty calm but different than last year. I am enjoying staying with the Condreys and am excited for where God leads me as I am here. Thank you for all of your prayers, they are so appreciated.  Song Encouragement:  “Free Falling,” “Potter and Friend” and “Home” by Dante Bowe  “He Understands” by Chandler Moore “Promises,” “To You” and “Hymn of the Ages” by Maverick City Worship   Graca e paz,  Cassidy Green.

 Good afternoon friends and family. 

I miss you all but I am so excited to share what God has been doing here in Forest City. For those who do not know, I have been in Forest City, NC for about four weeks for training and will be here for one more week. After these few weeks of training, I will be heading to Cape Verde until January. Then I will finish up my intern year with Global Year in Guatemala. Logistically, it has been crazy to plan this year but God has been providing every step of the way and still is! A few weeks ago the Cape Verdean border opened to commercial flights and passports for my leaders are back. Tickets are the next step, but for now I am literally soaking in all I can in this training. 

Quite honestly, I did not want to come to training here in NC. Mostly for two reasons: it is not Cape Verde, and I was scared of the spiritual things that could be stirred inside myself. But, if I could shortly sum up what God has been teaching me it would lead to this verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." God has been revealing to me what faith and a relationship with him is actually like. Contrary to my belief (or really my practice) for many years, it is not filled with fear or anxiety but God desires a relationship filled with love and peace. One where he calls us deeper and deeper by him and for him each and everyday. This realization began at the beginning of this year when God started to reveal lies I have believed in my walk with him that have robbed me of freedom, peace and joy. This has continued since my time here in training. But, he has not given me a spirit of fear but the person of Holy Spirit. He has revealed freedom and a depth of a relationship for my teammates and I that I did not realize. He has dug up some insecurities, but he has shown me and my teammates that it is in his mercy and grace that he reveals darkness to be overcome with His light. In his mercy, He desires all of us to live in a real, everyday relationship with him. Not to follow do's and don'ts, but to have communion and a friend. Not to live in the past, but to live in newness and life. Some may be thinking, "Cassidy, people have told you that your whole life." But, yet, here I am learning it seemingly for the first time. The Sovereignty of God is truly amazing. He knew I was not ready to receive the teachings of these two weeks even a month ago. He gives perfect timing for learning. I am so excited for this team and what God has in store. He is breaking chains. He is revealing himself anew to all of us and I am in awe of how he has moved in these short weeks. 

Many people asked me what I would be doing here in NC for training and at the time I did not really know. However, we're here and we are quite busy. Our days begin by spending time with the Lord from 8:00-9:00 then we have a morning session of training either with a book called The Spirit Walk or a curriculum called "Salt." After lunch, two days a week we prayer walk in two communities seeking opportunities to build relationships and share Christ. Other days we have language or culture training. In the evenings we have commitments to church or rest. Finally, on Saturday we have our Sabbath and rest. Practicing Sabbath has been such a blessing. Learning to really stop and refill is something I am learning is really important. That sums up most of our week and although it is a little crazy at times, I am excited for learning more and growing with this team. 

Prayer Requests: 

- Pray for continual growth in the team. For our spiritual walks and for unity. 

- Pray for our team as the "honeymoon phase" is over. We will need to be continually learning to love each other well and how to live together in respect. 

- Pray for our hearts to be prepared to leave. 

Song Encouragement: 

I kinda want to share some songs that have really been encouraging me these past few weeks. I am being reminded of the communion music brings me to God and to other people. Specifically, singing with my leader Caleb has been really special. He was in Cape Verde as a leader for a short time and I have missed singing with my team in simple praise. I am so thankful for the times he has given me to worship simply with teammates and leaders. Here are just some songs that have been so encouraging to me that I would love to share: 

From Maverick City Worship: 

"Have My Heart"

"Closer" - the newest album featuring Brandon Lake

"The Story I'll Tell"

"Refiner" 

By Brandon Lake: 

- "Gratitude" 

- "Wild For Me"

- "Lost In Your Love"

I am so thankful for the support I have from home. I am so blessed to have family and friends that love me and love the Lord. I miss ya'll, but I am so excited for what this year holds. 

Graca e paz, 

Cassidy Green.