Wow wow wow.

Hi blog! It’s been a minute, but I’m SO glad to be writing again and getting the opportunity to update you on some of the things the LORD has been doing since we got to Jamaica.

First; OUR SQUAD IS IN JAMAICA! That’s absolutely wild. When the LORD began putting this place on my heart back in January, I couldn’t imagine it’s where I’d be on this trip. While the plan wasn’t for Jamaica to be on this route, I’m SO beyond grateful that the LORD ensured it was added. He knows what He’s doing, praise God.

Second, God did such a huge thing in my life this week that I thought would take the whole 9 months to heal, if it was ever healed. But wow we serve such a BIG God.

Fear of man seems to have always been a part of my life, but it didn’t stay as just a part. I’m not sure when it entered in, but through the years it took over my entire vision, consuming my mind with racing thoughts about what people were thinking and constantly performing dozens of perception checks. For so long, I’ve felt like I was always looking over my shoulder, waiting for someone to catch when I messed up. I sought approval and needed more and more to keep satisfying the feeling of validation. I cared more about what my relationships looked like than I did about creating actually fulfilling connections.

Logically, I knew that I could work from the approval Christ gave me on the cross and not for people’s affirmation, but the head knowledge wasn’t fully convincing my heart (Am i now seeking the approval of man, or of God?). I was in a never-ending rat race. That is, until I got feedback.

“People on this squad talk so highly about you.” “They want to be around you.” “I want you there.”

These are words one of my teammates spoke over me that cut through the veil over my mind and brought light to so many of the lies that had been rushing around in my head.

Wanted. Seen. Belongs. Known. Cherished.

The morning after hearing those words, I woke up with this deep gladness and confidence in authenticity. The Father has ALREADY affirmed me. Good or bad, no other voice (including that of authoritative ones) actually matters. I am who He says I am. And! I don’t have to be anyone other than me :) He decided S-Squad should have Shayley, with all the unique things He placed inside of me, so I don’t want to waste the year trying to be who I think I’m expected to be. Only He gets the final say in who I am, and it’s tattooed on my left wrist; “Beloved”.

The Father killed fear of man in me.

If this is what He’s done with just over a month, I have incredible expectancy for what He has in store over the next 8.

Lastly, I have another cool testimony from the field! While on a walk in the community during our first week, a couple of us met Auntie Dottie, a 96y/o woman with so many amazing stories. This week, our team of 7 was on Good Will Ministry and fulfilling work orders in the community, one of which was fixing her fence! While some of the girls worked on the fence, 2 of us got the opportunity to sit with Auntie again and hear some of her world. It was phenomenal! But at the beginning, she showed us her knee, which was at least twice the size it should be. It was swollen and in pain, visibly hurting her when she moved. When we got there, the Holy Spirit told me to pray at the end. So once the fence was built and we had such good conversation, that’s what we did! And with my hand on her knee speaking Jesus’ beautiful Name; I felt as the swelling went down and watched her knee return to nearly its normal size. I hardly believed it; I even hesitate still! While we had been talking to Dottie, men in the village had been arguing, shouting dangerous threats at each other as two dogs fought next to our group of girls working on the fence. It’s so clear that the enemy did not want us there. But earlier that morning, Holy Spirit had revealed to me that we were supposed to have a conversation with someone on that street. As Dottie began to weep and thank the LORD with shouts of praise, I realized this was right.

It was all right. Coming here, walking across a street, sawing wood & filming moments. As I walked back from Dottie’s, I asked the LORD, “Who am i that the highest King would even consider using me?” I’m humbled, full of gratitude, and overwhelmed with how He loves me so much that He would send me to the nations, but ultimately fulfill all my heart’s desires with Himself.

Thank You, Jesus.

i love you friends, and Jesus does all the more :)

-Shay

P.S. - I’m still fundraising! If you feel called to support what God is doing through me in the nations, I would love to chat more. Please reach out! All the links to donations stuff are below 💛

Gap Year Donation Link: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2026-world-race-gap-year-26g0903-copy/participants/shayley-taylori

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Shayley-Taylor