It’s been exactly one week since I arrived home from the World Race.
And in one more week, I will be flying to Atlanta to start a brand new journey with the Race.
Since being home, there has been a number one, hot-button question I have been asked from friends and family…
“What exactly are you doing next?” and,
“How is Squad Leading different from what you did this past year?”
GREAT QUESTIONS.
If you haven’t already, Check out my vlog (So, What’s Next?). This video gives an overview of my next steps after completing the Race.
As you know, I spent the last year travelling around and serving in 12+ countries. In each country my squad-mates and I would connect with ministry hosts and serve them in whatever ways they needed. Those hosts, the places they lived, and the people they served was my ministry. Those things alone were my focus.
This time around, that focus shifts.
This time around, my ministry is to the Racers themselves.
As much as ministry and mission-work is a big part of this 11 month trip, discipleship plays a HUGE role in the overall impact of the year, in fact, I would say it is one of the main focuses of the program.
There is something about taking a leap of faith, stepping out of your comfort zone, and literally travelling around the world into new and unfamiliar places, that provokes change and allows the Lord to work deeply in you. The World Race, takes that natural growth process and adds to that by implementing biblical truth and Godly community to build up individuals in the faith.
I watched this happen within myself and several of my squad-mates in big ways throughout my Race.
Throughout the year, not only did I get a chance to deeply pour out the Father’s love to people around the world, but The Father also poured His love and truth into me. I found healing on the Race, I found discipleship, and I found a true, real calling on my life.
I remember sitting on a park bench in Montenegro during month one, with my Alumni Squad Leader, Heather, for what we call “one-on-ones”. We both entered that conversation with a light-hearted mentality, expecting it to be full of laughs and jokes. Little did we know that on that divinely-appointed day, the Lord would use Heather to help launch me into a long, yet amazing journey to find healing and restoration in my life. We sat on that bench that day and cried as we realized what He was orchestrating in that moment.
Through each step of the race, Heather walked along side me as I made hard choices, dealt with harsh realities, and found true freedom.
At my final debrief I sat with Heather and was in awe and rejoiced in victory as we reflected on all the Lord had done throughout the year.
Heather played such a big role in the giant leaps I took in the faith. From month one to month eleven, her encouragement, consistent prayer, and humble leadership helped carry me to where the Lord had ordained.
Heather is a prime example of the impact I hope to have this year, as I become an Alumni Squad Leader myself.
Yes, I will still be travelling to multiple countries over the five month period that I will be with the squad that I am leading. I will still be working directly with international Christian leaders and ministering to “the least of these”, but my main ministry is to the ones I will be traveling with. I will be sharing my experiences from my Race with them; things I have learned and mistakes I made that they can learn from. I will be walking along side them as they encounter hard situations and be an encourager as they face obstacles along the way. I will be there to rejoice in victory and celebrate growth. No matter what this squad will face, my job is to help guide them through it, and gosh I couldn’t be more excited!
Words can’t even begin to tell you how pumped I am to start this new journey! Next week, I will be traveling to Gainesville, Georgia to begin training the new group of racers I will be leading throughout the year. Here, I will be finding out which route I will be leading along with meeting my new co-leader(s).
Time is flying by, and before I know it, I’ll be on a plane again headed to new place to start a new adventure all over again!
That being said, with starting a new journey comes the need to fund it.
I need to raise $6,000 in order to lead this new group of racers actively for 5 months and return to them during their month 7 and 11 debriefs. This amount will take care of all costs needed to support me while I’m back out on the field. Will you consider making a small $10 or $20 monthly donation to help me get there?
If you would like to support me, simply click the “support me” button above, or the link to the left.
Thank you to all of those who have shown so much love towards me this week! You guys are seriously so great and have blessed me more than words can say.
Here we go, World Race: Part two!
Im SO PUMPED!
