This weekend, U Squad met up in Chisinau, Moldova to launch into our
final month of ministry on the World Race. Final! As in last, end,
terminado- it’s over and we all go home after this… But we weren’t the
only ones who journeyed to Chisinau, A Squad met us there as well.
We are entering our eleventh month, they are halfway through their
second. We are experienced, seasoned, and wise, well-versed in the ways
of the world and of the World Race. They are young and unaware, full of
questions, awe and wonder. As U Squad, we have survived Africa, made it
through Asia, pressed into Australia. A Squad has seen only Europe. We
have been out of American society and culture so long we are not even
sure how to act when we return. The American soil is still fresh on the
soles of A Squad’s shoes as they fight off feelings of entitlement,
homesickness and culture shock.
So yeah, we different, U and A. But it’s our similarities that brought
us together. It’s the desire for justice, it’s the answering of the
call, being hope to the broken and releasing captives from bondage that
entangles them. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom. The Gospel. The truth. Each
member of our squads has a spirit of reckless abandon that seeks to die
to self that Christ may be more greatly exemplified in the body, our
bodies, the body of believers.
You see, U Squad may be experienced, seasoned and wise, but we are also
tired, worn out and spent. A Squad is full of life, energy, fresh eyes
and fresh hearts. To me, they were the reminder of why I am here. Why I
sold my stuff, quit my job, and left my family and friends to live life
out of a backpack. They were just what I needed. Just the spark to light
my dulling flame. These Racers were like sponges soaking up every bit
of info they could get from us. But as I answered their many questions, I
processed things, moments and encounters, breakthroughs and growth
spurts- some for the first time. These happenings from months past
flooded my memory. It reminded me of all the ways God has shown up. Of
all the times my teammates believed in me. Of all the hearts that have
been changed, including my own. It’s like seeing that person for the
thousandth time and falling in love all over again. Except I’ve fallen
for the LORD, I’m falling for Him everyday, each day more and more. I’m
falling for Him, His people, His plans.
A Squad helped me feel that again. They, along with the life and love
of my own squad, helped propel me into this final month with passion and
zeal and purpose. And this won’t stop at JFK Airport. This time, I’m
playing for keeps.
We learn from the periodic table, Au= Gold. And Psalm 66:10-12 gives the promise that
although we’ve been tested and tried and walked through the fire, we
will be brought to a place of abundance. Like gold must go through the
refiner’s fire before it becomes complete, we, too, go through a process
of refinement. This year, I’ve been refined. I’ve been refreshed. I’ve
been renewed and recharged. I’ve seen it in my life and I’ve seen it in the lives of others.This is my prayer for A Squad and all the people they come in contact with over the next 9 months.
Thanks, A Squad, for your joy, innocence and influence. You are world-changers.
Thanks, U Squad, for keeping up that same fight in month 11 as months
one and two. For believing in me and the “least of these.” For pressing
into the future God has for us beyond the Race. Let us run with
perseverance and hope.
final month of ministry on the World Race. Final! As in last, end,
terminado- it’s over and we all go home after this… But we weren’t the
only ones who journeyed to Chisinau, A Squad met us there as well.
We are entering our eleventh month, they are halfway through their
second. We are experienced, seasoned, and wise, well-versed in the ways
of the world and of the World Race. They are young and unaware, full of
questions, awe and wonder. As U Squad, we have survived Africa, made it
through Asia, pressed into Australia. A Squad has seen only Europe. We
have been out of American society and culture so long we are not even
sure how to act when we return. The American soil is still fresh on the
soles of A Squad’s shoes as they fight off feelings of entitlement,
homesickness and culture shock.
So yeah, we different, U and A. But it’s our similarities that brought
us together. It’s the desire for justice, it’s the answering of the
call, being hope to the broken and releasing captives from bondage that
entangles them. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom. The Gospel. The truth. Each
member of our squads has a spirit of reckless abandon that seeks to die
to self that Christ may be more greatly exemplified in the body, our
bodies, the body of believers.
You see, U Squad may be experienced, seasoned and wise, but we are also
tired, worn out and spent. A Squad is full of life, energy, fresh eyes
and fresh hearts. To me, they were the reminder of why I am here. Why I
sold my stuff, quit my job, and left my family and friends to live life
out of a backpack. They were just what I needed. Just the spark to light
my dulling flame. These Racers were like sponges soaking up every bit
of info they could get from us. But as I answered their many questions, I
processed things, moments and encounters, breakthroughs and growth
spurts- some for the first time. These happenings from months past
flooded my memory. It reminded me of all the ways God has shown up. Of
all the times my teammates believed in me. Of all the hearts that have
been changed, including my own. It’s like seeing that person for the
thousandth time and falling in love all over again. Except I’ve fallen
for the LORD, I’m falling for Him everyday, each day more and more. I’m
falling for Him, His people, His plans.
A Squad helped me feel that again. They, along with the life and love
of my own squad, helped propel me into this final month with passion and
zeal and purpose. And this won’t stop at JFK Airport. This time, I’m
playing for keeps.
We learn from the periodic table, Au= Gold. And Psalm 66:10-12 gives the promise that
although we’ve been tested and tried and walked through the fire, we
will be brought to a place of abundance. Like gold must go through the
refiner’s fire before it becomes complete, we, too, go through a process
of refinement. This year, I’ve been refined. I’ve been refreshed. I’ve
been renewed and recharged. I’ve seen it in my life and I’ve seen it in the lives of others.This is my prayer for A Squad and all the people they come in contact with over the next 9 months.
Thanks, A Squad, for your joy, innocence and influence. You are world-changers.
Thanks, U Squad, for keeping up that same fight in month 11 as months
one and two. For believing in me and the “least of these.” For pressing
into the future God has for us beyond the Race. Let us run with
perseverance and hope.
