So, as many of you know, I moved to Gainesville, GA to continue my journey with Adventures In Missions! Things are going well so far. I now know how to find the grocery store, the office, and the gym without having to use the GPS on my phone! I also signed up for a Kroger saver’s card to earn money off gas, so things are becoming more official. My house is great. My roommates are great. My reunions with old squad mates are great. Everything is just great. I am so blessed to be here in such awesome community.
I first arrived in Gainesville two weeks ago! For the first eleven, jam-packed days, I had the opportunity to train one of the next three Squads of Gap Year Racers! It was days full of hiking, praying, worshipping, deep conversations, and pouring into Gap D Squad as they prepare to hit the missions field in September. I’m so proud of them, their desire to know the Father’s heart, their eagerness to learn, and their passion to reach the nations. Here are a few pictures from the week:
Gap D Arrives to Training Camp!
Worship!
Dance Off! Get it, Maddux.
Squad Worship!
Team Formations!
Even though I won’t be traveling around the world as much with this new position at Adventures, I’m still a missionary. I’m a missionary who supports other missionaries. At Adventures In Missions, I’m a Squad Administrator (SQA) which I’ll explain in a minute. Right now, I have three Squads that I support stateside:
- 1. Gap D: They are going to three countries in nine months (#3n9). They’ll be in Thailand for three months, South Africa for three months, and Nicaragua for three months!
- V Squad: They are going to eleven countries in eleven months (#11n11). Their Route is unique in the fact that they’ll be doing ministry in countries only in Asia! They’ll go to China, Mongolia, Japan, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
- Z Squad: They, too, are going to eleven countries in eleven months (#11n11). They’ll be doing ministry in Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
In my role as an SQA, I’ll be doing a number of things. If you want more details on the position, let me know. I’d be happy to explain more fully in a personal conversation. For now, here is a brief summary of what I’m doing:
Each of the Squads I’ll be working for will have logistic leaders, team treasurers, and finance coordinators. First and foremost, I’ll be building relationships with these individuals to be an encouragement and support to them. I’ll be the main point of contact between them and Adventures In Missions to ensure that they are practicing proper financial processes on the field. I’ll drive the process for planning Squad Debriefs and also help with travel days and visa obtainment. I’ll be setting up team budgets, reviewing all receipts that come in from the field, monitoring all Visa card usage, and assisting with any financial and logistical issues that they encounter. I’ll also have opportunities to visit them on the field! In a nut shell, I have the privilege of helping the Squads and their leaders be good stewards of the resources that God has given them. Like I said, if you’d like a more detailed explanation of my job description, I’d be more than willing to talk!
Because I am a stateside missionary supporting other missionaries who are being sent, I still need support. As an SQA, I receive half of my salary from Adventures In Missions and support raise the other half. I need to raise $1,000 per month. I know it seems odd for me to raise money to work, but I pray that anybody reading this would see the heart behind the “Why?” I’m no longer the actual hands and feet doing Kingdom work; I’m now one of the muscles that help those being the hands and feet extend.
I’d ask that you’d prayerfully consider supporting me financially. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a monthly gift, every little bit helps. Since I’m brand new in this position, I’m looking for a few monthly supporters who will partner with me in getting started. It can be any amount of your choosing. Also, one-time gifts right now are incredibly important as well! The end of the fiscal year is September 30, 2015. I need to have $2,000 by then for the two months of this fiscal year that I will have worked. On October 1, 2015, the new fiscal year starts and this will be where monthly supporters would be appreciated.
You can donate one of two ways:
- By clicking on the “Support Me” tab on the left hand side of the screen in the menu. From there, it will give you directions on how to give a one-time donation or start a monthly donation.
- You can send checks to my personal mailing address, and I will take care of it from there! My address is 1051 Park Hill Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501.
If you are unable to support me financially or feel that this isn’t where the Lord is calling you to give, I understand! Support through prayer and encouragement is just as necessary! No matter how you decide to support me, I am grateful.
Again, if you have any questions, concerns, or violent objections (Wink, wink, Travis), please don’t hesitate to reach out. My phone is (563) 340-4861.
Thank you, and God bless!
Gap D!
