A lot has happened in my life since I posted my last blog. Maybe I’ll get around to writing about it, maybe I won’t. All that’s important to know at this point is I leave for Vietnam in 4 days and I’m really excited about that. I’m going to do my best to write blogs and send updates while out there so, stay with me for the next few months; I imagine I’ll have some pretty incredible stories of reunions with this sweet one and other exciting things to share!
Moving forward…
In my last blog, I mentioned I was in Dallas. Two things brought me there: a conference and a friend. This blog is about the latter.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
I’ve always loved the truth behind these words. There’s something incredibly special about people who can call out the greatness we often fail to see in ourselves. Lauren is one of those people.
I first met Lauren back in May of 09 after God called us both to this crazy journey known as the World Race. It didn’t take long for a beautiful friendship to ensue. While Lauren and I never had the opportunity to be teammates throughout our Race, she was very much a part of my journey. She’s still very much a part of my journey. If there’s one thing I love about my friendship with Lauren, it’s the incredible amount of life she brings. She has this uncanny ability to see in me what I often fail to see in myself and call it into existence. It’s just who she is.
Back when we were in Thailand, Lauren and I had the opportunity to spend some time catching up at a rooftop waterpark in Bangkok. Somewhere between the amazement that we were actually at a waterpark on the top of a mall in Bangkok and avoiding the dozens of kids swimming around us we started to talk about the idea of squad leading. At the beginning of every World Race journey participants are joined by alumni squad leaders who kind of show them the ropes if you will. Squad leaders are an integral part of the World Race experience and often set the tone for what’s to come throughout the year. As Lauren and I talked about the prospect of squad leading, I remember thinking how great she’d be at it. It was maybe a month or so later that I was reading over her squad leading application and praying for the Lord’s favor in all of this.
Last October, Lauren joined two other amazing individuals in leading the one and only S squad. For four months, she poured into these men and women as they began their own World Race journey. While I wasn’t on the field with her, I know without a doubt that she did an incredible job encouraging and challenging them. It’s simply who she is.
Answering the call to squad lead is not a simple task. It requires yet another season of support raising and often calls for making decisions that may not be seen as favorable by many.
This July, Lauren is answering that call yet again. She has committed to pouring into yet another generation of World Racers as they seek to bring Kingdom here on Earth. I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly proud I am of Lauren for doing this, let alone even considering it in the first place! When it comes down to it though, it’s simply who Lauren is. She is an encourager. She is a discipler. This is her heart. This is her passion.
So why am I telling you all this? Because she needs your help.
Lauren is a perfect example of someone truly living as the hands and feet of Christ. I simply ask that you check out her blog. Read her stories. Hear her heart. Learn how you can be a part of this journey.
I promise, this is one investment you won’t regret making!
