As some of you may know and many of your probably don’t, I’m one of the Logistics Leaders for M Squad. (The best Squad EVER!)
What is a Logistics Leader, you might be asking?
Good question, because until training camp I had no idea anything like this existed on the World Race. Since I haven’t really explained the job to very many of you, this blog will help give you a better idea of what we do. Our responsibilities revolve around everything it takes to move a group of 54 around the world …
On The Move
When moving from country to country, we take care of the details for getting the squad to the required location. Oh Boy, is that an adventure. It looks very different each month. We coordinate travel, check into what is needed for visas, and update the office with the new phone numbers once we arrive in country. If we are flying, the staff in the office books our flights. Otherwise, we arrange it. Sometimes, it is a bus or a train and the occasional tuk-tuk. To book these involves going to travel agencies, talking to contacts and asking locals about possible options. This can be quite interesting especially when you don’t know the language and have no idea how to pronounce the name of the city to want to go. When you add a southern drawl to any city it somehow morphs into another language all together. We also take the lead at border crossings and are somehow responsible for devising a bathroom schedule. Logistics always has knowledge of fecal proximity.
No Rest For The Weary
At the end of every few months our entire squad gathers together for what we call debrief. Debriefs are a time for us to have some time away from ministry, receive some teaching, and recharge for the months ahead. As logistics, we have to coordinate lodging and food for everyone on the squad and find adequate space for us to comfortably meet and worship together. So this is not as restful for us as the rest of the squad. For logistics, debrief is typically a time of hectic scheduling and many late nights and early mornings.
Sara and I on the way to pick up the coaches from the airport. (2am)
Ballers
In addition to the set up and planning side of travel, we also have the privilege of paying for it all. It is not uncommon for us to hunt down every available ATM in a city and withdraw cash until the machine says we can’t anymore and then repeat the process the next day. Sometimes we feel like we just won the lottery and trying to keep a low profile as to not get robbed while running across town to buy train tickets.
CFO’s (more or less)
That’s right, Chief Financial Officers. (I exaggerate of course) We are tasked with making sure everyone’s accounting processes are in order. This means supporting and encouraging the treasures that have been chosen for each team. We double check receipts and budgets at the end of each month to ensure everything is in order before sending financial documents back to the AIM office in Georgia.
Debrief in Malaysia getting the finances in order
Beauty and the Beast
Behind every good man is a good woman! (or two of them) For the first three months of the race I had the privilege to serve alongside Madison Christie. Amateurs we were! There was many a day when we had no idea what was going on but we smiled and pretended very well! She was and continues to be a support system when everything seems to fall thought the cracks. I am so thankful to have her in my life. Now, Sara Shoup is keeping me in line. Sara is such an encourager and it has been a blessing to have her on the team. The past few months have proved to be the hardest logistical months yet and Sara had been my partner in crime. You see, in logistics, we do whatever is necessary to get things done. wink wink! Right, Sara?
The lovely Madison
Sara and Myself
Alias’ Are A Must
Month One in Costa Rica some of my squad mates started call me El Jefe (L Hef-A) I just thought that it was my name translated into Spanish. Turns out it means The Boss! J I guess it is fitting. I can be a little bossy from time to time.
A few months into the race I heard someone say “LEGITics.” Well, I used the phrase as often as possible and it stuck. We are now officially known as Legitics. We always book our travel under this name. I even started using it as a hashtag on instagram. I must say we are pretty
LEGIT!
Can I Get On Payroll?
Do I enjoy the work? YES! I love looking at details, planning, and thinking several steps ahead. I really enjoy the problem solving aspect. However, sometimes you work for weeks on end making sure everything is perfect only to receive a phone call saying there has been a mistake and you have to start everything from scratch. Those days can be quite challenging to say the least. My role as logistics will definitely be making its way onto my resume.
Each day as Legitics produces new challenges, which I have learned are nothing more than opportunities to see God move in a BIG way! We get to see this first hand. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve my squad in this way and have gained such valuable experience.
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Mobile Me!
I wrote this blog a couple months ago but decided to post this right away. I have recently been asked to take a step aside from Logistics and to train new leaders to finish out the last three months of the race. I have enjoyed my role tremendously! Logistics has been an exclamation point to my race and I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity.
