This is my first blog from the field – Johannesburg, South Africa.
There is much to tell you about what has been happening so far.
5 days ago, I left home to fly to Chicago to meet with the other team leaders for some final prep work and to reunite with my squad before taking off to the nations. These few days is what the World Race calls Launch.
The first day of Launch we had a team leaders meeting to discuss our duties and responsibilities. I would not say it was overwhelming, but many of the leaders agreed it was a good amount to manage. When our squad trainers asked me to be a team leader at training camp, I was greatly humbled and honored. I felt unworthy to be out in such a position, when I saw others so much more spiritual and more qualified in many aspects. But at the same time, I felt the Holy Spirit giving me peace and a spirit of strength and boldness, telling me that this would be the first step toward the promise that God had told me earlier at training camp. The promise that He had far greater plans for me than even my highest goals. So though I knew it would be a struggle and that I would undoubtedly be stretched, I gladly and humbly accepted the responsibility.
The last day of Launch, the 9 teams of iSquad found out each of our ministry sites for this month. Although we were all supposed to serve together in Zimbabwe and Botswana, more often than not, the World Race is unpredictable and requires flexibility and adaptability. We lost many of our contacts in Botswana and in the last few days put together a team of host ministries we were able to serve. Much credit is due to our squad coordinator Ryan Hughes for the sleepless nights he worked to make it all work out. Thanks for everything Ryan. Ryan, by the way, shared his testimony with us one of the last days, and this man has one of the most incredible and blessing testimonies I have ever heard in my life. A great man of God he is.
So our final list includes our 9 teams being spread out at ministries in 4 different countries: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa. My team, Team Genesis, will be going to Zambia to serve in Livingstone with Dan from Overland Missions!!! This particular ministry is one that the World Race has been trying for years to send racers to, but could not because of cost. Ryan made it very clear how impressed he was with himself that he had made it happen and we will be the first team in World Race history to serve there. It also doesn't hurt that our site will be on the edge of a cliff overlooking Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world 😉 It's the missionary life.
So after a couple days of travel, a couple layovers in New York and Atlanta, and the second longest flight in the world (over 16 hours), our squad arrived in Jo-burg last night safely with only one lost bag! In the next couple days, my team of 6 will take a 18+ hour bus ride to Zambia to our host ministry for the month. God is doing great things so stay tuned! 🙂
