Well.. It’s finally Official! On SEPTEMBER 6TH, H Squad along with I, J, K, L, Gap 1, and Gap 2 Squads (yes, that’s right, 7 squads!!) will be meeting up in Georgia to prepare for LAUNCH! We will be in the USA for a few more days after that, having a few last minute training sessions, finding out our first ministry sites, having some top notch w0rship services (Training Camp w0rship with 3 squads was amazing.. can’t wait for all 7 squads to converge and experience it together!!), and of course plenty of random dance parties.
After a few days of preparation, our squads will split up and board planes to our first countries. H Squad’s first destination: INDIA!
I can’t even begin to express the emotions that have been racing through my mind and body over the past day since the announcement was made. But here are just a few of my emotions:
-I was elated to know the final date.
-I was relieved to know that I will have a few extra days to prepare (I was expecting to meet up September 1st or sooner).
-I was super stressed to think about all the things still on my to-do list!
-I was super depressed knowing that my days with my boys at work are quickly slipping away from me.
-I was distressed in realizing that my next fundraising deadline is right around the corner, and I am still $1,741 short of making the deadline
-I was overjoyed at the idea of being reunited with my H Squad Family and Team River Dwellers
-I was overwhelmed at the thought of the journey that I have walked to reach this point.
Things that You can be Pr@ying for:
1. Peace! These next 37 days will be a roller coaster of emotion for all of us, as well as our family and friends. Pr@y for that blessed “Peace that passes understanding” as we rely on Papa to help us through.
2. Provision! As I mentioned before, I still lack $1,741 to make my first deadline and be allowed to launch with my squad. I also need several thousand dollars cash to purchase things such as: year’s supply of my medication, travel vaccinations, the remainder of my gear, and other msc. last minute expenses. Please Pr@y with me that Papa would lead me to the right people to ask, and that hearts would be softened towards my mission.
3. Comfort! I will be breaking the news of me leaving to the boys at my work soon. I have spent the past year pouring into this organization and into this group home. Some of these boys I have worked with since day one, others I have only worked with for a few months or a few weeks. Regardless of how long I have spent with each of them, it is going to be very difficult for ALL of us for me to leave. A lot of them have taken risks to open up to me and to trust me, so it will seem to them like I am breaking that trust. This breaks my heart. Pr@y that Papa will comfort them and guard their hearts from unnecessary pain. Pr@y that they will understand that my leaving has nothing to do with anything they have done, and is a personal choice I had to make.
4. Organization! I have a tendency to be unorganized (as characterized by my less than organized ability to write consistent blogs!). When I get stressed and am under pressure, that disorganization seems to escalate quickly. I feel like every part of my life right now looks like a bomb went off: from my bedroom, to my journal, to my thoughts, to my to-do lists, to my office.. and the list goes on. Pr@y that I will be able to take a step back and begin to reorganize everything, and continue on in an organized manner. Otherwise the next few weeks will only be that much more stressful!
Thank you so much for your support: financial, spiritual, and physical. I would not have made it this far without my amazing, dedicated support system!
