Many of you know that I have returned home after five months of Squad Leading R Squad.It has been a blessing and an honor to have led them for the first five months of their trip. I’ve been able to walk alongside them as their faith has been stretched and challenged and I have gotten to see them pursue the Lord with every fiber of their being.
And the wonderful thing is that that doesn’t change now that I’m back on U.S soil!!
I have the opportunity to join my Squad out on the field for their month 7 and final (Month 11) debriefs. I have been fundraising for the chance to be able to go and I realized many of you might be asking the question,
“What’s a debrief?”
Every few months, a squad out on the field has a time of debrief, which usually last around 5 days. It’s a time for the entire squad to come together in one location for a time of rest, adventure, and enjoying each other. Debriefs are also a time of just that- debriefing. To help break it down a bit, I’m going to explain the different aspects of debrief and why it is so important to go.
1) Teachings
Debriefs are the only time that we have the entire squad together in one place. We take advantage of that opportunity by having times of teaching and encouragement. As a leadership team, we spend time praying and asking the Lord where the Squad is spiritually. Then, we ask Him where He is wanting to take them. (What are the areas that they need to grow in, what new things does He want to show them, what does He want them to step out in more, etc)
We also ask the squad if there are things that they might want to know more about, whether it’s spiritually, scripturally, ministry focused, etc. Then, we have teachings throughout the days touching on these subjects. Different members of the leadership team take the opportunity to teach a subject and encourage the squad. These are times for us to pour into them and see how the Lord strengthens and encourages them to move forward.
*One of the big teachings we will be doing in these upcoming debriefs is about the Re-entry process (coming back to the States) which is super important for missionaries coming home.
(My Co-Leader, Logan, teaching a session on celebration)
2) Worship
As the body of Christ, it is so important for us to come together for times of worship. So much unity is born out of times of corporate worship. At debriefs, we have the time to come together as the unified body of R Squad (Also known as R Church ;)) These times of worship are also cool opportunities for different members of the Squad to step out and lead. It’s been awesome to see so many of them do just that!
(Squad Worship in Romania)
3) Team Debriefs
This is a time for each team to meet with the leadership team to debrief their time together over the last few months. We talk about the experiences that they have had with their different ministries. It’s a chance for them to talk about the ways they have grown as a team as well as any challenges they may be experiencing. We provide a safe place for them to be able to work through any problems they may have as well as provide encouragement for them.
4) One-on-Ones
The members of the squad can sign up for individual time with us (known as one-on-ones) where we are able to connect with them in a more intimate setting. This time looks like whatever the Racer wants it to look like. We can help them process what they’re currently going through, we can catch up on the last few months, or we can just hang out and have ice cream! It’s really up to them. One-on-one time with my alumni Squad leaders on my race played a crucial role in my growth and development as a daughter of the King. I highly valued my time with them and I highly value this time with the members of R Squad as well.
(Sometimes one-on-ones take you to a new country, for free! ;))
5) Adventure!
This time together is also a great opportunity for us to get out into the surrounding area as a squad . We can explore the city, go on Safari’s, and get out to see the community that we are in. As children of the Kingdom, we always have the opportunity to minister. We don’t take “off days”. When we’re together with the squad, we have the chance to minister in the surrounding communities when we go for walks, go to malls, or just tour the town. It’s so cool to see how the Lord provides conversations and Divine Appointments for us every day!
(1 day layover in Germany!!!) (Trip to Victoria Falls in Zambia!!!)
So that’s a debrief. Each time of debrief while I was on the field was so crucial for my growth on my Race and I want to be there for R Squad’s debriefs. Will you help me get there? Thanks to your donations and the blessings of God, I have raised enough money to join R Squad for their month 7 debrief. Yay! I have $1,139 left to raise to be able to attend their final debrief. I’m currently doing an “Adopt-A-Box” fundraiser. I have 19 boxes left. Would you consider adopting a box today? (Box 44=$44, box 62=$62) Any amount helps! Just let me know which box you would like and you can donate today by clicking the “support me” tab to the left of this blog. Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
It’s a cold one up here in Northern Maine, with a fresh pile of snow and we’re still getting more!
(Boxes available are 43,44,48,49,52,56,57,59,60,62,63,65,66,71,72,74,77,78,and 79)
But any amount helps!
