Hello friends and family (and online strangers)!
I thought this was a perfect time to send my final letter prior to my launch on The World Race. There have been so many things going on in my life… here’s the update!
Training camp took place last week near Atlanta, GA, and it was the most intense, vulnerable, enriching and challenging week of my life by far. We experienced simulations of the many things we may encounter during the 11-months of travel, individual brokenness and honesty, team and squad building and bonding and so much more. While there were moments that I wondered what on earth I had signed up for, my thoughts of excitement and fulfillment far outweighed everything else.
One evening, two of my squad mates and I were given the task of feeding our entire group of 55 people in 1-hour. It wasn’t at a McDonalds, but rather a simulation of a hectic African marketplace. Vendors shouting at us to come, loud music, beggars, homeless, thieves, cars and more were all thrown at us in an instant. We were being tested to see how we handled this intensely stressful situation. It was awesome.
Through the grace of God, we were able to completely feed and keep everyone in our group safe during the simulation, with money left over. Because of this and various other tests throughout the week, I was one of three people chosen to handle all logistics for my squad of 55 for the entire year! This involves all travel (plane, train, bus, tuktuk, camel, etc.), living arrangements, hostels, food and water procurement, overall safety, border crossings and visas, and constant adaptation to the surroundings and situations, to name just a few of the job requirements. I couldn’t be more excited to handle these things for my squad but could use your prayers as I do my best to navigate 55 Americans literally around the world. It will truly be because of God's grace alone.
On another note, I’ve been extremely blessed to fundraise just over $10,000 as of May 30! The support that I have received from many of you has been incredible and your giving back to God’s kingdom is pretty special in my heart. This also means that I still have $5,500 yet to raise before I can complete my World Race trip. (Click here to make a quick and easy tax-deductible donation)
If you have been waiting to make sure I am in fact doing this crazy adventure, rest assured that I am. There has been nothing in my life that I have been more certain of and God has given me an incredible direction to pursue. I cannot wait for launch!
Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare to leave on this 11-month journey to touch the hearts and lives of people around the world. If you feel led to donate towards my mission trip, that would be incredible as well. Without your support, my mission to reach the least of these simply is not possible.
I will be launching together with #ouRsquad out of Atlanta sometime around the 4th of July, and will be headed to the country of Turkey! Originally, Ireland was in the planner, but the Lord has bigger and better plans for us! Prayers for our safety, strength and discernment as we head to Turkey during this difficult time for the nation would be immensely appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your prayers and support! See you soon.
With love,
Kevin Striegle
