Taking a cue from some of my squadmates, here are some answers to some of the questions I’ve been receiving lately, as well as a basic timeline of what life will look like for me for the next few weeks:
So, are you doing this thing all by yourself?
Absolutely not! I am nowhere near brave enough for that (nor foolish enough, to be honest). There are 4 squads that leave in July: D,E,F, and G. Each squad will travel to a different route of 11 countries. I am stoked to be one of the 43 members of the G Squad family. 43 people can be quite overwhelming for a small ministry, so our squad is broken into smaller teams of 5-7 people. Our squad will travel to all of the same countries together, but teams may be spread into different areas/regions of the country to help serve on different ministries.
What is your team like?
I am beyond blessed to be serving alongside 5 other beautiful women on Team Gladiators. Each unique in her own way, I believe we will use our individual strengths and giftings to come together as a community and serve the people God puts in our path. My teammates are as follows:
LeAnn Wright: Waynesburg, KY
Amanda Patchin: Boise, ID
Lindsay Westerfield: Bossier City, LA
Naomi Demmon: DeWitt, IA
Jackelyn Mead (team leader): Bowling Green, KY
I know you’ve said this, but where are you going again?
Though are route (and/or its order) is still subject to change, here is a list of the countries we will be travelling to over the next 11 months: Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Romania, Moldova, Guatemala, Nicaragua. We will be in each country for approximately one month. I won’t know which part of the country I will be in until we arrive and receive our ministry connections.
What will you be doing in each country?
Great question! The answer: I don’t know yet. As World Racers, we have been training to become flexible and willing to serve wherever we are placed. Each ministry connection in each country has different goals and different needs. We will be serving in whatever way best helps the ministry we are connected with. Some of these tasks can include construction work, teaching, working with children/orphans and ministering to women caught in sex trafficking.
What happens next?
I leave my home in Indiana on June 25th (tomorrow!) for Jacksonville, FL where I will spend a few days with my sister and her family. On June 30th I will join my squad in Atlanta, GA for a few days (known as Launch) of further training, information, and commissioning. We officially leave the country on July 3rd and head to Nepal!
Will we be able to follow your story while you are gone?
Definitely! My blog will be the best place to read up on my experience and keep track of where in the world I am (literally). I also hope to be able to send out periodic email updates to give you more specific information on prayer requests, our ministry connections and the places where I am serving. Please note that my goal for this journey is to live in the present and fully lean into what God has for me during this time. That being said, my updates will be intentional, but not necessarily as frequent as some may hope/expect. Please be gracious with me.
You can subscribe to my blog to receive email updates by typing your email into the bar on the left side of this page. Please feel free to leave comments/updates on your own lives in response to what I post. I know God is going to be working in the lives of those at home as well and I want to be able to share in that with you all.
P.S. I am leaving fully-funded! All of the money I need for this journey has been raised! Thank you all for your love and support.
