On the WR they have this thing called Manistry. Which is where they separate the guys and girls for a month and we do ministry that is gender specific. This is most conducive in Thailand where the woman are better suited for ministry in the "sex slave" industry. However we did ours in Guatemala. Our ladies stayed in Antigua, and we men headed of to Puerto Barrios. I was totally honored in that the Squad leaders asked me if I would lead Manistry month. I had not been in a leadership position on the race, and was grateful for the opportunity to give it a shot.
Leadership on the race involves interacting with our ministry contact before arriving and setting up the details of each ministry site. Also arranging travel and cost is a part of the leadership role. Lastly, leaders are asked to spear head and facilitate feedback. (To those who don't know what feedback is, in its basic form its where you get "feedback" on your life, how you act, talk, think, attitudes, perceptions, etc. Its a time where people are called "up" into the best version of themselves.) I was excited to have the opportunity to lead, and to lead our men, well that was even better!
While nothing is ever all its cracked up to be, and while nothing is ever as bad as if feels in the moment, I have jotted down some take aways that made leading Manistry one of my highlights of the race.
-If it doesn't hurt, you might not be leading
Leadership always costs something, and if the cost is zero, odds are the influence is as well.
-Second guessing yourself is part of it when you are goign somewhere you've never been.
I seemed to always stop and ask myself, did I handle that correctly, was that the best possible outcome?
-Feeling lost is part of finding new places.
Its not likely to go some place you've never been and find old landmarks.
-Non-verbal communication is huge.
A caring smile helps insulate a controversial decision.
-I have what it takes.
Manistry helped me believe in myself.
-Moses was a "man of great influence" and "most humble man on earth"
Being influential and confident is not arrogance.
For better understanding on this my friend Majil Franz nails this relationship in her blog
http://majilfranz.theworldrace.org/?filename=mistaken-identity
-When everybody agrees with you, the task is management only.
Leadership is the ability to influence for change. (John Maxwell)
-Always rely on the Holy Spirit, he has the best ideas and discernment.
~Matt~
