Here we go, it’s almost here. I can’t even believe it. Seems like just yesterday when I heard about the World Race and thought “there’s no way I could do that.” Seems like yesterday that I decided to actually APPLY and then interview to go on the World Race. And truly, it seems like yesterday that I was accepted, quit my job, sold my car, and decided to actually do this thing.
Today marks 9 days until launch, until we leave the US for 11 months. Whoa. The last month has been a good month. Full of awesome memories and also goodbyes. Spent a week in Hawaii with my brother, sister and brother in law, visiting my Dad and Stepmom. Also flew to DC to hang my brother Todd for a weekend. Just got back from a long weekend trip to Oklahoma City and Stillwater to see my best friend Wes and say goodbye to some of my Oklahoma friends. This last week will be spent with family, really just cherishing the time I have left here with them. You know, I’ve never been big about goodbyes, but even for me, it’s still hard, knowing that I won’t spend one holiday with them this next year. I’m so thankful for everyone in my life. I know that the man leaving the US next week is not the same man that will return. The WR is a crucible and I’m up for that challenge.
So mainly I wanted to post a quick blog for my supporters with some pre-launch updates and answer some FAQs. It can be confusing to know the difference between squad and team, what the heck “launch” is, etc. Hopefully this clears it up!
Timeline
June 29th morning: flying from Denver International Airport to Atlanta to meet up with World Race Leaders and support staff for some initial training
July 3rd: fly to our first country
**Notice how I didn’t tell you what our first country was? It was going to be Albania, but a few weeks back we were told Albania will now be pushed back to our 2nd or 3rd country and be replaced by a new country. Because we will no longer be going to Turkey, it’s likely our 1st country will be something not on our original route. It will be in Eastern Europe.
Routes
Routes are the order and list of the 11 different nations my squad and I (E Squad) will be visiting and when in the year we’ll be there. The World Race currently launches at various times throughout the year. They generally launch squads in January, July, and September, and the program is doing the same in 2014. During each launch period there can be 3-4 different routes. For example, in July 2014, there are four different routes. My squad and I will be traveling on route #2 which takes us to Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, but there are three other squads serving on three other different routes. Also, this is only our tentative route. The countries we serve in could and probably will change based on safety or need priority in a given country.
Teams and Squads
Each route is made up of a squad. Squads are normally 50-70 people of 21-35 year old followers of Christ who are all seeking to serve and see God’s kingdom brought to earth and magnified. Squads travel from country-to-country and sometimes serve as entire group at a ministry site together for the entire month. Every 2 or so months the squad goes through a process called debrief. During debrief we get together in one location for a few days to unwind and re-charge, talking about ministry successes and failures, and just enjoying fellowship together. WR alumni and staff from the states will often visit during debrief to teach, train and enjoy time with the squads.
Each squad of 45-60 people is made of smaller teams of 6-8 people. These teams do life together 24/7 on the mission field. Depending on the needs of the nations and ministry contacts we serve, a team could be alone at a ministry site or partnered with one or more other teams (either from the same squad or different squads who happen to be in the same area that month). Sometimes, all the teams from a squad get to serve together in one of the countries for a month.
My team is called No Greater Love and is made up of some amazing people who are as excited as I am about this! Keep us all in your prayers and be sure to follow their blogs as well to get a fuller idea of what our time on the Race looks like.
Launch
On June 29th, my entire squad will meet in Atlanta and go through a few last days of training and preparation before we head to the mission field. That will be our launch city because once those last few days are complete we will launch, go, embark on our journey.
I appreciate you all so much, and I hope this blog cleared up any confusion and brought you up to speed on everything.
A final thought is something that’s been on my heart lately. God doesn’t just use missionaries and preachers to bring the kingdom to earth. I think an important part of all of our lives as Christians is to find out how to be like Jesus wherever we’re at. We have to choose to glorify Christ in living each day, hour, minute, and SECOND like him. Sometimes that’s hard to do. Hard to know where to start or how that looks practically in today’s world. I’d encourage you to dig into the Word and ask God to show you how he wants you to be part of his plan. Look at how Jesus lived on earth and then try to emulate that. It doesn’t mean being perfect, but it does mean getting closer and closer in likeness to him each day. For some it’s teaching high schoolers. For others it’s coaching a youth soccer team. And for me it’s the World Race.
-Matt
