O squad.
Did you know we’re basically family?
OOOk ok. I know that in the World Race world everyone is connected somehow. If you were to put a map together of all the world racers we’d each be like Kevin Bacon and there would probably be less than 7 degrees between each of us.
But here’s the thing: one of the people at the helm of your ship is one of my home team. She’s the one I commiserated with over 3 currencies and awful border crossings, she’s the one who, even though we never were on the same team became one of closest friends on the race.
She’s the one who let me cry and freak out over FaceTime at four in the morning the day I left for Spain and she’s the one who was waiting arms open when I got off the plane 33 hours later.
She’s someone who my phone is never on do not disturb too. Someone I would scrounge money and airline miles to get to if she needed me.
She’s my Abby. She’s in my sacred circle. She’s my people.
And over this next season in her life I’m going to be one of her biggest cheerleaders, I’m going to be in her corner crushing lies that may come up and I’m going to spend time declaring goodness over her.
And since I’m going to be doing those things for her?
I’m going to be doing them for you.
I so wish I could be there to pray over you guys before you launch into this adventure, but since I’m not going to be in Georgia until May, I wanted to leave you guys with a tip, an encouragement and a prayer.
I’ve been racking my brain to think of something that was poignant for me on my race to give to you. something that hit me between the eyes and the first words to come to my brain are just three.
Open your mouth.
That was a statement from my team leader during month four debrief. And it’s so important. If you have an idea; open your mouth. If you have a talent that could benefit the situation; open your mouth. If you see someone needing encouragement; open your mouth. If YOU need encouragement; open your mouth. If you see that your driver is going past where you know you need to go; open your mouth.
In team time, in one on ones, at churches, door to door ministry.
Listen to God, hear him and then open your mouth.
It’s not always easy,but it changes things.
And the encouragement is a reminder. One I needed on the race and needed while in Spain.
The people who are leading you, your squad leaders, coaches, mentors, whoever else has been added to that team:
They are FOR you.
They were praying for you before they knew you. They are going to work tirelessly to know each of you, they have been working tirelessly to know you. They will be on their knees before God on your behalf.
They will cry with you, rejoice with you and sometimes they will give you words that seem harsh but really are just for you.
There might be times when it seems like they aren’t there,or aren’t giving you time but man oh man. They are. There are few of them and many of you.
They are working to give you the tools so you can do this thing, they are going to give you everything they have and more.
My encouragement,my plea, is to never ever forget that those people are for you. Remembering that will change so much.
((So lastly my prayer.))
My prayer for you O squad is that each day on this race you show up. Whether it being moving dirt, playing with kids or sorting clothes in a warehouse. My prayer is that you show up through tears and broken hearts. That you show up through laughter and jokes.That you show up whether bucket showers or not, whether cooking on coals, or a stove. That you show up with your team, your squad and your ministry contacts.
And of course: my prayer is that you allow God to do the thing through you.
I don’t know you guys, but I’m cheering you on.
I’ll be on my knees praying and declaring that this will be 11 months of good things even amidst things that don’t look good.
And maybe, just maybe, you will find a piece (or two or three)of your home team.
