My third great, cross-country travel day is in the books. So far we’ve traveled from Guatemala straight into Panama as a squad. It’s a pretty cool thing. It’s also a pretty dang hard thing. We’ve had our fair share of irritating experiences so far, and our fair share of tough situations. A few close calls. We don’t by any means do this by ourselves, though. Not even close. I think it’s time I shed some light on this mysterious, magical world of logistics leading.
Before the Race I would simply tell people that logistics leaders handle travel for the squad. In the strictest sense, that’s true. The problem is how simple that makes it sound. We also handle planning debriefs (time for the squad to sit back and process/rest before heading to another country), a great deal of finances, and supporting our squad leaders the best we can.
Like I said, though, we don’t do this alone. Our squad leaders are both fantastic and instrumental in this process. The logistics staff back at Adventures In Missions also does so much of the ground work that we usually only have to make sure we get places on time to get where we’re going. Kyle and I are not wizards of logistics. We operate with a great deal of help. But mostly our help comes straight from God. Because only He could make some of this crazy stuff work.
I sometimes picture logistics leading as somewhat of a Rube Goldberg machine held together with gum and duct tape. It’s a process that has a lot of moving parts and has potential to blow up in your face. However, when it works out it is absolutely amazing. Having to change plans on the fly, help care for terribly sick squad mates on the charter bus as we’re changing countries, encountering overly enthusiastic bag checkers at border crossings, or even haggling prices for 4 or 5 taxis to get to the bus station. We argue and converse with people about prices, we make several trips to bus stations and offices. Making sure customs forms are filled out correctly and completely. We’ve spent a number of hours at 6 different countries’ border crossings. Running back and forth between the back and the front of our 46 person group, trying to make sure everything is running smoothly. Finding hostels that can hold everyone or scouting to make sure there is something to eat in the area, excluding street food. Essentially these days are game time for Kyle and I. We try our hardest to rise to the task.
It isn’t all stress, sweat, and running though. Sometimes it’s outright hilarious. Like leaving the Guatemalan airport to see a sign with my name on it being held by a short guy named Gustavo. Having a Panamanian bag checker take my customs form without checking my bag, all the while holding his finger to his lips as if to say “You seem cool, don’t tell anyone I didn’t look through your stuff.” Sitting in a somewhat shady hostel in El Salvador in the middle of the night trying to answer emails when three nuns and a priest walk by and give you the slightest of nods. Trying to negotiate rooms with the desk clerk at a Costa Rican hostel who seemed pretty high.
Then there is my personal favorite, the Costa Rican taxi driver. We had just arrived in Costa Rica on the Tica bus and were milling around to try and get our bags. Half of our group had already come through and we assumed had already headed to their ministries. It was the middle of the night and we were all exhausted. Our phones were out of minutes and we needed to find a place to stay/find our other squad leader. It was gonna be a chore. I was walking to a chair to dig through my backpack for my luggage ticket when I look over and see a group of taxi drivers standing outside a side door. Normally taxi drivers are a loud, annoying group who will do just about anything to give you a ride. So I naturally ignored them as they began to talk to me.
I had just turned around when I hear one say “Seth?” I paused. Then I looked at him. He said “Seth??” with more urgency. “Seth?” I said questioningly back at him. “Seth?” he said in response, a little more conviction now. We could have done this for hours. I was understandably confused. No one can really pronounce my name in Central America, much less know it by looking at me. This seemed like a God thing, so I walked over. He had a sign with my name on it and one of our squad leaders names on it. Then he had a note that he handed to me. It said something to the effect of:
“Seth,
We’re all staying at the Aldea Hostel. All these taxi drivers are here to take you guys there. It’s already been handled. See you guys there.
Kyle”
So, on the whim of a random piece of paper…. off we went.
I could sit here and make it sound like logistics is some horrible game of chance. Or that it’s a ridiculous ride full of hilarity and once in a lifetime experiences. I could even make it sound like a job that takes its toll on Kyle and I. But it’s none of those things.
Logistics is a ministry. It’s a very specific ministry, meant for our squad alone. It’s a way for Kyle and I to love W squad the best way we know how, by handling all the little details. By making sure the squad doesn’t have to worry about getting from country to country, because we’re gonna take care of it. By allowing the squad and team leaders to focus on everyone’s personal growth and spiritual well being, because we’ve got it handled. By dealing with the bus stations and border crossings so no one has to run around confused. By letting the squad focus on what God has for them in the moment, because He made Kyle and I specifically for this purpose.
The one other thing I would add about logistics is the most important thing about logistics, is that it is a great place for God to show up. For Him to show just how awesome He is. Logistics is teaching me a great deal of faith and reliance on God. It’s teaching me that sometimes I’m not entirely sure that this bus driver is gonna take me where I need to go, but God is with me so it’s gonna work. That maybe we’ll encounter some kind of trouble at the border that makes one of us hang back, but God will deal with it. I’m being taught to pray for strength, protection, and a path with every logistical situation. And I’m praising Him with every single country we get through, or bus that goes where we want it, or every time we got somewhere right when we needed to. Because there is no way I could do this on my own.
So for any future logistics leader (and I think every current or former logisticizer will agree with me here), remember that your roll is a ministry. You will be frustrated. You will run into walls. Your squad may get on your nerves sometimes. You may have to consult Google more than you feel comfortable with. You may head into a travel day half cocked, with no idea what’s going on. But the one thing you always need to remember is that God is with you. He may let you sweat it out a bit, but He always comes through. Sometimes in hilariously creative ways. You’ll do great!
As I start month 3 and take a few days before I start thinking about month 4, I am thanking the good Lord for His hand on my life. He made me for this role, and I'm enjoying the heck out of it.
Otherwise we’d still be in Guatemala.
Seth
