P Squad Logistics: Me, Stacey and Dan
(We took Dan to the hospital because he wasn’t feeling well after the minibus accident…we decided to multi-task and figure out transportation for the end of the month while we waited for the doctor…that book was our best friend in Africa…thank you Lonely Planet…thank you.)
i remember at training camp when i was asked to do
logistics…i had no idea what i was saying yes to. but i’m so glad i did. my
squad calls our work “logisticizing.� i don’t think it’s a real word. but it
always makes me laugh when someone asks, “are you logisticizing right now?�
haha.
i can confidently say that the word “relationship� adequately sums up my experience doing logistics.
relationship– a
connection, association, or involvement
connection, association, or involvement
logistics has deepened my relationship with the Lord. i have a greater intimacy because of my
experiences. during the race, i had countless moments where i needed God to
“just show up.� there was no other solution. nothing i could research, do, say,
barter, explain, pay, etc. to get
the task done. i simply needed Him to show up. and He ALWAYS does.
experiences. during the race, i had countless moments where i needed God to
“just show up.� there was no other solution. nothing i could research, do, say,
barter, explain, pay, etc. to get
the task done. i simply needed Him to show up. and He ALWAYS does.
one area where He has definitely shown up is whenever we
need visas. when my squad was in Malawi, we had a debrief. that meant my two
fellow logistics partners and i had about five days to get multiple visas for
60+ people. what you need to understand is that i and another logistics person
had been in a serious minibus accident a week prior. so we were NOT operating
at 100%. however, the Lord gave us supernatural strength and a TON of favor.
and after visiting five different embassies for various reasons, we managed to
get the visas and information for future visas that we needed. it’s hard to
express in written word how His hand was in all the details (for example, when three of our ATM
cards were stolen that week), but what is most important is that He showed up.
need visas. when my squad was in Malawi, we had a debrief. that meant my two
fellow logistics partners and i had about five days to get multiple visas for
60+ people. what you need to understand is that i and another logistics person
had been in a serious minibus accident a week prior. so we were NOT operating
at 100%. however, the Lord gave us supernatural strength and a TON of favor.
and after visiting five different embassies for various reasons, we managed to
get the visas and information for future visas that we needed. it’s hard to
express in written word how His hand was in all the details (for example, when three of our ATM
cards were stolen that week), but what is most important is that He showed up.
oh and China visas? haha…we started this process 3 months
before flying to China while my squad was still in Africa. it was during a
month where the teams were spread throughout five different countries. this is
a logistical nightmare because communication is very challenging (and sometimes
non-existent) in Africa. no one was able to get their China visas that month
which put us all in South Africa the following month. some teams got their
visas in Cape Town and others in Johannesburg. and when we flew to the
Philippines at the end of the month we had 20 people still needing their visas.
our squad was going to China after the Philippines.
before flying to China while my squad was still in Africa. it was during a
month where the teams were spread throughout five different countries. this is
a logistical nightmare because communication is very challenging (and sometimes
non-existent) in Africa. no one was able to get their China visas that month
which put us all in South Africa the following month. some teams got their
visas in Cape Town and others in Johannesburg. and when we flew to the
Philippines at the end of the month we had 20 people still needing their visas.
our squad was going to China after the Philippines.
it was a previous squad’s experience that when they applied
for their China visas in the Philippines they had to go in for an interview. so
how do you explain to China why 19 Americans and 1 Irish lassie want to go to
their country without being able to tell them about our love for Jesus or the
organization with whom we were representing? and how do you explain how
everyone knows each other? we didn’t have the luxury of sending a team of 6-7
people to the embassy a week at a time (so that they wouldn’t have everyone’s
passport). it would have made the interview process a whole lot easier….�hey,
we’re just some backpackers that want to see the Great Wall!� our entire squad
had to get a Philippines visa extension which meant i had only two and half
weeks to get China visas done. let me just say this. if this had been month 1-3
of my race i would have been FREAKING OUT! however, by month 8 i had watched
God show up time after time. so i was feeling pretty confident and relaxed.
for their China visas in the Philippines they had to go in for an interview. so
how do you explain to China why 19 Americans and 1 Irish lassie want to go to
their country without being able to tell them about our love for Jesus or the
organization with whom we were representing? and how do you explain how
everyone knows each other? we didn’t have the luxury of sending a team of 6-7
people to the embassy a week at a time (so that they wouldn’t have everyone’s
passport). it would have made the interview process a whole lot easier….�hey,
we’re just some backpackers that want to see the Great Wall!� our entire squad
had to get a Philippines visa extension which meant i had only two and half
weeks to get China visas done. let me just say this. if this had been month 1-3
of my race i would have been FREAKING OUT! however, by month 8 i had watched
God show up time after time. so i was feeling pretty confident and relaxed.
and then…….
all our visa money was stolen about 30 minutes before we
went to apply and pay.
went to apply and pay.
yep…..gone……..ba-bye.
okay, God. and your plan is…
again…i could relay all the details of that day and the days
to come, but the gist of the story is He showed up…yet again. the stolen money
our squad was out (which was a couple thousand dollars) was able to be spread
out within every team and we collectively absorbed the cost….essentially
meaning, we were able to save that amount within that month and the next
month’s budget to account for it. but it gets better. we received all 20 visas
without a single person ever having to step foot inside the Chinese embassy!
the travel agent we were working with was able to represent all of us and they
never asked any questions. thank you God for favor!
to come, but the gist of the story is He showed up…yet again. the stolen money
our squad was out (which was a couple thousand dollars) was able to be spread
out within every team and we collectively absorbed the cost….essentially
meaning, we were able to save that amount within that month and the next
month’s budget to account for it. but it gets better. we received all 20 visas
without a single person ever having to step foot inside the Chinese embassy!
the travel agent we were working with was able to represent all of us and they
never asked any questions. thank you God for favor!
another key relationship
is the one i have with my fellow logistics people on my squad, the squad leaders,
the finance leaders, stateside logistics, government personnel, ministry
contacts, and whomever else the Lord brings across my path. perhaps i can
breakdown each relationship in another blog….because each one has their own
characteristics, qualities, depth and ways of operating. but what i want to get
across is the importance of building the relationship
with these individuals. they are vital to my success just as much as i am
vital to their success. just as i invite the Lord into my circumstances and
tasks, i also invite Him into these relationships.
is the one i have with my fellow logistics people on my squad, the squad leaders,
the finance leaders, stateside logistics, government personnel, ministry
contacts, and whomever else the Lord brings across my path. perhaps i can
breakdown each relationship in another blog….because each one has their own
characteristics, qualities, depth and ways of operating. but what i want to get
across is the importance of building the relationship
with these individuals. they are vital to my success just as much as i am
vital to their success. just as i invite the Lord into my circumstances and
tasks, i also invite Him into these relationships.
this has been the area where a majority of my growth has occurred.
logistics asks of you to build new relationships AND maintain them. it’s not
all about budget worksheets, coordinating transportation, lodging and
transportation costs, squad stats, etc. (although that is another BIG
component).
logistics asks of you to build new relationships AND maintain them. it’s not
all about budget worksheets, coordinating transportation, lodging and
transportation costs, squad stats, etc. (although that is another BIG
component).
i am hearing people say, “it’s about WHO you are called to,
not what you are called to do.� i couldn’t agree more. God designed us
for relationship. that’s why we
exist. to have a relationship with
Him and to have a relationship with each
other.
not what you are called to do.� i couldn’t agree more. God designed us
for relationship. that’s why we
exist. to have a relationship with
Him and to have a relationship with each
other.
i am so thankful for my logistics role. obviously the Lord
knew it would be a way to draw me closer to Himself and His people. and for
that….i am forever grateful. He knows my every need and is always faithful to
“show up� and meet it.
knew it would be a way to draw me closer to Himself and His people. and for
that….i am forever grateful. He knows my every need and is always faithful to
“show up� and meet it.
for those doing
logistics and whomever else may be reading this:
logistics and whomever else may be reading this:
cherish the relationships in your life. cultivate them.
press into them. be Christ in them. at the end of this season you will be able
to look back and recount all the things you did. but at the end of the day the
most important aspect is who you are
in the midst of the journey. God speed.
press into them. be Christ in them. at the end of this season you will be able
to look back and recount all the things you did. but at the end of the day the
most important aspect is who you are
in the midst of the journey. God speed.
