I had an incredible month in Guatemala. Nothing like what I expected but I learned so much. Coming back out for a second race at first wasn’t too appealing. Sleeping in strange places, eating whatever is served, and starting over with a new group of people that I don’t know didn’t seem so fun as I arrived in Guatemala. Not that I didn’t like the people I was with but I didn’t know them and they really didn’t know me.
The process of transition is rarely, if ever, easy but it is necessary. Michael Hindes, my second earthly father speaks often on transitions by using a metaphor about putting on a bigger coat. Stepping into something that you aren’t necessarily big enough for or ready for but doing it because God will grow you into your new coat. i totally feel like I am putting on a much bigger coat with being a squad leader.
I led some last year on my race but this is so different. My leadership last year involved people that I was comfortable with. I knew so much about my last squad by the time I took over leading them, I knew their quirks, likes, dislikes, things to avoid, ways to confront and I especially knew how they liked to worship and enter the presence of God. We had been through months of life together and we had mutual respect.
This go round is so different. I am their leader solely because God and the leaders of AIM have named me and Gretchen their leaders. We still have to get to know each other and they still have to learn to trust and follow my leadership.
Many people view leaders as someone who is upfront barking all of the orders and making things happen. While I do feel like I bark a lot sometimes the Lord led me into a quiet mode of leadership this past month.
I spent the month with Team Fuego, led by Tiffany Berkowitz and Team Azariah, led by Kaleb Poth. I found myself in the background of everything as we travelled to and began ministry with Servant Ministries in Camotan, Guatemala. I found that my goal was for the leaders and the teams to be able to own their time in Camotan, so I stayed silent. I allowed the team leaders to communicate with our contact so much that half way through the month our contact was clueless as to who I was and what my purpose was for the teams, that was humbling! I often felt like a fly on the wall, looking in from the outside as the Lord began a significant transition in all 12 World Racers lives. At times I was the pesky fly buzzing in to point things out and bring confrontations to the surface. At times I was asked for wisdom in certain situations but other than that I tried my best to be in the background.
Our squad spent five days in Antigua, Guatemala doing a spontaneous debrief. We were scheduled to leave Guatemala for Nicaragua but in order to get there had to pass through Honduras. Honduras has been in a time of turmoil as their president was removed. The safety of the passing through Honduras was a big concern of ours so we decided to stay put in Guatemala for a while longer. Lucky for us as a squad we were able to spend time in Antigua with the October 2008 squad, Michael and Kathy Hindes, Dr. Gary, Matt Snyder (who was on my race last year) and Allison Johnston. We were able to worship together and learn together, it was so incredibly refreshing. I loved seeing the freedom that the October racers walk in, they are free in the Spirit of Christ and they have no problem dancing, singing and prophesying in worship.
Crazy to see how the Lord can work good out of the chaos of Honduras. Had there not been problems there we would have not had time with the October squad and the AIM staff. Thank you October squad for encouraging the June squad, your willingness to love on us and share your journey with us was refreshing and encouraging.
