Woke up on my sleeping pad next to my co-squad leader (SQL) Lucie. The light streaming into the room of 13 other Gap Year racers sleeping around us on bunks and beds. It’s day one of Squad Leading for the World Race Gap Year program. I remember falling asleep the night before wondering why I had said yes again to a life of smelly clothes and cold showers. A life of miscellaneous food and instant coffee. A life of bugs and hot sweaty nights.
After a few days being with our ministry contact, hearing the reason why God had called them to the Dominican and heart behind their ministry I soon remembered why I had said yes to these next 9 months. After a few days around the squad of 41, 18-21 year olds I was humbled by their passion to serve the Lord and their desire to jump in feet first into whatever the ministry asks of them.
I said yes because once upon a time I was 18 years old. Starting college with big ambitions and a lot of weight on my shoulders to perform well, because, the American Dream depended on it. I would call myself a Christian, but wouldn’t be able to share with you the Gospel, because I didn’t know it myself. Shane Claineborn says, “We knew that the world cannot afford the American dream and that the good news is that there is another dream. We looked to the early church and to the scriptures and to the poor to find it.”
I said yes because of the redemption the Lord has brought in my life since I was that 18 year old girl. I am constantly humbled by the privilege to just learn from the squad I am with and the ability to just walk along side them in this journey, because, I’m still on that journey myself.
This month we are partnering with HOPE for the Dominican Republic. They have a base in Las Yaros Dominican Republic. A getaway in the mountains. Ministry this month looks like going to their community centers for kids 3-11 years old, prayer walks in the community, ground maintenance and projects at their compound, serving meals, cleaning, and holding outreach community events on the weekend.
It’s 90 degrees during the day with a thunderstorm come the afternoon. My clothes already smell and our meals are authentic Dominican cuisine. Tonight that meant hot chocolate and their version of a sweet potato, boiled. Life doesn’t look glamorous, and every day has it’s own challenges as being a missionary and leader, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” Philippians 2: 14-18
