As a Squad Leader, my primary role on the field is to minister to my squad. Sometimes it’s hard for me to communicate what I’m doing as ‘ministry’ and so I want to do a series of blogs introducing you to the people I minister to – my squad.
This is Sara and she has such a heart to serve and grow.
Here’s a little bit about her.
Q. What is one snack or food back home that you miss the most?
- A Honey ButterChicken Biscuit from Whataburger.
Q. Be honest, do you miss your pets or your parents more?
- I miss Peanut, my pup!
Q. What’s one item you brought that you couldn’t live without?
- Noise cancelling headphones…to drown all these people out. 🙂
Q. Why did you decide to do the Race?
- I felt like the Lord was telling me it the next step in my faith.
Q. What were you doing before the Race?
- Before the race, I worked for the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX. I was on their communications team. I supported their various areas of engagement and helped run logistics for events and interviews.
Q. What country are you looking forward to the most?
- The Lord put India on my heart long before the race. I struggled between two routes, one with India and this one without it. I ended up choosing our current route and told myself I could go to India another time. A month after I was accepted to the race, China got dropped (because of Visa issues) and India was added! It was confirmation that He wanted me to go there all along.
Q. What’s the biggest lesson the Lord has taught you so far on this Race?
- One of the biggest things He’s shown me so far are the various ways He speaks to me. This has allowed for so much growth in many different areas of my faith.
Q. Tell me about a local you’ve met that sticks out the most to you.
- Givens. His father passed away a few weeks before we arrived in Haiti, leaving him orphaned. He was taken in by our ministry host. Givens was one of the most joyful and fun-loving kids we met in Haiti. He always had a huge smile on his face and was constantly cracking us up. His sweet spirit will stay with me always.
Q. What’s one of the best things about being on the Race?
- Ironically, the thing I was the most nervous about… community. People who push you toward the Lord all the time. People you can talk to about anything and can understand exactly where you are. Being surrounded by people who are pursuing the same thing you are 24/7 has been the biggest blessing.
Q. What’s one of the hardest things about being on the Race?
- Nothing is hard per se because the “hard” things always end up leading you to growth. But it does kind of suck not having access to home during big events. One of my best friends had her first baby this month and with such little access to wifi it made it hard to get in touch with her and see photos of her baby.
Q. Has the Race been what you expected it to be?
- I tried to come in with no expectations but it’s far exceeded anything I could’ve imagined. It’s so different from normal life. I get to see the Lord show up in so many ways. Not only in my own life, but also in the lives of my squadmates on a daily basis.
Q. What value do you see in having alumni – those who have done the race before – with you on the field?
- I can’t imagine having done it without alumni. It’s nice to have people show you the ropes and validate the things you are going through. Y’all impart so much wisdom and truth on us and constantly encourage and push us. The Lord has used you so many times to validate what He has been saying to me and I have found confidence in His voice because of you.
Q. Is there anything the world should know?
- Tammy is amazing. My team was lucky to have her with us for our first few weeks on the field. And dang. She has taught me so much about myself and what it looks like to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
This is one of the reasons I do what I do, to be used and be a part of the growth of those around me.
To see more of Sara’s journey (including an awesome video she just made), click here.
