BIG ANNOUNCMENT: POST RACE PLANS
A lot of people asked me before the world race “what are you doing after the race”
And just about every time I had the same answer:
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m going!”
Month two I started getting hints from the Lord about what that was. First, from a squadmate Isaiah. Next, a friend from Swaziland. After that, google maps and a surprise tag in an Instagram picture reminded me of some buried passions. Finally, at the end of the month, before I spoke out loud what I was considering, I had a one-on-one with one of my squad leaders. On the top floor of a Starbucks in Sofia, Bulgaria, Maddie Goodwin asked me a question.
“Have you ever thought about squad leading for Gap Year?”
Ha Ha Ha.
And then it became real.
He’s a fast-forwarded timeline of this process.
Month 2: Alexis is considering squad leading
Month 3: Alexis says yes to gap squad leading
Month 4: Alexis applies to gap squad lead
Month 6: Alexis has first interview
Month 8: Alexis has second interview
Month 8 Parent Vision trip: Alexis is accepted as a gap year squad leader.
What does all that mean? What is a squad leader? I’m glad you asked.
Basically, what a squad leader does is discipleship. Their ministry is the people on the world race. I LOVE the age group of gap year (18-20 year olds) and I LOVE how passionate gap year racers are. I’ve gotten to meet two squads and wow I love them. I even got lice from team Greater Works in Thailand (hahahaha) because I just couldn’t stay away from them.
This means I’ll be leaving in September 2018 for nine more months! We will be traveling to 3-5 countries over those months. The ministry will look very similar to what I am doing, just structured differently to be more effective for the age group. I don’t officially have a route yet, but I will be somewhere abroad!
I can say with so much confidence that I never would’ve planned this for my life, but here is to another “gap year” (ha ha ha) and obedience and traveling to be the hands and feet. I didn’t know I would love this life of living from a backpack and sharing elbow room with a bunch of people trying to look more like Jesus like I do. I didn’t expect to leave again for nine months in September. I didn’t want to leave my dog and my friends and family again. But, I could never say no to the One that is giving me bigger dreams than I could EVER come up with on my own.
Something I have come to realize is how much it all makes sense. I have zero commitments at home, I have no student loans (praise the Lord), I don’t pay taxes, and I love building relationships. I’ve realized that building relationships is one of the greatest strengths I have. Living life with people is something that my heart and soul crave. I get to teach and learn from other sojourners for nine whole months AGAIN. I get to watch the Lord wreck people and mend them back more whole. I get to lead a group of hungry, obedient, radical, loving, and adventurous young adults in a journey that will change their lives.
HOW COOL IS THAT.
With so much love and excitement,
Alexis
P.S. That also means I’ll be fundraising again! If you want to be a part getting me back on the field before I am even off the field click that “Donate!” button up top! All donations are tax deductible ??
P.P.S. If you want to hear the whole detailed story about how I’ve been called to Squad Leading send ya girl an email or Facebook message!!
P.P.P.S. I’m creating a list of people to email (or snail mail if you’d like) fundraising letters to! Odds are you’re already on the list (CONGRATS), but if you just want to be sure let me know!!
