2/15/18
Chiangmai, Thailand
Change. It is inevitable. It can be scary and stressful for some. It can be exciting and gladly anticipated by others. Either way, it’s something we can’t avoid in life, and it’s definitely something that is the norm on the World Race.
If you read a previous blog I wrote, you would have read that we had team changes coming up and leadership changes in our squad. When we left the United States in October, our squad was split into 7 teams. Each team had a team leader and in addition to these leaders were our 2 wonderful alumni squad leaders who had been on the World Race before and would come out with us, visit different teams throughout each month, and empower/encourage us before they had to return to the states at the end of month 5 (Thailand). So for the first 4 months of our journey on the World Race, we have been with the same team everyday. At the end of month 4, we were in Cambodia for Debrief and we were put into new teams for the next upcoming months. This was an inevitable change because our alumni squad leaders were headed back to the states at the end of next month and had to “raise up” 4 new squad leaders from our squad to take their places.
We knew changes were coming, but we really didn’t know what that would look like. There was a chance we could be with some of our teammates from the first team, and there was a chance we wouldn’t be with any of the individuals we had spent the first 4 months with, learning with, growing with, ministering with, crying with, laughing with, talking with, and loving. My team and I had talked about the changes and started preparing for the possibility of us being separated and finding peace in that. That was emotionally tough, but I knew God had good plans for each of us going forward, no matter what the next season looked like.
A few days before they announced our new teams, leadership approached me and told me that I was no longer going to be a team leader. They said I had done a great job the past months, but the season of me being a team leader was over. Luckily, I had just a conversation with my friend, Bry, about how I would feel in just about any scenario for upcoming team changes, and the Lord had shown me the blessing in any scenario and given me a peace about anything that could happen. Because of this, I think I was a little more accepting of stepping down and being open to what the Lord had for me in the next season. Little did I know that a couple days later leadership would approach me again and ask me if I would want to be a squad leader. I was extremely honored, humbled, and excited!
So that brings me to where I am now and what that has looked like this month in Thailand. I’ve been with my new team, the other raised up squad leaders, who are RJ, Kayla, and Amy. RJ can be described as passionate, joyous, and a worshipper. Kayla is humble, intentional, and kind. Amy is extremely loving and encouraging. All of them are marked by their caring nature and being a safe place to land. I am so excited to be on this journey with them by my side! Also, fun fact for you- RJ and Kayla are married 🙂 Together, we spent the first week in Chiangmai with our mentor, Jeremy, and our alumni squad leaders, Hana Beth and Charmagne, doing trainings on various things to prepare us for when they leave. This week Amy & I have been with Charmagne visiting a team whose ministry is painting/remodeling a hostel that Adventures in Missions just bought here in the city. RJ & Kayla have been with Hana Beth visiting another team who has been doing a lot of various projects in different cities/ the jungle of Thailand. Sunday we will leave here and will travel a couple hours to visit a different team and work with them at the ministry they have been assigned for the month.
All that being said, God has been walking me through this changing of seasons. There are times I really miss being with my first team, times I am so pumped about my new team, times I feel unequipped, times I feel confident in where He has me, times I feel a little overwhelmed, and times I am so thankful. Regardless of my feelings, my desire and prayer is that I would always seek Him first because I really do want to be a good leader for my squad. I love them and I don’t want to let them down, but I know I will probably make mistakes and need some grace. What God has been showing me lately has been really cool though….
I’ve been reading my bible in chronological order since Day 1 of the race, and right now I just finished Judges and I’m in 1 Samuel. In history, Israel is transitioning between judges to kings as leaders. I’ve read how God calls men like Gideon, Samuel, Saul, and now David to be the leader of His chosen people, His special possession. I’ve seen a reoccurring theme of how not all these men were necessarily equipped to be a leader, or even who the people might have envisioned as their leader, but when obedient to God, their nation would prosper. Over and over, story after story, God is with His people when they are seeking Him. He goes before them, fights for them, provides for them, protects them, time after time…all when they are obedient to Him. It’s been really cool to see how that relates to my current situation. I am not called to be a leader because I am the most qualified or the best, but if I choose to be obedient, seek His heart above all else, and listen to His voice, I can fully trust He will lead our squad with excellence and love. It’s not about me, it’s about Him. That’s always a good reminder.
The changing of seasons for me is here, and He has already begun pouring out His goodness and faithfulness. I’m excited for the adventure yet to come and to continue this journey with the Lord as my shepherd. When I don’t know the answers, I’m comforted by knowing He is with me and He’s got ‘em.
Stay tuned… 🙂
Also, meet my team!
From left to right: RJ, Amy, myself, Kayla
Left to right: RJ, Amy, myself & Kayla
Left to right:Kayla, Amy, myself & RJ
