Hey everybody! Its been a hot while since I’ve last posted anything. I believe my last post was “Fully Funded” and since then it has just been waiting really for this moment to come.
Before I say anything else, I want you all to know that it is because of you and the gracious Lord that I am here. Your prayers and financial support have allowed me to go on this amazing journey and with out you I wouldn’t be here. That being said, I want you all to know you are a part of my support family and you are very important to me. I care about you all and I want to do my best to keep you informed of what is happening in my life and the lives of others on this journey. Therefore, expect updates from me, beginning now, weekly. 😀
SO… where to begin? I LAUNCH FOR THE WORLD RACE GAP YEAR IN 3 DAYS!! XD XD XD
How are you feeling, you ask? Well honestly go on your phone and click on every yellow faced emoji and that’s basically how I’m feeling. Haha
Of course Im super excited! I can’t wait to embark on this journey and live with some amazing peeps I’ve been getting to know over this past year. I can’t wait to see them in person and hug them all physically! I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do and how much I’m going to change and grow during this season.
Then of course Im super sad about leaving the family I’ve lived with for the past 19 years of my life. I know when it comes to saying goodbyes in 3 days time, Im going to be a huge emotional mess. Ive already cried when I had to leave my doggies behind in NJ. I also said goodbye to some good friends over the past few days and that was sad too.
Then again, I’m honestly (yes excited) but also terrified to step out of my comfort zone and into the unknown. I know it’s going to be hard. Theres no doubt in my mind that there are going to be days where I’ll break down into a ball and cry; either because I’m tired, hot, sweaty, or cold, missing my family, my bed and my hot showers, etc. Plus, I don’t know what this year is going to look like with COVID19 and all. Who knows? Our routes may change in January or we may not go out into the world at all.
So many unknowns and so many emotions. As a human, I can’t deal with them all alone. It’s too much. That’s why Im so thrilled to say, Im not alone, I have the King of the universe by my side. His promises are these…
Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength, my shield, from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 “Do not be afraid for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown.”
Philippians 4:13 “ For I can do everything through christ who gives me strength.”
1 Cor 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
John 8:36 “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
So yeah! I have a lot of feelers but Im trying to give them all back to the Lord. 🙂
Before I log off, I just want to remind/tell you about what’s going on this fall semester.
Due to covid, we will not be launching to different countries in September. In 3 days time, I will be arriving on the Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainesville Georgia. Here I will be doing 3 months of discipleship training.
For the first month, we will be camping and taking bucket showers. (Sounds nice right? Lol) Then once it starts getting colder, they will be moving us into lodgings they have made and we will be able to have actual showers because they have created a facility in the parking lot for that too.
(The reason they are having to create lodgings and showers is due to covid. Before covid, people did not live on the base. They only worked, held training camp, and then launched.)
Come January, they are hoping the world will be more open and that we will be able to launch to our countries. However, we cannot not know for sure whether or not this will happen. Our routes could be changed or we may not be able to launch at all and will instead do national work.
Upon our arrival on campus, we cannot leave the base for at least the first month. For the first 2 weeks, we will be quarantined with our teams alone, then after that join with our whole squad. We also will not be able to join with other squads for corona purposes and because we wouldn’t be with them if we were actually on the field, as they would have different routes. Adventures in Missions is taking much precaution to ensure that everyone remains safe and healthy on campus. To some of us this is an annoyance, to others it is a reassurance, but we all have to deal with it so we will make the best of what we have.
This is all the info I know pre arrival. When I experience myself over the course of the next few weeks, I’ll let you guys know more. 🙂
One last thing I totally forgot to mention!! (And I guess it’s kinda important)
Leaders/teams!!!
So on campus, I will be doing life with 34 other people. 10 being leaders and 24 being racers. So the leader ladder goes like this:
Top – Coaches – kinda like the elders of a church. It’s a married couple that’s older and more mature in life, age, and their faith walk.
Squad mentor – Normal adult leader – they have walked with us before launch therefore we know a leader before going on campus.
Squad leaders – each squad leader is assigned 1-2 teams to pour into. They’re generally at least 21 and have had legit training to lead the squad.
Bottom – Alumni team leaders – Pours into the teams. They handle the team logistics and guide us in our spiritual walks. They are more our friends.
Then you have the squad and the teams:
Squad – the whole group of people.
Teams – a group of 5-8 peeps out of the whole squad.
Think of it this way: My team is my family and my squad is my extended family.
I explained all this to you now so you will know what Im talking about in the future. I probably will talk about my team a lot and I will introduce you all to them later. 🙂
And that’s it!! 😀
Thank you for putting up with all my craziness. Forgive me if I overloaded you. Im just everywhere right now. Haha
Please be praying for my family as I leave them – Pray they will adjust alright and be ok without me. Pray for me and all my squad mates – That we just have more excitement than anything else. That we all fully rely on Jesus in all this and give all our cares to him. You can pray for their families too. And pray for all our leaders who will be leading us over the course of the next few months.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Im praying for you all as well.
Lots of Love,
Alex 🙂
P.S. Here’s 2 pics with me and all my gear. It was a hassle to make it all fit. Lol 😀
