Next Steps?
I’m going back on the field y’allllllllllll!
YUP!
Yes I’ve been gone for 11 months, but the Lords not done with me on the field yet.
Here’s what’s going down: I’m going back out on to Squad Lead starting in mid January with a brand new squad 🙂
I’ll be home for Thanksgiving till mid January and then I’ll head back out — only for 5 months with the squad, not an entire 11 more months!
So crazy or exciting?
Let me explain…
When I started this year, I surrendered the full 11 months to the Lord and to always be present. I wasn’t going to worry about December or what job awaited my application after this was all said and done. During month 7 in Mozambique, I realized that I hadn’t thought to ask the Lord WHEN I should start asking about my future and my next steps. {I’m still working on my dreaming guys… It’s a struggle}
So I started praying about it… Because I want to be a daughter that is always asking ‘what’s next’, no matter how unhappy or joyful I am in a position, season, city, or job.
I don’t want to miss it.
I don’t want to waste time where the Lord doesn’t want me.
I want to always be asking ‘is this where you STILL want me?’
I just want to always be asking. Period.
During debrief in Cambodia, the Lord handed me an opportunity that I hadn’t even considered; I was asked through my Squad Mentor if I wanted to Squad Lead starting in January ‘17.
Yeah… Like hop back on the field just 6 weeks after I get home to lead another squad… Whattttttttt?!?
When I was asked, I was given a week to think/pray/talk it out and apply by Aug 8th. That week was ALOT of praying and talking it out with the Lord.
My concerns were:
1. if 6 weeks between re-entry and launching again is a healthy amount of time to process, rest, and see my people before I hopped on a plane again.
2. If I had what it takes? Can I disciple someone? Can I come alongside 50+ Racers and give all I have to offer?
3. Is this what I want to do?
4. Again.. Can I really do this?
5. Can I raise funds again for this?
Self doubt, concern, & fears all rose up…
But I asked and kept getting the go ahead to apply.
He wasn’t telling me that I would get it, He asked me to apply… After that I had no idea.
So I applied.
Then I waited…for like 2 months…
which was a long 2 months of continual surrender of all things I wanted and hoped for, but giving them over to a Father that knew best. If this is what He wanted, GREAT! If not… Then there is something else He wants me to do.
Then last month I was asked for an interview, and 3 days later I was accepted and asked to Squad Lead Squad Q launching January 2017.
Yeah.
The interview was so funny compared to any interview I’ve been apart of. I was in a hostel room in ChaingMai, Thailand, at 9 pm talking over FaceTime about what the Lord is doing in my heart. It wasn’t about my strengths, weaknesses, past job titles, or salary, just my heart. We talked about my heart for discipleship, what my vision for a squad looks like, steps to more intimacy with the Lord, and my biggest fears where Satan wins a lot of the time. It was a conversation, not just an interview. I was honest and real about where I was… because I’m not being asked to do this for things I’m not, but what I do have. Amen?
So… Guess what?! After lots of prayer and hashing it out with the Lord,
I accepted to Squad Lead starting January 2017!
World Race Round #2 here I come!
So What Am I Going to be Doing?
{Glad you asked!}
I’ll walk this squad through the logistical side of the Race; ministry, hosts, traveling across countries, team dynamics, transitions, etc.
I’m a vet and experience helps when 50+ people are trying to safely travel through 11 countries in 1 year. An ‘alum racer’ is needed to get everyone on their feet and build confidence that they can travel AND change the world!
There will be multiple squad leaders that will be on my team for this 5 months as well. My two teammates will be Alyssa Van Arnam (alyssavanarnam.theworldrace.org), and Cameron (cameronnaylor.theworldrace.org) an alum Racer that returned from his Race in July. I will have the same mentor from this year on the Race, and I will have another set of Coaches. I’m so excited to be with community from this year that know what I’ve walked through + bring in new people that will make this team the best! It’s going to be such a great leadership team!
What am I Most Excited About?
I’m excited to speak into the heart.. Gosh, it’s gonna be so good!
I’ve been given a chance to lead the next group of Racers into a year they have expectations about, but have no idea what the Lord is going to do in them. They’ve signed up for serving, growth, healing, and surrender in every area of their mind and heart… they just don’t know it yet!
I’ve been asked to sit with them in their present walks, walk with them through hard places, and push them forward into a unknown freedom with the Lord.
This year is about a personal relationship with the Father and I’m excited to share what He did in me, because I gave Him the space. I don’t think you can get more relatable than ‘well 6 months ago I was going through this exact same thing… Honestly.’
I’ve done it, I’m still doing it… Come join me!
I’m excited to be used to speak life into the squads gifts, strengths, and identity. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people speaking affirmation over me over and over.
Praise the Lord for community He gives us!
I’m asked to disciple, encourage, affirm, build up, challenge, and motivate this next generation that Jesus REALLY is worth it. What He gives REALLY is all He promises if we accept His full gifts.
HOW DID I GET THIS HONOR?!?!?
The Lord sees me trustworthy to lead a group of people, when 11 months ago I didn’t see myself capable of leading anyone!
In the words of my Mama, ‘this year wasn’t just about you and all that You’ve learned, but also how you are using that for this next season in leading.’
She’s right guys… SOOOOOOO right!
So What Do I Need Now?
I just ask that you pray.
I’ve been so blessed to have your support in prayer, through finances, and emotionally throughout this whole year. Without you, I wouldn’t be on this end ready to head out again!
I do ask that you pray and ask the Lord if you want to partner with me financially.
This next chapter with the Race is another season of support raising, but I know the Lord will show up and provide.
I’m asked to raise $6500 for 5 months on the field + traveling to two debriefs in month 8 and the end of month 11. This will cover travel, food, lodging, transportation, etc while I’m on the Race!
{My blog has been reset, so you can give by clicking ‘Donate’ in the Menu tab to the ← left or on the top of this page. This is tax deductible and you can give monthly or by one time donation}
Again, pray about HOW you feel led to support me!
Most importantly, thank you for your constant support, encouragement, and prayers this year. The Lord has blessed me with the best community I could have asked for…
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
From Rainy Indonesia, Anna
