An email blaring loud in my face says, “Congratulations, you’ve officially been accepted as a January Squad Leader!” I wish I could fully bring you in on all of the emotion, the thoughts, the shock, the lack of thoughts…everything, I wish I could fully bring you in on ALL of it.
Since I did the World Race back in 2012, there was always this hidden piece of me that wanted to squad lead. I thought about it, would briefly talk about it (but not too much just in case it never happened), and hear people tell me I should do it. The World Race is something that I will always support and will always have a piece of my heart..it’s my church, it’s what led me to the Lord, and what led me to a greater understanding of myself. The reason I always had this desire on my heart to Squad Lead is because I just have this burning passion in my heart that EVERYONE have the same opportunity that I had. Whoa, it’s so good you guys. Not just the race, but understanding your identity. I want everyone to know that.
This past month I had the opportunity to train two squads at training camp for the first time since my own training camp in 2012. J squad showed up and no joke, things started to flood back to me…my spirit absolutely began to come alive JUST FROM watching other people choose in, choose one another, and choose God. Being able to walk along side of them in this microscopic time in their journey just set my heart on fire..I didn’t know if this was just some “summer camp high” I was getting, but it was intoxicating. I remember the night they went home and I just grieved them..I tried coping and ignoring it, but God had other plans for me. I was crying and slightly confused, was God trying to seriously suggest that I should apply for squad leading? I made myself sit down at 1am and write down a list of why I want to even apply..is this something out of my flesh, for my own desires, or is this even something that is of God.
Every single sentence was drenched with God’s love for 40 people that are going to the nations. Week two came and I started to train L squad..this week was hard. We physically were tired, sick, and it wasn’t fun anymore..I didn’t have the “summer camp high.” But you know what’s even better about that?? It’s the fact that even in the thick of it, I knew in the core of my being that I still wanted to go. I still wanted to apply and interview for the position.
Here I am. It happened. I applied and over the course of a couple interviews I found out today that I was accepted to go out and squad lead in January 2015. I’ll be leaving for 5 months leading and traveling with 40-50 people who have a heart for the nations and to see the world changed for His kingdom. I can’t imagine a better way to kick off a year.
To my support team that has been with me from the beginning, thank you. Thank you for your prayers, your financial support, your heart, your time, and just for being you. I’ll be fundraising $3,500 (that includes insurance, yay!) if you feel called to help financially. Checks can be made to Adventures in Missions with my name written in the memo or click here to donate online: https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=Ashley%20Francis
Or if you feel called to be a part of a prayer team for me, that would honestly mean the world.
I love you all.
Thank you for everything.
Ash
