Recap: we are a squad of fifty-four men and women. We go from country to country together and from that our teams of 6 or 7 people go to different ministries. Over the past week we had new team changes, as my last team prepared, we were able to celebrate our four months together on the race. I am so thankful for each person on my last team and what we all went through together. I believe it was a huge growth process for each of us and how we were able to impact one another as we pursue the Kingdom together.
As we moved into debrief the beginning of the month, we knew a lot of change were going to happen with each person. There were going to be new team leaders, new people on different teams, and new squad leaders. The Lord was preparing my heart weeks before debrief happened and even when we got to Ghana. Austin and I had talked in the village about if we were asked to be new squad leaders how would we respond. I was at a place where I knew I was moving into bigger bolder places, but also knew that could happen on a new team dynamic. My heart is for community and doing life together. The more I put time and prayer into a potential squad leading role, I was more open to the idea.
Once we all got to our debrief location, the first night we met as a squad, the Lord told me to pray specifically for the squad as a whole and not just my up-coming team. For my love to grow deeper for each person on my squad. He also told me that I was equipped. I was equipped to encourage each person through the living word of God. People before have affirmed that I was a natural leader, that I need to step into bolder areas, and to not be anxious. Not knowing what all that was suppose to mean, I trust the Lord and want to grow closer to Him. As I step into bigger unknowns, God brings clarity. Clarity does not mean provision. I knew the Lord was calling us to do the World Race in January 2017, that was clear. How $33k was going to be provided, I had no clue. Stepping into things that the Lord is calling me into I want it to be clear, but my faith is growing to trust that the Lord will follow through to provide.
The Lord is faithful. He is providing for us in each step and season. I am not just talking about financial, but in every way possible. He is continuing healing my body from Malaria, giving me spiritual endurance, protecting my marriage, almost being fully funded for the race, and giving me the love of Jesus to give away.
One of the squad leaders pulled Austin and I aside to ask if we would want to be squad leaders. We were and are so excited, we prayed that night to make it clear, but we also got much clarity before that point. We said we would the next day and we are stepping into a different kind of race. We are still doing ministry along side people, but our ministry is the squad, to make sure they are cared for, loved, empowered and fought for daily. We will be with a different team each month, and checking in with teams that don’t have a squad leader present.
I am so excited to step into this unknown that can seem to be overwhelming at times. I know the Lord will have to use His strength through me. The people on my squad deserve to be fought for and to be called into greatness.
So my new team will look a little different than the other teams on my squad. Austin, Luis, Megan and I are on a team. We will be squad leading and be apart to be with other teams. We will be squad leading for the rest of the race, so our team will be the same until the end. I am eager to get to know them as we pursue our squad. Leadership has entrusted us to lead and have already seen so much beauty in what we each bring to the table.
It’s “Ghana” be a different race that what I signed up for, but it will be a better one than what I could’ve ever imagined.
