So I’m still support raising.
And something I’ve come to realize is that support raising for squad leading is quite a bit more challenging than it ever was for my original race.
Maybe it’s because then I could say I was raising support to: teach English to kids, to preach in churches in Africa, to help out at orphanges, and to go door to door praying and sharing the gospel. It was easier because I was going on a ‘mission trip’.
But a year after my ‘world race mission trip’ I’m still on the world race but it isn’t a ‘mission trip’ for me anymore, it is my mission. Leading others through this spiritual journey that takes place through a very physical one, is my call from the Lord in this season. And I’ve realized that it’s probably a little more difficlut to raise support because it’s little more difficult for people, who may desire to support me, to actually understand what my ministry is.
So as I raise support for what the Lord has called me to doing with Him, I want to share a bits of my heart and a glimpse into what my life looks like day to day!
As a squad leader I returned to the field with a new group of 34 young men and women who are hunger for more from God and out of life. We are on the field for 9 months total, spending 3 months in 3 different countries, Guatemala, Lesotho, and Cambodia. We are currently in Guatemala, with only 3 short weeks left before heading to South Africa/ Lesotho.
My role as a squad leader is to love and disciple the incredible nuggets of gap g squad.
The squad is broken up into smaller teams, dispersed into different areas of the country to do ministry for the 3 months spent in each country. Myself and my co-leaders travel (individually and sometimes together) to each of the teams, staying with them for a couple weeks at a time. During our time with each team our hope is to encourage them, speaking life and calling them higher into the men and women God has created them to be. We also want to ensure that they are pursuing intimacy, community, and kingdom as a body and as indivuals.
My heart when I visit teams is to meet each person where they’re at with the Lord. I want to empower them in whatever the Lord is asking them to step into. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we’re told “to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”
My heart desire is to see this generation rise up, to operate in the power and authority of Holy Spirit, the humility of Jesus, and the love of the Father. I desire to see this generation not just believe but follow jesus. To be powerully transformed from the culture we have of being kingdom-believers into kingdom- bringers.
My prayer over the lives of those God has entrusted to me to guide to deeper places with Him, is always Ephesians 5:13 “awake o sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you” I desire for myself and all I lead and disciple to be wildly awake to the presence of God, that we might not ever slip into sleep; finding ourselves in a complacent mundane life. For we are children of the light, heirs to the king, to the God who is above all others. __________________________________________________________________
So what do I actually do? What does daily life look like?
So glad you asked!
The biggest thing I do honestly… is follow. I follow the Father as closely as I can every single day. Because I can only give away what is overflow. The father fills us to spill us, I think thats the healthiest way we can pour into our brothers and sisters. I strive to ultimately lead by example. By following well. Because I’m not trying to make more disciples who are like me but disciples who know how to follow Jesus and are being formed to look like Him.
As I follow, I also encourage, anything the Lord gives me, I give away.
I go to ministry everyday with the teams. While they are my main priority I still participate fully in whatever their assigned ministry is. In the first couple weeks I was with a team in chichicastenago, a smaller, mostly Mayan population, town. There we worked on building a church for their host. I found out that I actually love working with cemet. Who knew?
I spent some time with 2 teams in Antigua, we were able to participate in Guatemalas’ independence day traditions; like running into the center square of town to light a torch and run back.
Last week I was able to spend time in Guatemala city with another team whose staying at a YWAM base. There I spent time with the team as they loved on the discipleship school students and partnered with them in their street kids ministries, and sharing encourgaing words and prayer at a battered womens home.
As a squad leader I also have a fair amount of logistically responsibility too…we’ll save that for another day. 😉
Four times within the 9 months we also have all squad time, where the squad gathers together and as a leadership team we make time for the racers to rest and be refreshed. We have worship nights and teachings. We do team debriefings as well as one on one check in’s.
My incredible co-leaders, Ronald and Allison, and our fantastic mentor Elizabeth!
While I haven’t covered everything this role entitles I hope I brought you more clarity to what it is im still doing bouncing around the globe 🙂 If you would feel so led, I would love and so appreciate your prayer and financial support. I currently have $2,351 to raise.
I am crazy grateful for the already $1,149 that’s already been donated! Words could never fully express my heart for the each of you who keep me in your prayers.
Here’s one last picture of the entire squad I have the honor of doing life with!
