During Month 3 in Nicaragua, God told me that I was going to be a Squad Leader. He was pretty vague about it. He didn't tell me if I was going to be a Raised Up Squad Leader on my own Race or an Alumni Squad Leader for a different one. I decided to wait it out. When I wasn't raised up, I knew God was calling me to be an Alumni Squad Leader. It was still pretty early in my Race, so I didn't really pursue the notion. Besides, I was too busy with enjoying the Race and Team Leading to think about what was next!
I tucked the idea of Squad Leading away. Four months went by. From time to time, I'd receive confirmations. I looked at them as just little reminders that God was planning out my future while I stayed focused and present on the Race. Then, in Month 9 in Nepal, I received an e-mail from our incredible Squad Mentor, Hope asking me to consider Squad Leading for a July or September Route. That was my last confirmation, God's "go-ahead" in a sense, for me to pursue this.
After praying and talking to my family and closest friends, I decided that I would leave in September. I filled out the application, had my first two interviews while I was still on the Race, had my last interview the first week I was home, and was accepted the same day! It was set. I would leave in September, be gone for five months, be back by February, get a job, and start paying off my student loans.
While I was at church on the first Sunday I was home, I was asked if I would speak about my Race on June 29th which was yesterday! Instead of just telling the congregation what I did, I decided to share three things that I learned on the Race:
- Sometimes, you have to let God interrupt you. I told them about LiLi in Vietnam. My friend, Ashley and I were out for a run in Ho Chi Minh when He interrupted us with LiLi. She was the biggest blessing that month. One interruption lead to spending time with her and bringing her breakfast in the park every morning.
- Sometimes, you just have to be still. I told them about the time in Luang Prabang, Laos. We had just arrived via an overnight bus. It was early in the morning, and we had no place to stay. A few Teammates and I walked around looking for a guest house in our budget while the rest stayed with our bags. We couldn't find anything within our budget, but while we were out, a man drove by the Teammates with the bags, handed them a card, and said that he had rooms available for $5 per person, our budget exactly! We were out searching, but it turns out that we just needed to be still because God was going to bring what we needed to us.
- Sometimes, you just have to put your hope in God. Okay. That's something you need to do ALL the time, but I had to make it work with my "Sometimes" theme. On the Race, there are going to be months, ministries, and Teams that ya just don't like, but instead of putting your hope in NEXT month, your NEXT ministry, or your NEXT Team, you have to CHOOSE to put your hope and joy in the Lord at the moment. God is I AM, not I WILL BE. You might not like where you are right at the moment, but if you're always looking forward, you're going to miss what God has for you in the now.
So, while I was preparing my sermon for Sunday during the week, God made me practice what I was about to preach. I received an e-mail from Bill Swan, the Director of Field of Leadership saying that he wanted to talk to me about my upcoming role as Squad Leader and "an awesome opportunity". Okay. What is this about? So, I called him.
He asked if I would consider Squad Leading one of the first World Race Gap Years instead of a regular World Race. Instead of being gone five months, I would be gone for nine. Instead of being back by February, I'll be back by May. Instead of leading 21-35 year olds, I'll be leading 18-22 year olds. Instead of staying for only half the trip like a typical World Race, I'll stay with the Squad for the whole stankin' thing.
I ACCEPTED. I am beyond excited about this new experience and honored that Adventures in Missions saw me fit for the job at-hand!
So, God interrupted my plans of being back by February and finding a job. He is asking me to be still during these three months at home and spend time in His presence while He prepares me, equips me, and leads me as I get ready to lead others. He is requiring me to put my hope in HIm. Five months isn't that long of a time, so I was already looking forward to coming home again. I thought to myself, "If I can only make it to February, I'll be alright." But nine months?! That's almost double. It's pushing me to put my hope in Him who is the ultimate end to all things.
I'm still learning the things I THOUGHT I had learned on the Race. God is continuing to refine me, mold me, and perfect me. I'm so excited to share the things I have learned with the Squad that I'm about to lead! HERE WE GO…AGAIN
"Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again – my Savior and my God." – Psalm 43:5
