Originally I had written this beautiful, elaborate blog that I’d spent 2 hours working so diligently on… Then my computer decided to dump it.
I just love technology.
I’m gonna try again, but this time with much fewer words.
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. To be honest I’d pretty much decided to, “hang my hat up,” when it came to blogging. After all, my life was somewhat becoming routine…
Actually, if you know me at all, you know that my life is anything but routine.
Anyways, I received an email a few months back…
“Hey Dusty,
Congratulations! You have officially been accepted as a January squad leader!”
Guess I’ll scrap the whole, “hang my hat up" thing…
That’s right folks, in 2.5 short months, I’ll once again be packing up my belongings, and heading back out on The World Race! This time though, not as a participant, but rather a squad leader.
(This is kinda how I'm feeling inside right now, lol! It's a lot of emotions)
Now, I know what most of y’all are thinking, so let me briefly explain what this means.
As a squad leader, life on The World Race looks a wee-bit different than when you’re a normal participant.
A squad leaders job is just that, to lead the squad from country to country, helping facilitate everything necessary to make things run smoothly for the participants of that particular squad that’s on the field.
The best part in my opinion is that I have the amazing opportunity and blessing of getting to pour into, invest, and disciple these participants during the first 5 months of their World Race journey. I reckon you could say it’s quite a large responsibility… One that I’m gonna bathe in prayer and humbly approach His throne for, seeking His strength and not my own, because ultimately, that’s the only way to be properly equip to head into this new season.
(Doing some ministry during my World Race month in Mozambique)
(More ministry during my World Race, this time in Swaziland)
(One of my absolute favorite pictures from my month in China while on the World Race)
Since being home from my own World Race journey, I wanted so badly to go back out and serve as a squad leader. I would go and help out at training camp and leave being so filled up, but feeling like I didn’t have the avenue to pour back out into a squad. Time and time again, though, when I’d knock on the door, it was quickly shut in front of me.
When I finally finished my time at Adventures In Missions back in December, I came to terms that this desire would never happen. Something I’d held onto so fervently, I finally released to the Lord. Something He'd been asking me to release for sometime, if I'm being transparent.
(We really do have an amazing Father who loves us deeply)
One thing I’ve learned as a believer and follower of Jesus though, is that when we release things we’re holding onto tightly, a lot of times the Lord takes what is in our hands, and places much more back into it. Far more than we could ever begin to even imagine. Why, because He loves us, has our future in His hands, and knows what’s best for His children, in ever season.
Side note: I’ll still be working for Women of Faith, but because most of our work is in the late summer/fall, I’ll join back up with them when I return, Lord willing. Which for me was just another conformation from the Lord, that January was the time.
As I begin to plan and prepare to head out, I do covet your thoughts and prayers. Much like my first World Race, I can’t do any of this without my family, friends, church, and community. If you’d like to be involved, below are some options:
- Prayer- More than anything, I need to know that I’m being bathed in prayer. I don’t want to do this without each of you standing beside me. I’d like to maybe make a prayer calendar, and if you’re interested, have y’all sign up for a day to pray specifically for my time on the field.
- Financial Support- I’ll be fundraising $6,000 (that includes insurance, food, lodging, transportation in country, airfare, etc). Checks can be made to Adventures In Missions with my name written in the memo, or you can click HERE to donate online! If you don’t want to get a tax write-off, you can also send it directly to me, and I can send it in and also use it to help with any expenses as I prepare to launch. That price will also help me return to the field to check on my squad during months 8 & 11.
(Time to add a few more patches to this old girl)
Training camp starts this Saturday, but as we speak, I'm currently at leader training in Georgia! Yesterday we found out the countries we'll be traveling to, met our co-leader(s) for the trip, and we're given our squad assignments. This Saturday is when the participants will officially arrive and that's when I'll meet my squad for the first time and get to connect with the men and women I'll have the blessing of leading (I'll give y'all the details in my next blog and introduce everybody).
I'll be keeping you updated, but please feel free to reach out to me anytime for anything through Facebook, email, phone, or in real life (that's my favorite option)! I want to know how I can be praying for each of you as well!
As always, I appreciate each of you so much. Let's do this!
Love y'all.
P.S. I realize that some of you may be asking, "What exactly is the World Race?" No worries! I've attached the video below. Check it out and see what it's all about!
