I’ve mentally started this blog nearly a dozen times. Thinking of ways to creatively communicate and summarize my past couple of months at home and my upcoming endeavors proved more challenging than I anticipated.
So, lacking creativity but full of clarity I am excited to announce that…
I am squad leading a January 2015 World Race squad!
Q. Yay! But what does this even mean?
A. The World Race is structured with squads that sign up to venture to a specific route of 11 different countries. Each squad of 35-55 people begins the Race with 2-3 squad leaders (SQL). These are people that have done the Race before, have applied for and been accepted to lead, and will lead by offering guidance and encouragement from their experience.
Q. So, you’re doing the World Race again?
A. Yes and no. Mainly no. The World Race is the infamous 11 countries in 11 months “short term” missions trip on steroids. Alumni SQL (my role) stay on the field with the squad for 5 or so months and then raise up a team of 2-4 people from within the squad to lead for the remaining months of their Race.
The squad’s ministry focus is their month-long partnership of the people, ministries, and organizations in each country in which they spend a month. As an alumni squad leader, my ministry focus is all of the individuals in my squad; spurring them in deeper intimacy with the Lord and helping shape other ways of personal growth. As they bring more of Heaven all across the earth, I desire to help them each get more of Heaven in their hearts.
Q. Cool! Where are you going this time around?
A. Not sure yet. haha. I leave tomorrow for two weeks in Georgia. The first week, I’ll have SQL training, meet other January leaders and be partnered with my co-leader(s). Then we’ll be paired up with a squad. The second week, the January squads will arrive for their training camp. Once I find out my squad and their route, I’ll know the countries I’ll be going to come January.
Q. Is this a job?
A. Believing that all of my work is unto the Lord, DEFINITELY! But this is not a paid position. I have re-entered a season of ministry where you can partner with me financially. Yay!
Q. Do you need to raise the same amount as before?!
A. Not even close. (Hallelu.) But even if I did, I know the Lord would provide. He always, always does. I was and am so humbled by and grateful for your support and how you reflected the faithfulness of God through your generosity. Thank you, again.
For my SQL endeavors, I must raise $6,500. This will cover ALL of my living expenses for the five months I stay on the field with my squad, AND it will cover travel and living expenses for joining the squad for their debriefs after my five months with them (2-3 additional weeks).
Q. What does your mom think about this?
A. Let it ring across the earth that my mom is my hero. When I told her that I felt the Lord was leading me to stay in Michigan through December, then Squad Lead in January, she said, “Are you sure He’s not telling you to squad lead in September and you’re wanting to stay through to December to be comfortable?” That’s my mother. Even in the face of grief, she desires for herself and for me to be in the complete will of God – comfortable and easy or not, for HE, His Spirit, is our Comfort.
The Lord put squad leading on my heart when I was actually still on my Race, in month 7. I was Skyping my parents about it and my dad, in the midst of fighting for his life, got teary-eyed and said, “When? You’d leave so soon after being gone for so long?” But without even waiting for my response, he changed his tune to, “I raised you to release you. I’m so blessed that you are so connected with the Lord and I bless you in this.”
Three months later he went to be with the Lord in fullness in Heaven. So even he knows about this pursuit and blessed it.
There you have it, folks, the nutshell to my next chapter! Please don’t hesitate to contact me with more questions or ways you can partner with me as I continue to support and spread Jesus Christ exalted over all the earth.
This journey of yes and amen to the Lord is always a rich one.
From my heart,
Erika Venese Wynne
