Some called me crazy, I myself thought I might be, yet here I was heading back to Georgia for 3 weeks after only 2 weeks of being back in the States. My 11n11 journey just ended only to immediately begin my Squad Leading journey. Was I ready? Was I enough? Was I capable? Could I really do this? These were the questions that haunted me as I starting my voyage from Texas to Georgia. Over the next hours (and hours and hours) on I-20 East God reminded me of his goodness, allowed me to process the last 11 months with him, and assured me that I was making the right decision leaving so quickly. God just needed my “yes” and he would provide the rest.
12 hours and 5 states later I arrived in Gainesville for squad leader training. I still unsure if I was prepared for this squad leader thing, but I trusted the Father and his promises. Two days of training yielded my first of many blessing from Georgia:
My mentor, Chrissy, and two co-squad leaders, Hunter and Anna.
They are in every way my people. The way we were woven into each other’s stories in order to work closely these next 5 months is clearly the handiwork of the Lord. They challenge me, make me laugh until my sides hurt, and encourage me to be the most authentic version of myself.
Next blessing? I found out my 5 countries I will be travelling to: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Malaysia. EEK! While there is only one new country I will be travelling to, I am PUMPED to visit some of my favorite places again.
Now that SQL training was over it was time to start actual training camp.
I woke up the morning of August 10th with knots in my stomach. Today was the day I was going to meet my new squad. The ones I had been praying for since I was accepted to this position. The ones the Lord appointed me to lead. It was an excited anxiousness, but anxiousness nonetheless.
As soon as I met them I fell in love.
The instantaneous love I had for O Squad is incredible, and over the next 10 days I continued to fall deeper in love with them. They have 42 pieces of my heart. I know I am supposed to be their “leader” but I’m just humbled that I get to do life with them. They are passionate, fun, worship minded, spirit led, intentional, and determined. I’m incredibly proud to claim them, and I can’t wait until the day I get to be in their space again!
After training camp I was trying to process and understand how I could love a group of people SO MUCH. I love them so much I can’t even find proper words to express my love for them. What kind of love is that?
Then it hit me. That is the love the Father has for ME. God is using my love for O Squad to show me HIS love for ME in a new way. I’ve never been able to grasp this kind of love – love that is unconditionally given, unexplainably proud, and anxious to just be in the presence of the other – but after experiencing it first hand, I’m understanding it more and more.
I don’t know how I ever doubted or felt uneasy. God shows up. He provides. He LOVES. His plan is good. This last month in Georgia has, in many ways, shaped me even more than times on the race. Through everything and everyone at training camp God is showing me I don’t have to be on the field to experience him. It happens wherever and whenever I seek him.
One last shout out before I go. I had the pleasure of working with an incredible training team during training camp, comprised of World Race alum, Kingdom builders, and truth tellers. Thank you for pouring into me, for encouraging me, and speaking truth over me. I wouldn’t have made it though training camp with out y’all.
I have buckets and buckets of love to give to these new people in my life. Georgia has been good to me, the Lord is ALWAYS good to me, and I am forever blessed by my decision to go on the World Race. I’m excited to continue this journey come October!
God is good, Y’all.
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I still need about $2,500 to be fully funded for this next season. If you feel led to partner with me, please donate through my blog by clicking the “donate” button
