The last week of August I was blessed to spend 5 days
visiting E Squad in Nairobi, Kenya! E
Squad is the group of 37 people I co-lead for 4 months, January-April. I had not seen them since the first week of
May! They were ending their 8th
month on the World Race! Because of the
support I was able to raise while leading this amazing group of people, I was
able to fly out to their month 8 debrief.
It was truly a blessing to my heart and spirit. Here are some random thoughts from my time
there.
I have been working at AIM on staff as a World Race Squad
Coordinator for 2 months now. I love
what I get to do, what I get to be a part of.
But, some days, it can be exhausting.
A large part of what I do is logistics- ministry setup for a squad on
the field (J Squad), budget things, answering emails, finding hotels that can
host 62 people, details, details, details.
Honestly, this part of the job is stretching for me. It does not come naturally to me. But, God has been teaching me so much through
it- how He is in control of even the practical things, the “mundane,� the
details. But, being able to see my squad
in Kenya reminded of the WHY. Why the
logistics, the details, the coordinating of 62 people, the answering of emails,
is worth it: because God transforms
peoples lives. The first moment I
stepped out of the taxi and saw my people, I felt something different. There was a unity, a love for one another, that
had not been there before. There were
some people on E squad who just looked different. Not because they hadn’t showered or shaved or
because they had braided their hair African-style. It was because God had been doing something
in their hearts and it showed all over their faces, in their voices, in how
they carried themselves. It’s crazy how
the spiritual can manifest in the physical- how God bringing freedom to a
person’s life can change something in a person’s smile. I absolutely love this part of what I
do. Seeing change. Seeing how God transforms. Seeing how His love is the most powerful
thing. It makes it all worth it. He makes it all worth it.
I heard so many amazing stories while in Kenya, stories of miracles and life changing moments. Please read one of the girl’s on my squad’s blog, Erica’s blog. (http://ericashappie.theworldrace.org/?filename=disclaimer-part-one-god-is-real.) When I read this story shortly before arriving in Kenya, I cried. Seeing this beautiful woman face to face and hearing part of it from her mouth, reminded of the why. Stories like this make it all worth it. Another awesome story- seeing a women who was stabbed in the heart healed. Check it out at http://natashagrass.theworldrace.org/?filename=stabbed-in-the-heart-healed. Beautiful story, after beautiful story came flooded my ears. Stories of healing, deliverance, freedom, faith, and love.
God’s timing is perfect.
This month 8 debrief visit with E Squad is exactly what I needed, when I
needed it. And I didn’t even know I
needed it. Don’t you just love how God
does that? Being with these people that
I love so deeply, rejuvenated my passion.
It helped me remember- why I said yes to the World Race, what God has
done in my life, who He is. One night in
worship, sitting down on the floor, God spoke to my heart. He said, “Hannah, I love that you know I am
enough for you. But, you are enough for
me too.� In that moment, the weight of
how much God loves me sunk in a little bit more. The great creator of the universe, thinks I
am enough. Whaaaat? That is crazy. But, that is how crazy He is about me and all
His children. I love when God allows me
to have deeper revelations of His love.
It just breaks me all over again for who He is and how good He is. That’s why I am here- for moments like that.
E Squad finishes their World Race the beginning of
December….just under 3 months left! Their final debrief will be in India, and I am
hoping I can be there for it! Final
Debrief is a time of celebration- the whole squad is together one last time
before flying to the states. It’s a time
of joy, love, and tears. I desperately
want to be there as they finish the race and step into the next thing God has
for them. Even though I haven’t
physically been with them for their whole race, I have been carrying them in my
hearts. Everyday, I am thankful to God
for allowing me to Squad Lead and be a part of their journeys. Please consider donating- the cost of my
plane ticket is approximately $1,500.
God is a God who provides, and I believe He can provide this too. Thank you for all your past support that
allowed me to go on the field and Squad Lead back in January. God used those 4 months in my life in such a
powerful way. I am thankful for the
opportunity to serve Him and His Kingdom, and to grow in the process.
If you are interested in giving, please click on the Support
Me! link on the left, under my picture. Any amount! I need the money ASAP so we can get the ticket purchased and I can get a visa. I need a significant amount of the money by the END OF THIS WEEK. I know its not much time, but with help, I know it can happen! Please pray and see what the Lord says!
Blessings!
– Hannah….please enjoy a few pictures below from the debrief!
Part of E Squad Getting Ready for a Run in Nairobi, Kenya!
Some of my most favorite people. 🙂
A few of my E Squad Ladies
