One of the questions I get asked the most about the World Race is one I’m excited to answer: Who am I going with?
The answer is about 60 awesome people from all over the US, and there is one girl from Canada. Together, we make up I-Squad.
I-Squad is a solid group of young people with ages ranging through the twenties and early thirties. We all come from vastly different backgrounds and are in different stages of our journey through life, but we all have one thing in common: We love Jesus and are giving up a year of our youth to serve and spread his love around the world.
Like me, the rest of my squad mates are crazy and willing to leave their comfort zones. Everyone has a great story for becoming a part of the Race and I am excited to see how God is going to use us to further his kingdom.
Most of the members of I-Squad are from the east coast, Midwest, and south, and there aren’t very many from out west, except for a few Californians and one other person from Washington.
Because of this, we were only able connect online before camp, mainly through Facebook and Skype. But once we met in person, we quickly became family. My squad mates who were once only pictures on a computer screen turned into brothers and sisters through the organized insanity of camp. The men of I-Squad grew really close as well.
Who am I serving with specifically? Meet Team J159.
Pictured from Left to Right:
Rich Bowman, Vanessa Morga, Jordan Johnson, Carrie Eason, Amie Gallegos, Becky Arce
We are from all over the place. Check out the map below:
What does J159 mean? It is a reference to Joshua 1:5-9, a call to strength and courage while obeying the law of God:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
As a team, we felt it was a great reminder that God will be with us in whatever crazy place we go. Trust in him and continual obedience will bring us strength and courage as we serve together. Individually, we come from such diverse backgrounds and make up a unique style, so J159 is an urban sounding reference to the passage.
Photos taken from our first bonding activity: random time at Wal-Mart.
Overall, all of my teammates are so great! They are friendly and fun to be around, with a passion for life and serving God. All of us have different gifts and passions that will fit well together in ministry. I am so excited to get to know them all more and see where God takes us next year as we attempt to live out the call of J159.
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Three things I want to end this blog on:
1.) Earlier this month, I had the chance to speak to my home church about training camp and my journey to the World Race. Check out the podcast here.
2.) I am officially 2/3s funded as of this month. Less than $5,000 to go!
3.) Only four days left at home! On Saturday, I am heading off-island with my family and flying to Chicago on Sunday. There, my beloved I-Squad will reassemble and begin the World Race! 🙂
