July is a big month for me. It has been for the last 5ish years. It’s when I went on my first mission trip where I met Ruby who changed my life. Actually, every mission trip I’ve been on has been in July. It’s when I left on The World Race.
When this July rolled around I was a little bummed. It didn’t seem like anything significant would be happening. It seemed like it would be just another month filled with just days.
This July I was praying through the next steps of life since the race is over. I was looking for temporary jobs. I was hoping to be home for a while. To not miss holidays or weddings or babies being born. I was hoping to not miss anymore big things.
But planning my life around those things is living vicariously through those people and I can’t live my life like that forever. Another topic for another blog.
July. It has been a big month and this one turned out to be no different. This July the Lord began to show me through different things and people that my “yes” to Him was only half obedience to Him and half pleasing to myself and others. My yes had strings attached. My yes was based on circumstance.
And that yes, I realized, was unsettling. It wasn’t full of joy and excitement but of walking on eggshells with myself and with God. It was full of dread.
Through different moments over the first few days of July that half-hearted yes turned into a freedom bringing one. I cut the strings. I told God that I would follow Him at any cost. That I would go when He wants, where He wants and for however long He wants.
That wholehearted yes brought such joy to my soul. I learned that obedience doesn’t have to be a really awful thing. It doesn’t have to be dreadful. It doesn’t have to be a “yea, I guess I will do this, if I have to” kind of thing. The yes doesn’t have to bring misery. It can bring excitement. It can bring joy. It can bring peace. It can bring so many things. Because the Lord has good for us and His plans are so much better than our own.
So, family and friends, with a heart and soul bursting with joy and excitement… That July of yes has led me to going on The World Race again this October!
But this time, I’m not a racer and I’m not going to 11 countries.
This time I will be squad leading a World Race Gap Year squad.
It’s the same concept as the race. The differences?
1. Age- this group will be 18-22 years old
2. Amount of time- 9 months
3. Amount of countries- 3 (I don’t know these details yet)
This squad will live in close community, on teams while doing ministry. They will spend three months in each country. Their squad leaders (myself and 2 others)
stay with them the whole time on the field.
The other leaders and I will have the honor of walking alongside them through their whole journey. Discipling them. Pouring into them. Being iron that sharpens them. Imparting things to them that I wish I would have had to do college better.
I am absolutely blown away and humbled by this opportunity. It’s an honor. In my opinion, 18-22 is a crucial time that can make or break a lot of things. I try and put myself into their shoes and think of how a trip like this would have changed so much of my college years. I can’t wait to see how this goes. I can’t wait to see their growth. I can’t wait to see all that the Lord does. I can’t wait to tell them about all that He did on my journey.
My squad leaders were some of my biggest cheerleaders while speaking some of the hardest truth. They believed in me in a way that made
me believe in myself. They pointed out areas I needed to grow in with a whole lot of grace and then they celebrated that growth when it happened. When I didn’t believe I could team lead for the last part of the race they were the first ones who spoke truth into me to a point where I still repeat those words in my head today. They were a huge part of my race.
While it took the Lord a minute to get through to me, this yes is not dreaded. It’s so full of excitement. I hope and pray that I can be even an ounce of what my squad leaders were to me. I hope and pray that this group of world changers can land back on American soil with a changed heart. I hope and pray that I get to be part of that change in some of their lives.
Now the fun part… Just like for my race, I get to raise money and you get the opportunity to sow kingdom seeds. You, supporters, have been crucial throughout my journey. First, your prayers were felt around the world. They were felt every single day. We saw people saved and set free. People on my squad felt your prayers when they were so sick they couldn’t do anything but lay on the floor. My team felt your prayers when we were out doing ministry when spiritual warfare was so heavy. So, I am asking for your prayers. If nothing else, this is what I need most. I am asking that you keep your reminders in your cars because I know that it changed things this last year. I don’t want to be part of this if the Lord isn’t in the midst of it.
Second, finances. The total cost of squad leading is $3,500. I will probably need a little more than that for basic things like toiletries for the months and other necessities. There’s a “donate” button up top or you can give to me personally and I will deposit it in the account if that is easier for you. My status bar will be updated in the near future, you can still give until that happens so don’t let it fool you! I’m asking that you consider giving, any amount. I’m asking that you pray about it and let the Lord put it on your heart. I can’t do this without you guys. Fundraising, I’ve learned, is an intimidating thing but you have all been so generous. There are not enough thank you’s in the world for you!
I’ve also created two registries. Gift Cards are also great or money directed to these things are also good:
This one has necessities. Things that didn’t survive my race:
This one has things that are not needed but that could help me further my dreams of photography and writing. If you feel led, I would greatly appreciate it. While walking alongside this squad I want to also grow in my creativity and these things will definitely help:
This has all happened pretty quickly. I will be at training camp for two weeks this month (as in, Monday August 7th). I will be launching in October.
I would love to meet in person with you. Let’s get coffee or dinner. Maybe lets go for a walk. I would love to tell you about my race and I would love to tell you more about my heart for this next season.
Don’t forget to subscribe to THIS blog to stay up to date with all the things (there is a link down below, to the side and up at the top), I know I started another one but this one is definitely more reader friendly. You can also add me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram @kacietillman
