“Gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without us.”
—David Whyte
A year ago last week I found out I’d be squad leading a squad in January 2016. With 5 months ahead of me before I’d find out which squad I’d be placed with I decided to spend the space between dreaming with God about the promises He had for these strangers I already loved so deeply.
With my paint brush in hand and my head up in heaven I painted what I now call my “Cultivate Board.”
It’s thumbtacked with words, prayers, lyrics, and scriptures God’s heart poured into mine. Every one of them a promise to me and the squad I’d be leading.
I used the word Cultivate because it’s a word I heard God speak to me a couple of years ago as a gift and call I have on my life and I knew I’d be needing to walk faithfully as a cultivator in my time as a squad leader.
[Cultivate]
To prepare and use for the raising of crops; to loosen or break up soil.
To foster the growth of.
To improve by labor, care, or study.
The purpose of cultivation, the reason why the hard labor and intentional care matter, is to produce a fruitful harvest. And in my experience with human, spiritual, cultivation, I’ve seen this happen time after time! The challenging part for me has been accepting that my role as a cultivator doesn’t guarantee me a spot in the fields come harvest time.
I completed my Cultivate Board, October training camp where I met C squad–the squad I’m leading–quickly came and went, and January launch was here before I could beg it to give me one more day with my friends in Gainesville. Stepping onto the field with C squad I was prepared to do the hard work of cultivation. I expected to have the hard conversations, do the bold things, pray the big prayers. What I didn’t expect was to experience the harvest. Not because I didn’t think it would come, but because it’s rarely the job God places before me.
Harvest, though, was one of the promises on the board! And my God is faithful. I spent the first 4 months on my knees laboring through the fields, cultivating. I’ve spent the last 2 weeks on my knees overwhelmed by God and the goodness of His harvest in C squad.
I’ve seen so many of the above pictured promises come to pass in my time on the field, but my favorite to watch has been the promise “get wrecked to get whole” re-written from the scripture “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25 ESV
I’ve seen these beautiful souls move from self-strength to God strength. I’ve been on the other end of conversations while they’ve wondered if they’re gifted, if taking ownership of their what they’re gifted in is actually worth it, and if they hand their lives and dreams over to God will they be handed back something enjoyable. I’ve met them in their confusion, joined them in their tears, and spoken the truth God has entrusted to me to share. And God in His goodness hasn’t left a single one where they began. God in His goodness has brought the harvest. God in His goodness has offered abundant love and grace for these men and women to be confident, bold, responsible, and alive in the most beautiful way. God in His goodness has let me be here to rejoice with them in the promised harvest.
This season of harvest is just the start for C squad. As I finish my time on the field with them (in 21 days) I look forward not just to keeping up with the rest of their race, but the rest of their lives. The stories they’ll tell with their freedom are far greater than anything I could ever think to ask for or imagine.
As I leave this privileged time of squad leading, I look forward to the promise I have waiting for me at home in Gainesville, Georgia. A job back at Adventures in Missions as a World Race Gap Year Squad Mentor. It’ll be my job to manage a World Race squad of 18-22 year olds through spiritual, physical, emotional, and logistical mentorship.
Many of you have supported me prayerfully and financially as I’ve been a participant on the World Race, on staff with Adventures in Mission, and now as I’ve walked alongside C Squad. Thank you for pursuing the Father’s heart for missions and discipleship and in doing so, sending me.
As I prepare for this next season, I have an urgent need to share with you. In order to finish out my time with C Squad and begin my new role as a World Race Gap Year Squad Mentor with Adventures in Missions in August, I need to secure approximately $700 per month in donations going forward. This could come in the form of one-time gifts or in monthly commitments of any amount.
Today I’m asking you to prayerfully consider partnering with me in what God is doing and will continue to do through my roles with Adventures in Missions. Any amount truly does help! If you are unable to give financially at this time, I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers.
Because He’s shown His faithfulness time and time again, I know my Father will meet this need. I’m inviting you into the cultivation, yes, but also into the promised harvest.
To donate, click the “donate” button at the top of this page and follow the instructions from there.
With great love and gratitude,
Kate
