Coming out to squad lead for this World Race squad has looked very different than what our year looked like in 2018. As we have probably already mentioned, the reason for our year to look so different is that our main ministry this year is ministering to and discipling those within the squad. Though we are still involved with some of the same local ministries as our teams are, our main goal of this year is to encourage individuals, the teams, and the squad as a whole to look more like Christ as we go out to spread His good news and love. Our job has also included taking care of some squad logistics, training other leaders, stewarding our fundraised money well, sitting in the hospital when our friends have been ill, etc.
With that being said, this month is our very first time visiting Indonesia.
But rather than hanging out with teams doing local ministry, our whole month has revolved around training up the leaders who will step in to lead the squad when we leave in about 10 days! It’s been a weird month—but it has also been oh, so good. Though we have spent many hours going over papers, procedures, and example scenarios which they will need to be able to handle while on the field, we have also gotten to spend some time with these quality individuals who we believe God is guiding into leadership for the remainder of the year.
It has been really cool to see them grow in their friendships with one another, but also in their confidence of what this weighty leadership role could look like for them daily. They are individuals who are brimming with Godly character, compassion, empathy, intentionality, wisdom, and a deep desire to grow in holiness and in understanding of the Truth. The Lord is going to do some amazing things in and through them as they take our place leading the squad. Please keep Josiah, Madison, Jessica, and Mady in your prayers as this squad is about to continue on without us.
During the middle of our training, we all split up and travelled to some of our teams to have a little hands on training. Kaydan, Jessica, and I headed up into the mountains of Makale in Sulawesi, where we spent some time with one of our teams there. While we were there, we got to spend some time with some people we love, while also writing an English book for students who can’t afford formal education. We got to be part of the process of readying coffee beans to make the delicious drink we all love. And we got to fellowship with our friends, some other travelers, and some locals over some delicious meals straight from the garden on the mountain.
It was such a beautiful time with a lot of laughter and just sitting in awe of God’s beauty in nature. Towards the end of our time with the team, I realized that this was our last time living with a World Race team before traveling home… it is crazy to think that we are almost done. And I’m honestly not sure how to feel. It’s been a wild ride full of goodness and blessing, but not exempt from difficulty. I am sad and happy all at the same time, but always joyful and thankful knowing how faithful God has been to us in the past year and a half that we have been nonstop traveling the globe and knowing His faithfulness will not stop there.
We still have about one week in Indonesia training the new squad leaders. Thankfully, this week of training we are not sitting in a room 24/7 going through a tedious training manual. This week we are near one of the local beaches with our squad leader team, adventuring and resting in God’s creation while we finish up the last bit of our training. We are soaking up this last bit of time on the field, and the new leaders are getting ready as we pass the baton to them. God is good. This life is gift. And I don’t want to miss a moment of it.
With Love,
Katherine
