Hey friends!
This is more of a newsletter and update just to keep you all informed and in the loop.
I am currently in Mendoza, Argentina where we had squad debrief. Debrief is so many things, and necessary is one of those things.
It’s a time where our teams individually sit with our leaders and they have great questions and open a space so they can gage how we are doing as a team.
There are one-on-one sign ups where we have the opportunity to process and meet with our Squad Mentor Ashley Francis, our Squad leaders Jenny Walsh and Hannah Voros (who will be leaving the field soon and only returning for debriefs, for they have raised up squad leaders from inside our squad), as well as our coaches Kris and Doug Kristophel.
There is free time for us to sit with the Lord to process things with him and seek rest in him.
And this time at debrief we had been assigned a new team and a new route!
There were so many tears from my eyes leading up to team change. Team Lit was and is my family. I am who I am today because of them, and how the Lord has moved through this band of brothers and sisters. I could talk for ages about those beautiful people. I will spare you, but if you want to hear about Jezie, Maggie, Oscar, Connor, Wesley or Dan. Hit your girl up! I’ll talk them up for days. I know what makes them tick, I know the things that bring them down, I know the things that make them mad, I know their weaknesses and strengths in the Lord.
I was terrified about team changes. A large part of this race has been me not trusting God to give me things that are both His will and my good. He has constantly been proving me wrong over and over again, and this team change was one of those moments.
New Team
Introducing team Towdah ??????? (One of many Hebrew words for worship. Specifically defined by the act of throwing or casting praise of thankfulness). I am now part of a 5 person all women’s team. So excited to do life with these squad mates. It’s amazing honestly and I already see why each one of them were placed with me.
Jezebelle Pelayo
My anchor always. The one who calls me out in the midst of chaos, lack of order, and planning and says “It’s fine, come on out here”. This lady is my partner in crime as she also has such a passion for justice and for truth, loves partnering with the local church, and is all about discipleship. I still have her!
Hannah Norris
My friend from the beginning. Since she’s another North Carolinian we rode to training camp together. 5 hours of deep conversation and finding out we are so similar: loves worship, graduates with a bachelors in psychology and a minor in Spanish, and a fellow ENFJ. We both knew on the drive down to Training and in the first couple of days we wouldn’t be on the same team, and now we are! I’m so thankful to call her my team leader for the foreseeable future.
Katie Freeman
My sweet lady who I bonded with in Ecuador (all squad month). I remember at training camp trying to get to her to spend time, and my first real encounter with her she was laying in a hammock with Jada. Already you know she’s a nature lover and loves physical touch. Then in Ecuador we happened to be sick at home on the same day and were able to share our similar stories. Now I get to continue getting to know her as a team mate!
Allie LaMalfa
My funny beautiful girl who truly gets me. She’s very intune with the Spirit and has the ability to know people quickly (or maybe that was just me, ha!). I specifically expressed that this lady was one I wanted to be on a team with as soon as I found out about team changes. I’m so excited to encourage each other and grow in security together!
New Route
The last little nugget of info I have for all of you supporters is a route change. Don’t be alarmed just one country is changing. Our last country on the race was initially Albania. I was excited for this country having met some girls from Kosovo a few years ago. Albania culturally has a large Islamic population and I was looking forward to learning the culture d Albani and bringing the hope and love of Jesus to them! So I will be mourning that, but am completely at peace with the decision that’s been made for us now to go to Spain.
Fran has for several years been feeling this passion from the Lord to go to Spain and walk the El Camino. It is a pilgrimage that many people do as a spiritual walk/awakening. Starting in France and ending at the shores of Spain, it’s takes about 50-80 days to accomplish. We will only be able to do a part of it but that will be our ministry month 11 as we back pack and stay at hostels along the way. Many wanderers do this walk searching for something beyond themselves and searching for answers. So we will have ample opportunity along this road to meet people and share with them that something beyond them-self and to share with them the Answer, Jesus.
Not to mention this will be a spiritual pilgrimage for us too. Spain will be our final month together and we get to do it as a squad and not just with our teams. The moment that Fran shared with us that she had this desire for us to do it even if she can’t make it my heart dropped.
Many people spoke out what Holy Spirit was revealing to them and much of it aligned with what I found deep inside of me as well. This is what we believe that the Lord has in store for month 11 in Spain of the World Race for N Squad 5th Generation:
- This is going to be a time to seal our time together as a squad
- Many puzzle pieces will come together in this time for us as individuals, as well as preparation for ministry and life past the Race.
- It’s a time to reach other people as we listen and search for God’s will
- Anytime that I’ve walked hikes or done anything that requires endurance and stamina, the Father always speaks to me very deeply and about large matters.
After Spain we will have our final debrief in Portugal and fly back to The US.
This time is still 6.5 months away but my feelings jumped forward to that time. It’s hard to imagine not traveling and doing life with this community that I’m with now. However, I know that this community will always be available in a phone call, and we will continue a life that is ministry and a ministry that is life even if that means not together. But I know through the race I have made many of life long friends and even ones to partner in ministry with.
Alright! Just wanted to keep you guys updated!
With love from the Father,
Kaylin A Starbuck
