My three-year-old niece Madilyn is tied for the cutest kid in the entire world (the other contender is my two-year old niece Kaylee). She does this thing where if you say, "What the?!" She'll finish by interjecting, "Heck!" It get me every time.
(Kaylee) (Madilyn)
But really. What the heck?!
I posted back in May about my upcoming opportunity to Squad Lead. I understand its still confusing, so this blog is dedicated to clarifying things.
1. But I thought you already did the World Race?
Yes, I did! I launched back in October of 2011 and was gone for eleven months with B Squad. This time I won't be a racer, however. I'll be Squad Leading.
2. So you're doing it again?
Yes. And No. As a Squad Leader, I'm leading the entire squad of 45 racers with my co-leader Amanda Brucki. We will be joining the squad for five months on the field. At the end of that time, we will raise up squad leaders from among the squad and returning stateside.
3. What do you mean by "squad?"
The squad is typically 45-50 individuals who are then broken down into teams of 6 to 7 people. The entire squad travels to each country together before the teams spread out around the nation to their ministry contacts.
4. How will this time be different?
As a squad leader, my primary focus will be the 45 racers as they go out to the nations and do ministry. Instead of being in a team of 6-7 individuals, I will be traveling to the different teams during each month while they do ministry in order to pour into, pray for, connect with, mentor, disciple, and develop the racers. I will not be in the same place for the entire month, but traveling the entire country each month to visit the teams where they are doing ministry. I will be a spiritual leader for the squad.
5. What do you need?
The cost for my 5 months on the field, plus travel to month 8 and 11 debriefs is $6000. This covers all my travel, food, and lodging expenses during my time on the field. In addition, I need to raise funds to help cover international health insurance, medication, and other miscellaneous needs before I launch. If you would like to help me financially, please click here or on the link that says "Support Me" in the upper left of this blog.
You can also send me money through PayPal to my email address: [email protected]
6. Where will you be going?
I will be traveling to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Cambodia with W Squad.
7. When will you be leaving?
W Squad launches at the beginning of September (just over a month away)! I'll be returning home around the end of January or beginning of February.
8. Why Squad Lead?
This is a tricky question. When I was first asked to consider squad leading back in February, my initial response was, "No. Nope. Not me. Never." But it planted a seed. The reason I didn't want to squad lead was because I didn't think I was qualified. I was never a team leader on my race. In fact, the few times I've been in positions of leadership in the past did not go well. I became controlling, stubborn, and more than a little demanding. It was gross.
To be honest, not being a leader on my World Race was the best possible thing for me. As I started praying about Squad Leading, the Lord spoke a lot to me about learning how to become the right kind of leader. One who leads out of humility and dependence on Jesus instead of my own strength.
9. What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about the relationships I get to build and the freedom in Jesus that will be unleashed in the lives of these racers. I have the honor of being a shepherd for these 45 racers and walking with them through their season on the World Race. I will be getting to use my gift and passion for discipleship, walking in exhortation and calling each and every person more into who the Lord is calling them to be. As they spread the love of Christ to the world, I get to pour the love of Christ into them. What a blessing!
10. Why does the squad need Squad Leaders?
If you've been following my blogs through the last two years, you've probably read about how hard the World Race can be. Its draining emotionally and spiritually, it can be lonely and difficult to miss your family and friends back home, and you just never feel normal. So having a squad leader, someone you can go to in order to talk, process, cry, laugh, rejoice, or scream is invaluable. You need someone fighting on your behalf, advocating for you, and getting down and dirty in the mess beside you. That is exactly what my role will be.
In addition, we have the unique opportunity to set the culture. If we want our squad to be a squad of unity, we fight for that. If we want our squad to worship in Spirit and in truth, we go there first so that they may follow.
11. Did you win squad wars?
HECK YES WE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
