January 21, 2020 I gave my yes to be an Alumni Team Leader for Gap Year 2020.
Now today on December 13, 2020, close to a year later I am now finished with my time as an Alumni Team Leader.
When I gave my yes, I was in the middle of Africa and I was terrified because at this point I had no clue what this was going to look like.
After loving my World Race experience so much, choosing into the good & the hard, and coming home early I was so against the idea of having to choose in all over again. Also this time, i was asked to lead?!
new community?
new lessons?
new place?
ahhhhh!!!
I came into this season being asked “is it even worth going?”
I really didn’t know.
When I asked the Lord if it was worth it, He gave me a firm YES! I was still hesitant.
I fought it so hard. I tried saying no to walking in obedience so many times before arriving in Georgia. I am thankful that the Lord did not give me what I asked for!! (Yes! you heard that right!)
So now I am here!!!
Closing up my time living in the beautiful state of Georgia for 3.5 months while team leading some of the most treasured people…
TEAM FERVENT::
“Leanna, what’s it really like?”
If I had to sum up what being a team leader is really like in one phrase, this is what I would say…
humbling myself each day and trusting the Lord in EVERYTHING & having a heart of WITH!!!
As a team leader, I spend all day and everyday WITH my team. I am apart of all the fun things, like dance parties, eating meals together, playing games, ministry, and celebrating everything! I am also there for all the hard things too, when homesickness is present, when there’s frustration or confusion, after really long days, when they are sick, tears, and all the things in between! (I wouldn’t want it any other way!)
I am WITH!!!!
Personally, I have learned that having a heart of WITH means that no matter where you are or what is going on you know & trust that God has given you these people intentionally. They are worthy of investment!! Having this heart posture has taught me so much, especially about how to seek the Lord each day to increase my capacity to pursue & love! This has taken me deeper & deeper into TRUST!
I’ve learned that being a team leader goes far beyond a title! For me one of the most impactful things has been being able to walk alongside them as teammates and also as friends. In simply just being there, the Lord has showed up time and time again to come and redefine what friendship looks like! This has impacted me so greatly! Choosing to walk in loyalty, honor, grace, & vulnerability each day because…once again…IT IS WORTH IT!
The Lord provided a beautiful place where I was able to be an encouragement, but also was given the gift to receive. These people have spoken into my life far more than I can fully grasp. I’ve learned that pouring out is great gift, but i’m also growing and what a beautiful thing that we have been given the opportunity to do it together!! The Lord revealed a lot of beauty in that form of humility! Truly stepping into what it looks like to do life together as we are all discovering new ways to grow!
Team leading has been a time in my life that I will classify as one of FREEDOM & CELEBRATION!
It has brought me to a deeper knowledge of myself and how to best love & steward what’s given to me. I am blessed to have been able to say Yes to this each day. IT WAS SO SWEET!!!
Blows my mind that when I first said yes I was filled with fear, and now as this time is coming to a close my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for all God did!
So… if someone asks me “was it worth it?” my answer is YES! YES! YES!
THANKS GOD! YOU ARE GOOD! THANK YOU FOR THIS SWEET SWEET SEASON! IT IS ALL FOR YOU! MAY ALL THE GLORY GO TO YOU!
with love & joy,
Leanna Murphy
