I’ll never forget the “market” simulation at the World Race Training Camp.
It was a day where our leaders picked a few of us in the squad to organize and lead our squadmates in an activity that would later prove to be very helpful and not completely unlike a real-life scenario that could happen at any point on the field.
We were given about 15 minutes to go over the rules of the simulation, receive fake currency, and figure out how to feed all 50 of us in the midst of a hot, sweaty, loud, and utterly chaotic scenario.
We were pushed out of the nest into what I could only describe as pandemonium. Countless Adventures staff members were dressed and ready to play the part of foreign merchants shouting and trying selling their wares to this fresh group of racers while vehicles, loud music, and all sorts of distractions (including people “stealing” our things) fought for our attention.
Long story short, the entire squad was somehow fed and I left the scenario feeling overwhelmed and underprepared for the Race and any responsibilities that even slightly resembled the market simulation.
The next day our squad was gathered as a group and I heard these words, “W Squad, your logistics coordinators are Janine Brannis, Taylor Hendren, and Luke Hanna.”
Excuse me, what?
The rest is honestly a blur of trainings, expense reports, credit cards, tiny hardly-functioning phones, Sim cards, passports, bus tickets, train tickets, debrief sessions, and a whole lot of grace.
At the end of month 5 I find myself sitting in a Starbucks in the Singapore airport during a 16 hour layover. The Lord’s grace is as fresh as ever and His love is more tangible now that I’ve ever experienced. He has walked me patiently through this season teaching me how to prefer others, die to self, to serve like Jesus did, and to balance perfectly the sleep-to-caffeine ratio for optimal efficiency on travel days. In fact, I can barely keep my eyelids open as I type this, but I feel led to share this here and now so here it is!
I just wanted to write a quick blog talking about what the word “logistics” means to me.
For those of you who aren’t aware, I am one of three Logistics Coordinators on W Squad. This means that my partners and I have been given the privilege to oversee all things travel-related. In a nutshell, we are responsible for making sure our squad makes it from one country to another. Sometimes that looks like booking a bus to get to the airport and sometimes that looks like gathering everyone’s passports to have visas processed before carrying all our belongings in a ground border crossing.
We also get to plan debriefs which are intentional gatherings planned for certain months during the month so that we can pour into one another, catch up, and glean some wisdom from our leaders who travel all the way from the U.S. to be with us!
It means I’ve been given two partners in this role that have quickly become two of my best friends and are powerful women of God who spur me on toward higher holiness and a deeper relationship with our Savior.
much I love and appreciate you.
Thanks for teaching me what it means
to rely on the Father for even the simplest things!
You rock!
I’m not sure if I’ve ever even mentioned to most people that I have this privilege, so I wanted to give you a little window into what the average travel day consists of.
Instead of including all the details in this blog (it would take entirely too many words), I thought I would simply copy and paste the email we sent to the squad just a few days ago!
I love having the opportunity to love and serve my squad in this very unique way. A lot of what we do is in the background for few people to see, and I’ve been told that sometimes makes logistics a thankless job. However, I think it is anything but that! Our squad loves us and appreciates us far beyond what we even feel comfortable with receiving at times! These brothers and sisters are always available to carry our bags for us, flag down a taxi (or 15), or listen to us process all the hiccups that have happened in the last 17 hours since we began the Vietnam-to-Ethiopia leg of the Race. I am so thankful for these people, and I am so honored to love these people and serve Jesus with them.
Here’s to 6 more months of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control that the Spirit teaches me through these men and women every day.
Enjoy this email, and I hope it feels like you’re hopping on the plane with us right now because I can speak on behalf of all 46 of us: we love you and we would not be here without each of you. You are all encouraging us and praying for us always, but please know we cherish and pray for you as well!
To God be the glory!
Xin chào!
Or should we say, “Selam!”
Do you realize that we’ve spent 5 months on the field as a squad?!?
5 months of abandonment.
5 months of team times.
5 months of growth.
5 months of undeniable God-moments.
5 months of life-changing memories.
5. months. of. Asia.
It’s been beautiful and stretching. It’s been hot and sweaty. It’s been spicy and explosive (if you’re smelling what I’m stepping in).
And in the words of one of today’s most renowned philosophers,
“Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa.”
-Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Without further ado, here are your Vietnam-Ethiopia travel details:
…actually, jk here are a few conveniently placed reminders before we get down to the nitty gritty:
- There has been some discussion about whether or not malaria medication will be necessary while in Ethiopia. You are ultimately responsible for your own health, but here is some information from the CDC to help you decide: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever-malaria-information-by-country/ethiopia#seldyfm879
- There has also been talk of some really cold nights and warm days where we will be staying, so check the weather and maybe consider picking up some more climate-friendly clothing.
- Just like every travel day ever, please be sure to have your passports on your person at all times.
Okay, whew. Now. Without further ado, here are your Vietnam-Ethiopia travel details:
- Meet in the hotel lobby at 1:45am and gather in your teams. We will have taxis ready to transport you to the airport (about 10-15 minutes away). Logistics and SQLs will help facilitate this process so that teams stay somewhat together. *Treasurers please have money ready to cover the taxis. We will have two taxis per team to get everyone and their luggage there comfortably.*
- We will begin check-in once everyone gets to the airport. As usual, Logs will try to open a separate lane for our big ole happy W fam.
- Once you’ve gotten your boarding pass, we will go through security as teams, and we will gather at the appropriate departure gate by 6:00am. (TL’s make sure everyone is there on time!)
- Once we land in Singapore, we have the really awesome opportunity to do (almost) whatever the heck you want with our layover! #yeehaw But with great power comes great responsibility, so we have a few guidelines and precautions in place so that we can make the most of our 12n11 experience!
- You are each responsible for your own baggage at all times. You must get your packs from the baggage claim and decide what to do from there.
- The Singapore airport offers 24-hour baggage storage for 12 USD, so that is an option you may want to consider.
- No one may travel alone. The buddy system of 2 or more racers at all times is not optional during this time!
- There should be no Visa cost for leaving the airport and entering Singapore #praise
- You are free to explore as you wish during this time assuming you abide by AIM’s general rules and you make wise decisions regarding distances traveled and allowing for adequate time to be back at the airport.
- Everyone should be back at the designated meeting point (TBD upon arrival) by 9:00pm. Please do not be late!
- SQL’s will confirm that all teams are present, and everyone will enter the airport together by teams. Pick up packs from storage area.
- Logs will ask to open another lane at the check-in area, so follow the normal procedure to check your baggage for the flight and go through security again in your teams.
- Gather at the appropriate gate at 1:00am for the last leg of our Asian adventure, and rest! Ur gonna need it.
- TOUCH DOWN IN AFRICA. Take a moment. Breathe it in. Your first moments in your second continent (or third if you count North America I guess).
- Logs will get sim cards for phone-holders and treasurers will hit up the ATM (Carla will help you with where, when, and how much you will need).
- You may want to grab some moola from the ATM as well since we aren’t sure when we’ll have access to another one, but that’s your call!
- Our ministry host will scoop us up, and voila! We in this mug.
