We’re over halfway through our route and it has been an incredible yet challenging experience. Recently, my race has changed its course. At the last debrief Neal and I were raised up as Squad Leaders (SQL). This makes our race a little different. Normally, a team stays with a host for 3-4 weeks doing various types of ministry. However, SQLs spend 1-2 weeks with teams helping in ministry, team dynamics, and pouring into the squad. A lot of what we do will be focused more internally: investing, directing, and of course a lot more emails. We get the humbling opportunity to be a vessel for the Father, watching the squad strive for His heart as Jesus does radical things. So far on the race I’ve had the privilege to see many squad mates grow in Godly character and that will only continue in this next season.
I’ve only been a squad leader for 3 weeks but it feels much longer. In the past 3 weeks we’ve:
– Exchanged over 50 emails and hundreds of messages with the office back in the states
– Made dozens of work related phone calls
– Had weekly FaceTime meetings with our mentor
– Sat in on too many debrief meetings
– Watched a team build a healthy and vulnerable environment
– Helped lead worship at several churches
– Seen squad mates step up preaching nightly
– Had to leave a team last minute to help with a sick racer
– Lost count of the hours spent traveling
– Facilitated several one-on-one meetings
– Taken a few hospital trips 😉 (shoutout to Anouk)
– Read dozens of squad “Challenges and Celebrations”
– Sat bed side with sick friends
– Had friends sit bed side with sick me
– Slept little
– Laughed a lot
All that has happened in these 3 weeks has been extremely humbling; I get to watch Jesus go to work in the lives of our squad while He continuously works in mine. I’ve learned a lot about myself through this process. I’ve grown with Christ in boldness, obedience, relationships, and service.
Life is different. Ministry is different. It’s challenging but growing. Some days are difficult and frustrating. Making several phone calls a day and having to drop everything you’re doing to immediately get on an 8 hour bus ride is not always the most enjoyable thing. Getting told you’re not doing enough isn’t that fun either. Trying to constantly love someone that doesn’t want to receive it can get discouraging too, but that’s what this is all about. It’s about learning to love like Christ showing selfless, unconditional love. It’s about learning to serve even when it’s inconvenient. It’s about learning how die to ourselves to meet people where they’re at. It’s about learning how to embrace the Father’s heart in all aspects of life. It’s what I wanted out of this trip.
Some days I definitely doubt my abilities to lead. Peer leading is a weird thing; especially when I’m one of the youngest on our squad. Fortunately, I have 29 people that encourage, uplift, speak life, and challenge me to step into the season God has me in. Thank you L Squad for always pushing and supporting me to learn and grow in new ways. You guys are a joy and I can’t imagine being on this journey with anyone else.
