Tired. Over it. Ready to get home. These are the feelings of many on Q squad. The squad I led. They travel today from Moldova to Turkey. Their 11th and final country. Their final month out on the field. More than a year ago, they responded to the call God placed on them to go on this crazy thing called the World Race. They excitedly, yet nervously left their families, their friends, their jobs, sold possessions, and put their futures on hold and in God’s hands to go traipsing around the world serving as MISSIONARIES! Spreading the gospel. Not just the “good news”, but hope. The hope that faith that Jesus is who He said He is gives those who believe. And love people while they are at it.
As I went to Nepal to meet with them for their month 8 debrief back in February, they needed refreshment and encouragement to persevere through the last leg of the race. Their last 3 countries. They had certainly had some rough patches and were battling fatigue. Constant company for 8 months straight. Abiding by Adventures in Missions guidelines. Rough countries, food, illness, contacts, physical work. And for some of them, tears at the thought of no alone time for still the next 3 months. Idealizing their affection for America. To think of continuing on the Romania, Moldova, and Turkey seemed right and good but maybe the most challenging of the entire race thus far. And for some, it has been. But here they go. To set out for the next 48-ish hours by bus to Antioch, Turkey. Biblical, historical lands! And I’m pumped for them. This is where their history, their lineage began. What an amazing reward for them.
I’ve had the blessing of taking advantage of God’s gift of technology to skype with quite a few of them since visiting them in Nepal. My heart struggles sometimes to be here when where I really want to be is with them. But God is blessing me with a new season. A new home. A new roommate. A new job. New co-workers. New ministry. But gosh, my heart longs to be out in the world with Q squad. Fortunately, I get to go back out to them at the end of May. For the FINAL debrief. Their final week on the field. Before they all head back to America. I look forward to spending time with each team, going over the last 11 months. Celebrating a job well done. “Well done, good and faithful servant” is what I long to be honored with a voice to say to them. To laugh with them. To rejoice. After these next 3 weeks, their hard work and iron sharpening, stressful, joyful growth of this season of their lives is over and they’ll move onto the next.
And I get one more blessed trip to Turkey in order to pour into this squad one final time out on the field. This time, to celebrate and prepare their hearts, minds, and bodies a little more for their return home to America before “reverse culture shock” sets in. As I go out to support missionaries in this season of their return home, feel free to contact me if you would like to financially support me as I go. I feel like I’ve been support raising for-ev-er!!! And this is the final leg… I think 😉
But more than anything, I ask that you pray for them. Pray for their strength in this final month. Words and wisdom to spread the gospel in Turkey where Christianity is oppressed and missionaries are black listed. Where Muslims have a pre-conceived notion of Christians as people of Hollywood and drunks. They have an American reputation to combat. Pray for them to love one another well. That their love for each other and the respect they shower over one another would naturally pour out to the locals that they work with and meet. That God would open doors for the gospel. The truth. For true, authentic hope for the Turkish people.
PRAY THAT Q SQUAD WOULD FINISH WELL!
Although you do not know this squad of 42 people, I bet you can related to them more than you think. Think outside of the box. And I ask you, what is your race? What is your “11 month mission”? A season that may be coming to an end that you have devoted yourself fully to? A season that has been amazing, yet ending. Do you have one? How are you wanting to finish? What I’m asking you to pray for them, pray for yourself as well. Finish well. That you may hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
