Well friends, this year-long journey of following Jesus into the nations and reminding the world of His great, constant, unending love for us begins in just six days! SIX DAYS! I am excited, nervous, and grieving what I’m about to leave behind while rejoicing with thoughts of what’s to come.
I wanted to take some time to introduce you to the people I will be serving alongside and living life with during this next year. Spoiler alert: THEY’RE FABULOUS.
O Squad Wolfpack
Meet O Squad! Our official name is “O Squad” but you’ll hear us referred to as the Wolfpack. These beautiful souls are my family for the next year, and I have a feeling probably for forever. Together we will travel country to country as a squad of 43. Once we arrive in each country we’ll split up into our smaller teams for ministry.
Which brings us to our next set of introductions:
Left to Right: Jordan, Katie, Me, Erin, Jordie, Jennie Kate
Meet my team: Sonflower! I get the privilege of doing ministry with these five wonderful women for the start of the Race. Every team is created with incredible intention by World Race staff during Training Camp. Our teams were carefully crafted, taking into account each person’s strengths and skills; what each person adds to a team and what kind of atmosphere that team will create and carry into ministry. Not only were teams created with practical purpose, but they were also created with great prayer, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
World Race staff sees value in casting vision, and the vision for our team is one of joy and deep relationship building – which I am so pumped about!
The majority of our team photos look like this one…
Not only do I get to call myself a Sonflower, but I was also asked to lead this team of wonderful women. And, well, I said YES! I’m honored that these women and the AIM staff saw something in me that they are willing to follow and help me grow over the months ahead.
My squamates and fellow Team Leaders the morning we all said yes to leading!
Left to Right: Dan, Kelsey, Me, Ellen, Caitlyn, Cherish, Keaton
Finally, here’s a photo of four important members of the Wolfpack’s training team! Chrissy, our Squad Mentor, will be overseeing and taking care of our entire Squad from AIM’s base in Georgia. Hannah, Anna, and Hunter are our Squad Leaders! They have each completed the World Race and will be traveling with our Squad for the first 5 months, working with each team, and helping us adjust and thrive in this new way of life.
I already have so much love and respect for these four! I don’t know how we got lucky enough to have all of them leading us, it doesn’t seem fair to the other squads at all.
Left to Right: Chrissy (Squad Mentor), Hannah, Anna, and Hunter (Squad Leaders)
As you join me in praying over the journey ahead, keep these faces and names in mind as we all learn a new way of life together, drawing closer to the Father’s heart by loving on His people around the world.
