Called Into Uncertainty

Things look so much different here at Adventures in Missions than what I remember from my first World Race training camp experience 2 years ago. Obviously, it’s because we live in a Covid19-world. But that’s okay! It seems we’ve all been doing a great job at adapting to the state’s Covid and camp related restrictions and procedures that are implemented on campus. 

The Lord has called 110 Gap Year world racers for this September launch window! So, in total the racers are registered to 4 different squads/routes. During this time, it is the World Race’s first time ever 3-month discipleship semester on campus before launching onto the field in January. Our squads are and most likely will stay separated here on campus and we’ve already been doing a great job to make this semester a success and providing space for God to transform hearts despite our social distancing. 

Because the 4 squads are separated and required to social distance, it has created a unique bonding experience to where our squad has been able to focus on relationships more with each other in our own squad. It has been beautiful to watch our teams choose intentional quality time with each other and how they learn from each other as they grow their relationship with the Lord. There have been moments where I’ve had to pause my mind for a minute, to step back and look at God working in the hearts of  these young adults. In those moments, my heart was flooded with compassion which ultimately comes from the heart of our Father. God has revealed to me that they have responded to God’s pursuit after them and He’s entrusted me to be here with them in this time to disciple and be the love of God in their lives that they need. 

God has called me into this position to squad lead for my squad and it is an honor and blessing to be here. Let me tell you… A few years ago I would have never thought that I would be capable of doing a service like this. Going into this I expected that I would grow, but I wasn’t sure how exactly I would roll right into this. My co-leaders and I had 2 weeks of leadership training before the racers got here and for the racers’ first two weeks it has been their training camp. 

We’ve finally united together as a squad and OH, how sweet it is!! The first two weeks our squad was split in half to maintain the spread of the virus if it occurred. But praise God, we have not had a case. Our squad’s relationships are growing and bonding sweeter than I had imagined. Instead of sitting in assigned teams’ dining tables, they came up with the idea to dine together facing each other by creating one big table. So cute! 

Throughout this experience so far, I have had uncertainty of how to lead the squad with possible unexpected changes or new set of rules to follow related to Covid stuff as time goes on. Or even being uncertain of the travel/ministry plans come January. We are sure of this, that there are plans for us to leave Georgia in January to start ministry elsewhere. This year is teaching me to be present, patient, but ready for what’s next.

Overall, as I’ve been learning to give grace to myself, I’m learning to live out and show grace to my squad as well. Even if it were to be rough having to lead a squad who is just as uncertain as I may be, the Lord is using this time to teach me to communicate well and exercise patience through it all. I have been amazed so far at how my co-leaders and I have been able to jump in and work together to meet the responsibilities we’ve been given. 

Recently I have been reading the book of Joshua. I’ve come to some revelation from God about Joshua’s response. Just as God had spoken to Joshua to bring His chosen people to the promised land and Joshua didn’t question God right away, I believe the Lord is teaching me to respond in the same manner. Joshua just heard and went by the promises God gave Him. God just demanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid or discouraged. Though Joshua was unaware of how he would get God’s people into the chosen land, He still had His trust in God. I believe there’s a reason why God has brought me to read this book for this specific time. We or  myself  may not know exactly where God will take us this year, but He is calling me to trust Him and believe that the places we’ll go with this squad this year are planned by the Lord. Wherever God takes us, we will bring Him Glory! 

Below are pictures of the whole squad and what a morning daily devotion looks like.