Hello family and friends!! Praying that you all have enjoyed a warm and splendid summer!! I sure have been busy the last month or so since I last wrote to you all!
Quick Update- Where Have I Been? What Have I Been Doing?:
Back in early August, Y-Squad flew back to Atlanta to undergo Launch Training before heading to their first country, China. At launch we do some additional cultural training as well as logistical training for the field. It’s a pretty short refresher right before they take off. After launch I had a few weeks to prepare for my first ever back-to-back debriefs on the field! Now that I have two squads on the field at the same time I will be doing two debriefs almost every time I leave the country. So at the end of August I flew to Tbilisi, Georgia (yes, Georgia the country) to have a month 8 debrief with T-Squad (January squad). Then from Tbilisi, I flew to Kathmandu, Nepal to do another debrief with Y-squad (August squad) at the beginning of their month 2 (2nd month on the field). Then September 17th, I flew home back to Gainesville, GA. The last few weeks I have spent resting and catching up on some life errands and work emails.
T-Squad Update:
Last I talked about T-Squad in an update we had finished debrief in Kyrgyzstan then headed into Kazakhstan where I spent some time with teams on the field. After Kazakhstan they headed to Azerbaijan via ferry across the Caspian Sea! How magical! 😀
We had a few new contacts in Azerbaijan that my teams got to partner with for the very first time! One included a women’s ministry which the team got to see many women come to know Christ as their Savior for the first time! Following Azerbaijan came Georgia. While in Georgia many of the teams went trekking and got to share the good news with fellow adventure seeking travelers.
Here is a quote from Jacob in his blog about Georgia, “Staying at hostels especially here in Georgia. I noticed the exact same things in every person I met. We are all searching for Joy, Peace, and Satisfaction. Jesus in my life. Is Joy, Peace, and Satisfaction. I got to share the gospel so many times. It’s very natural and flows right out me. Traveling this planet and hearing everyone’s stories is a Joy for me. The hope and Joy of Jesus is like an infection and it just keeps growing!”
At the end of Georgia is when we had our month 8 debrief. This debrief was super refreshing for me! At this point in the race, the squad gets it. They are all on fire for the Lord. They all want this to be more than an 11 month experience but want this Kingdom seeking mindset for the rest of their lives! This debrief encompassed reflecting and processing the last 8 months and then dreaming/praying with the Lord about their future. What sort of work and role do their lives want to have an impact on the Kingdom of God! It was a beautiful time of learning and fellowshipping with one another and seeking God’s purpose for our lives far beyond these 11 months.
(T-squad praying in their new teams during debrief)
(T-Squad praying over me as I get ready to leave them to go to Y-Squad’s debrief)
After debrief the squad stayed in Georgia for Parent Vision Trip (PVT). PVT creates an opportunity for the racer’s parents to come join them on the field for ministry for a week. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay for PVT due to needing to go to Y-Squad’s debrief but I heard some incredible testimonies from that time for both the racers and their parents! God is always moving in the whole family. He is working in the hearts of these racers and their parents all at the same time! As a result, the parents go home changed and get to welcome home their racers with a little bit more understanding of what their year has been like!
(Parker sharing testimonies to the parents and teaching them what their ministry will be for that afternoon!)
After PVT the squad headed into Armenia! Adventures in Missions don’t have any local contacts in Armenia. So we sent the team in there to have what we call an ‘open ministry month’ where they ask God to guide them to people to minister to and potentially to brothers and sisters we can partner with in the future. The teams were able to talk and pray to a lot of people as well as make some lasting connections!
Currently the squad has just landed in Lebanon two days ago! They will be working with a partner who focuses on reaching Muslims and refugees in the area. Please pray for movement of the Spirit as well as protection!
T-Squad Blogs:
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Here Ashley shares briefly about seeing many women choose Jesus in Azerbaijan here!
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Here Heidi writes about her teammate, Jacob, and his personal transformation while on the World Race.
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Susanna gives some info on Georgia and some pictures from their time there here.
Y-Squad Update:
Early August Y-Squad arrived to Atlanta, GA for additional days of training before they took their flight to China! Their time in China was crazyyyy! Some amazing testimonies and stories from their month in China. People were healed, heard about Jesus for the first time, and a family accepted Christ as their Savior! (You can read a little about this story on Laura Leigh’s blog. )
(Y-Squad at training before their flight to China!)
After three weeks in China, the teams met up together to travel overland through Tibet to get to their next country Nepal! Going through Tibet is a HUGE blessing and opportunity! Tibet is one of the most least-reached places for the gospel; meaning that the ability to get information about Jesus is almost non-existent. Tibet is also very very restricted. A foreigner cannot go into Tibet on your own. The only way to travel to Tibet is with an official tour group; meaning the government (China) wants to control what you see and who you talk to while in Tibet. But ‘greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world’. Because even with restrictions and a tour the squad got to pray for people, see healings, share about Jesus and worship freely on a mountainside! I have seen this time and time again where God covers eyes and ears in order for His work to be done!
As they arrived into Nepal, the Squad Coaches and myself were waiting for them in Kathmandu, Nepal for a time of debriefing and on-field training. The first 4 days were spent for debriefing and unpacking their experience being on the field and also their lives; digging into more of who God is and who we are in Him. We desire our people to walk abundant healthy lives of love and grace so that they can lead others into a life with Him. After debrief I stayed for an additional week of training. For training we focus on equipping for ministry. We dug into spiritual kingdoms, living bold Holy Spirit empowered lives, how to share the gospel in different cultural settings and much much more! It was an incredible time for growth and refining!
(Some squad worship at our AirB&B in Kathmandu during debrief.)
(Praying over Kelsey for her birthday during debrief.)
After training was completed the teams headed out to different ministry partners. Teams focused on working with kids in slum areas, supporting local ministry businesses, evangelism, manual labor, ministry to trekkers, just to name a few! Overall, the teams’ time in Nepal was super fruitful.
We have had some sickness with Dengue Fever and stomach issues while in China and Nepal. Please be praying for health and restoration for the squad. As well as their travel day October 1st and 2nd into their next country, India!
Y-Squad Blogs:
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Check out more from Laura Leigh as she shares about healings she received and witnessed while in China here!
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Kati’s blog about their open month in China. God provided many opportunities to connect with locals and to share the good news of God’s love. And her blog about traveling through Tibet! (Password: belove)
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Hannah M shares an awesome story about using what she learned during our debrief and training time in Nepal to see immediate healing and restoration! (Password: beloved) While Hannah S shares about learning to see God as Father here.
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Here Sarah shares about many different ministries they got to partner with while in Nepal. (Password: Isaiah49:6)
(My squad leaders for Y-Squad, Eric and Tamara, as well as our Nepali friend we made while walking to a Buddhist temple.)
