I began 2019 at World Race launch in Atlanta, where 4 January squads meet to begin their Race. They come to Atlanta for 4 days to finalize training. This weekend is always full of emotions and excitement. It is an honor to worship with racers, their families, and staff. Praying over the families and racers as they embark on the next year–of change, growth, and deeper intimacy with the Lord.
This squad has 33 racers in the group 🙂
Here is the order of their countries for their race (January-November 2019)
A Trip to Cambodia
Then on the morning on January 7th, I boarded a plane to fly out to San Francisco. I was flying out there to meet up with my second January squad. We were meeting up to fly out to their training camp. (This is the same process like last year’s training in Colombia and the year before in Uganda).
After arriving in San Fran, I had instant nostalgia. I was on the shuttle riding to my hotel when we swung around to the international terminal…and it struck. Four years ago, I was taking this exact ride to the international terminal to my begin my own journey on the Race. I instantly felt all the anxiety, fears, excitement, longing, anticipation. I didn’t even know those emotions were still in my memory, but they were. It was sweet, to see where the Lord has brought me in the last 4 years since I started my Race.
That evening, the squad had the option to meet for dinner to get to know each other prior to leaving for the trip early the next morning. A majority of the racers were able to attend. It was the first time we were able to meet prior to “airport” day, and I loved getting the chance to meet them, seeing their faces and talk through the unknowns that they were facing as they were just meeting each other for the first time too.
The next morning, January 8th, we met at the airport to actually do the thing! A set of parents of one of the racers prayed over the squad and commissioned the squad for their race. They also helped us out by taking some group pictures for us 🙂
Pray for these racers, by name even 🙂
Back row: Matt, Daniel, Hannah, Emily, Cari, Lindsay, Kaelyn, Tanner, Travis and Josh
Middle row: Chelsey, America, Ana, Sam and Jenna
Front row: Ronny, myself, Hunter and Jacob
Route for this squad, in order for January-November 2019
We spent around 2 days traveling from California to Cambodia. The squad were champs, even through the overnight layover in China. Willingly camping out in the airport to catch some sleep.
Once we arrived in Cambodia, we jumped quickly in to Training Camp. The leadership team led teaching sessions and activations for the racers to begin practicing what they were learning. We spent time in prayer and worship as well.
One of my major roles once I arrived in Cambodia was serving the squad through meal preparations. Since I enjoy cooking, meal prepping, shopping and organizing, this is a perfect niche for me at training camp. This year, I had 3 alumni racers with me to help with meals as well.
*This is a cool story in itself: Taryn, Haley and Mhairi are all Fusion alumni. I advised them as they were preparing for their own races back in 2017 and 2018. It was a beautiful picture of the Lord’s hand in my season of working with Fusion and Unscripted from the beginning (with my own race in 2015). Seeing His faithfulness in providing the literal fruit of my work/job in front of my eyes–reconnecting with racers who walked through the journey of the Race and now are choosing to come back to the field to serve the next squad. To hear the Lord’s work in their lives on the race, but then after the race how He has continued to grow and direct them in incredible ways.
Below: All the Fusion Alumni at training camp. Karen and Tim were my coaches for the race, and they have continued to lead the development and training of Fusion/Unscripted races. Kylee is the mentor for this new squad (to the left of me), and Kate (to the right of me) is one of the alumni leaders on the field with the racers for the first few months of the journey.
Below: The full leadership team on the field for training camp. The Masons (on the far left) are the coaches for this Unscripted squad. Reece (on the far right) is the other alumni racer who will help train and walk alongside of the racers for the first few months.
During down times, we were surrounded by the local children who lived next door. My favorite thing was watching them watercolor. To watch them explore creativity. To allow them a safe space to be, while expressing their own thoughts, emotions and dreams. I pray the Lord continues to grow their desire to be creative, learning to using it as a way to connect with the Lord.
As far as serving on the field, it is a beautiful time for me to get on the field and have time face-to-face with the racers that I’ve worked with months before. The Lord is so sweet to give me time to continue to develop my relationship with the racers, getting the chance to encourage them. But the irony is that I am poured into just as much by them. Their hearts, excitement, and giftings blessed me just as much.
In the little and simple moments, I enjoy just being with them and hearing their hearts. Asking questions, learning from them, praying for them.
I am beyond excited for the Unscripted squad. The Lord has some awesome days ahead of them. Their blogs and stories are so encouraging. You can follow their journeys here too, if you would like!
I appreciate the job I get to call mine. The chance to leave the normal “9-5” desk life for a chance to be face-to-face with hearts that are radically changing for the Lord’s purpose and Kingdom. Getting a chance to walk alongside of their journey is a complete honor.
I appreciate your support and prayers as I continue to work at Adventures in Missions here in Georgia. This year has been incredible so far, and I am anticipating that it is only going to get better!
**If you feel led to donate to support my work here at Adventures, click on the donate button at the top. (I only need $450 to complete my fundraising goal for this year!)
