One whole year later I can look back and say that not launching in October of 2018 was one of the kindest things God did for me. At the time, I certainly didn’t see it that way. I was confused, hurt and disappointed that I couldn’t leave at my intended launch window, but God spent time showing me that it wasn’t His timing yet.
There are lessons God taught me while staying back that pushed me through a season of character building and refinement.
Lessons like:
- Real (Hard) Grace
- Discipline
- Obedience
- Stewardship
After much thought, prayer, and time, God confirmed that it was still in His plans to have me squad lead. So with all excitement, I am pleased to announce I will officially be launching in January 2020 as a Squad Leader. For five months I will be discipling missionaries through Central and South America. Training Camp is in Georgia this month to meet and train with a group of young adults who will soon be like family.
Squad Leading is different because the focus of my ministry will be discipling, debriefing and doing ministry alongside new missionaries as an alumni of the program.
I want to take a moment to thank each one of you reading this blog. I find this really important. It means that at some point you’ve taken interest in what God is doing in my life; you’ve donated to God’s Kingdom work to send me abroad; you’ve prayed for me and the mission; and you’ve supported me in ways I’ll never be able to express.
To those who donated to my squad leading last year, I want you to know that you’ve helped me start at $3,000 in funding. It blows my mind how faithful God has been in this way. The money was kept aside in the case that I launched at a later time.
I still have a few thousand dollars more before I am fully funded. I am praying for people to consider partnering as a monthly donor, whether it’s $25, $50, $100 or more. Anything helps, even if it is a one-time gift. The Lord truly is our ultimate source and provider. He has shown me that when He calls someone to the mission field, His provision is faithful to follow.
I want to end this with gratitude and prayer. Gratitude that God continues to call me to “be sent” and that He has surrounded me with so much love and support from my family and community.
Pray that God would prepare my heart for being in this role.
Pray I would lead by following Him and wouldn’t lose sight of that.
Pray He would give me a humble heart and a present mind.
Pray for the Kingdom that is to come from the obedience of this squad.
There will be plenty of blogs to come from this new season, with new stories and a new perspective. I can’t wait to share with you the BIG ways God will move!
God Bless,
Erica
