Hello everyone!
Below is our October update detailing how things are going with Gap Year, a snapshot of what I am responsible for, and what Courtney and I are up to. Thanks for reading!
___________________________________
Gap Year
Our Gap Year Participants were on campus in Gainesville, GA for about 5 weeks, and they are currently in Louisiana helping Samaritan’s Purse with hurricane relief efforts! So far, some highlights of what they’ve done are…
-They went through an Explore Truth course by Impact360 focusing on “What is Truth?” and “How do we, as Christians, live in a culture of subjective truth and moral relativism?” This has really helped them to assess their belief system and distinguish between a biblical worldview and the cultural worldview of America, presently.
-They attended a Jesus + Justice Event in Atlanta, which brings a diverse body of believers together across all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, to demonstrate and fight for unity in the Church. This allowed our participants to see how Christians from diverse backgrounds follow Jesus and act on their faith.
-Daily devotionals, teachings/trainings/activations, and team times to prepare for the field. These trainings and teachings included “How to Discern God’s Voice”, “A History of Missions: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”, “The Miraculous/when God Demonstrates His Power”, “The Bible Story from Beginning to End”, and many other great sessions!
–They are currently in Louisiana, with Samaritan’s Purse, helping with hurricane relief efforts by meeting physical needs while sharing the love and hope of Jesus.
-In 2 weeks, the Racers will launch overseas to Romania, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Much of my job lately has been tying up loose ends and making sure all the details are taken care of so that they can seamlessly and smoothly transition overseas.
-Everyone tested negative for COVID upon arrival in September, tested negative again a week later, and recently tested negative before heading to Louisiana. No COVID outbreak and no need for additional quarantining has been a huge blessing! Pray for all negative tests before their flights!!!
A snapshot of what I do…
–Trained Logistics leaders and Squad leaders on their big-picture financial/logistical responsibilities, including finding lodging, food, and transportation for debriefs (times at the end of a country where the squad comes together to “debrief” all that happened in that country). It can be tricky coordinating all of these things in a foreign country, and so we want to make sure we are setting up our Logistics leaders to succeed.
-I have one more training session with the Squad leaders and Logistics leaders to dig into specifics (software we use, what to do if their credit card isn’t working, etc.), and prepare them for properly documenting transactions and creating expense reports, while on the field. Pray that no details would fall through the cracks and that I would prepare them as best I can for these responsibilities on the field!
–Booked flights for all racers/leaders to Romania, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. This can be a little more complicated than just booking flights. Many countries require “Proof of Onward Travel” showing that you have a plan to leave the country. As a result, we have to coordinate booking the 2nd round of flights as well. With COVID, each country also has different restrictions and testing requirements that we must take into consideration.
-Made sure all participants and leaders were set up with our missions insurance plan. MissionSafe provides an incredible plan for all of our participants/leaders!
-Organized COVID testing before the Samaritan’s Purse trip in Louisiana and also before they depart overseas. Thankfully, Hall County (Georgia) provides free and convenient COVID testing so the biggest logistical aspect is transporting the approximately 130-140 people to the testing site.
–Ordered upgraded phones for Leaders to have on the field, in case of emergency. The phones we had only worked with 1G/2G networks and most countries overseas have now upgraded to 4G networks, with a few still 3G or below. As a result, I ordered new phones and International SIM cards to be compatible with those networks.
Courtney and I….
-Courtney continues to lead kids ministry at Brookside Church in Omaha. She is such a natural at teaching the kids and getting them to pay attention!
–We have continued to meet with people to share about our hearts for Global Missions. We continue to develop partnerships with people who want to support what God is doing in our lives and the direction He is leading us.
–We have been volunteering with TRIBE (middle school youth group) Wednesday nights. I help lead the 7th Grade Boys and Courtney helps lead the 8th Grade Girls. It is preparing us to parent teenagers someday 🙂
-Courtney leads a college-aged women’s group on Sundays. She has really been able to build up the women’s side of the group, as it was previously at 0 people.
-Kids Campout Event last Friday. Courtney and I helped with a camp-out put on by the Kids Ministry team. There were about 30 families who came and camped out on the lawn. It was an excellent time of fellowship and community, even though it was very cold!
–Courtney and I are going to the Dominican Republic in December!!! We are going with our church, Brookside, to serve alongside a missionary family. As of right now, I believe I will be doing some sports ministry (basketball & baseball) in order to reach young Dominican men, as well as some construction work potentially. I have always wanted to do sports ministry and I am very excited for that possibility!
For fun…
-Courtney and I were able to snag some free tickets to a Nebraska football game in September… Couldn’t live in Nebraska without going to see the Cornhuskers play 🙂
-Courtney and I went to a pumpkin patch/apple orchard here in Omaha (Vala’s Pumpkin Patch). It is unlike any one I have been to before. It’s half pumpkin patch/orchard and half amusement park/Disney World. Highlights included apple pie, pig races, and me almost throwing out my shoulder seeing how fast I could still throw a baseball.
-Courtney and I are going “back-country” camping tonight in the Loess Hills of Iowa. We have to hike to our tent site and there is no running water, electricity, or bathrooms. It is supposed to get down into the 30s at night!
Overall, we are practicing our Spanish for the trip to the DR in December and just trying our best to serve and be faithful where God has us now, here in Omaha. Thanks for reading our October update!
*We are continuing to prepare for the future and develop partnerships with people who believe in what we are doing and who want to support what God is doing in our lives. If you would like to be a part of what God is doing, please message/call Courtney or I, or comment below. If you would like to be a financial partner, you can give by clicking the “Donate” link at the top of the page. Thanks for all your support!
