I landed in Georgia August 27th and immediately started getting to know the 28 other people on P squad. It’s been interesting hearing their stories of how they got here. God has worked in amazing ways, and He has continued to do so.

It’s been two weeks of sleeping in my tent. I find it quite cozy, comfortable, and just a tad bit stinky. We’ve sat through sessions on identity, the Gospel, truth, mission, unity, and lies. These have all helped train us to be vessels for God’s love and grace as we head out to help expand His kingdom. The Lord has provided leadership for us that are sacrificial, wise, loving, and fun. 

I noticed i’ve been more quiet than usual. There is a lot happening and I want to engage with everyone, but there are so many thoughts to process. 

God has been teaching me to let go and listen to Him. I like to have control of what is happening around me. Previously I wrote a blog about how I need to let my expectations go. I’ve made it a hard time for God to be God. I also have to understand my humanity and weaknesses so I can fully embrace the Lord’s forgiveness. We are all flawed, but we have to be willing to let God work through us. I’m sure abandonment will be a major theme through this year of being a living sacrifice.

A few months ago God said I shouldn’t assume leadership positions. That I needed to work on being a follower, obedience, and a lot of trust. Just because I’ve been a leader for the past few seasons does not mean God wants me there now. 

An example of letting God work my life is with the role I accepted on my team.

One of my squad alumni leaders asked me to have the Beauty for Ashes role. All I knew was it had to do with womens ministry. I told her I probably didn’t have enough compassion for that role, but I would think and pray about it. I was thinking I needed ‘enough’ compassion on my own. God will provide. I thought others would be better at it. God has always used imperfect people. I thought I would be better at other roles. God will expand my capabilities, humility, and obedience. 

Things make a lot more sense from God’s perspective. Also, after talking to a friend from home, she mentioned how I had wanted to learn to sit with people better and pursue a counseling psychology degree. This role would be great practice for that. 

I still don’t know too much about Beauty for Ashes, but I know I am in charge of creating and facilitating events to share God’s restoration, hope, and healing with women in our ministry locations. 

P Squad

[This includes a total of 5 teams being sent to Guatemala in a few days! Yes, we did get second place when competing against the other four squads. We performed a successful synchronized swimming routine on grass within the competition.]

Our Squad Vision: Because we bear the image of Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will steward what the Father has entrusted to us through truth, love, integrity, service, and faith. 

Lawn Chair Crisis

[This is the family i’m traveling with to at least Guatemala. Our ministry site is in Petén, called One Way. We arrive there around the 23rd of September after being at the Adventures in Missions Guatemala base for a few days. Alyssa, Jaden, Michael, Jakson, me, Jordan]

Our values within the team:

The lawn chair crisis brothers and sisters are a loving a safe family that are committed to respect and honesty, while being full of grace as we display harmony with each other and in Christ.

Prayer request:

Abandonment. Brokeness. Dependence. 

You can be praying for me to allow God to guide me, as opposed to me acting on my own without Him. To be aware of what I need to abandon. 

You can also pray for humility (yikes) as I practice submitting to and trusting leadership. 

You can also pray for me to be sensitive to the Spirit. To act on His voice when witnessing to others.

Not my will, but His,

Sarah