life update // i’m team leading

hi world!

coming at ya from the states!

gap d touched down in miami, florida june 1st and i flew home to the mountains june 3rd. since then, i’ve been adjusting to life off the field and settling into this season at home. it’s been the weirdest thing but i already feel the Lord growing and moving in my life. 

i want to say the biggest thank you to everyone who followed along on the journey of my race. 9 months of constant change, amazing community, deep growth, and newness! you have been a part of it in big ways, whether it was giving financially, praying for the squad, or just simply reading the blogs. thank you thank you thank you! you all mean the world to me. 

one of the biggest questions i’ve received since being home (and honestly, even before then) is this:  “what are you doing now that the race is over?”

the question stirs up a few things in me. 

am I ready for the questions that will follow my answer? will I disappoint people? is this what’s expected of me?

but all the doubts and questions fall away the second I trust. trust this is His plan and that I haven’t strayed from His presence. 

so… this upcoming fall i am going BACK on the field to Alumni Team Lead with World Race Gap Year. 

for the first 3 months of my race in gainesville, georgia my team had an alumni team leader, Nicole Stepp. her role was to support us spiritually and walk us through the transition of life at home and life on the field. gad d had 6 aTLs (Alumni Team Leaders) who took charge of creating the culture in our church family and setting an example of what these 9 months would look like. after 3 months, they left the field and raised up squadmates to lead and continue the cultivation of what they started. 

this is exactly what I will be doing this september-december. 

alongside some other alumni racers I will be moving back to georgia to lead and live with gap i. these world-changers will have training for 6 weeks on the AIM base before traveling overseas to eSwatini, Thailand, and Costa Rica. I will be joining them for georgia and ministry in africa. 

near the end of my time in georgia (during month 3 of my race), the Lord began highlighting Adventures in Missions for my next steps after the race. i had no idea what this meant until going home during december (month 4) where i discovered a deep passion for discipleship and the training of people my own age. this is a vital time in life to choose direction and purpose for the Lord. and of course, i just love the race. time overseas and living in community has been everything i needed in this season. 

when people ask me why i chose another 3 months on the field i instantly think of the leadership my squad was blessed with. not only our team leaders, but our squad leaders, mentor, and coaches constantly reached out and supported us. they loved us through the thick of it and fought for our growth. my only hope in team leading is to pass on even a glimpse of what their leadership was for me. 

as an alumni team leader i will walk alongside 6-7 girls from gap i. we will create sisterhood together and simply do life alongside one another. even after my part is done, they will continue to be a team, do ministry, and be a family. i simply have the honor of starting off the journey with them. 

there is much more in store but for now, here’s what you need to know:

i’m fundraising again.

you may have noticed that the green bar at the top of the screen no longer has $15,800 and is only $20 full. for 3 months on the field, i will need to raise $3,000 for flights, food, lodging, and other expenses. parts of the racers fundraising will also cover my costs (as mine did last year for leadership). 

i believe in faith that we can be fully funded before team leading even begins – look what we were able to do in a year of fundraising with almost $16,000!

if you are interested in giving, the EASIEST way is through the donate button at the top. all donations through AIM are tax-deductible and all proceeds go directly towards my trip. 

uou can aslo venmo me at gretchenwaters or message me/comment if you have a different method in mind (paypal, cashapp, check, etc.). 

GAP I !

oh my goodness! i am so excited to do life alongside this squad! in less than a week they will be in georgia for training and in september they will move back for the race to begin! this squad needs all the prayers ! here are a few things to keep in mind while you intercede on their behalf:

   boot camp // for 4 days they will be sitting through teachings, living in tents, experiencing community, and more! pray for open hearts and endurance!

   fundraising // almost all of the squad is still fundraising for their 9 month journey. pray for provision and if you feel called, reach out and i can connect you with someone to give!

   leadership // we are all transitioning off the field and now entering into a new season with new people! prayers for ready spirits and a willingness to give. 

that’s all for now! i love you people!

-gretchen jean 🙂

PS: see you soon gap i !! let’s go change the world !