so what’s the plan? an update!

hey friends, family, and strangers! 

as quarantine, social distancing, and all things “corona” have progressed and continued on i felt the need to hop on here and share some updates and address concerns for my upcoming gap year. 

first of all, the plans have not changed! AIM is very hopeful that racers will be launching onto the field come september. that being said, they felt it would be the most wise thing to begin brainstorming ideas and imagining possibilities if we are not allowed to travel internationally at that time. 

i will keep you updated as we receive emails and if major changes arise! if needed, AIM is willing to train and disciple all world race squads at their base in gainesville, georgia. and they are very qualified to do so! they train the upcoming generations throughout the year and even have programs dedicated to discipleship (ex: CGA). 

at first, the idea of the plan changing scared me to death! i was confused and honestly fearful. but the Lord changed my perspective in a matter of hours, affirming my decision to join gap year. wherever i am this september, i will be doing the work God has set out for me! 

once again, we still plan to launch immediately after training camp (which was moved from july to sept.) and i would greatly appreciate prayers towards this! for the Lord to make a way, and that His will would be done with squad d (thats my squad:) ) and all of gap year! 

another cool thing is this: our squad mentor has been announced! for those wondering what that means, the most amazing Madison Goodwin is looking out for my squad and helps us with basically every thing. She will do a lot of the background work of our year, give us curriculum, is there to encourage us, and will visit us on the field a few times during the year! I recently had a zoom call with her and a few squad mates and i can say she is the coolest! our squad is already super grateful for her. 

in the coming weeks and months our squad will be meeting and discussing many different topics like living on the field, how other culture’s work, and also getting to know each other more along the way! we are very excited to learn and begin training (a little less than 4 months until we launch!!)

no matter the plan for our 9 months, i am still on the road to fundraising $15,600, which has been a journey all on its own. currently, i am a little under $10,000 ! i am so thankful for all who has given and have helped to make it this far, whether financially or in prayer. with all the calculations, i would need to raise $1,400 each month until august, in order to be fully funded before launch! 

while it can be a scary thing, i know the Lord will provide in His time, whether it’s in the next month, before launch, or even while in the field. His will WILL be done just as He has planned. 

if you would like to join in this journey i really do ask that you take time to pray with the Lord, your spouse, family, roommate, parents, etc. and ask if you are led to give! trust me, He will answer. and if you feel led, ask for a number from the Lord! maybe He is simply asking you to give up a morning starbucks run and donate $5. maybe $50, $100, $200, who knows! the Lord will make it clear where you are meant to go and how you can give. and maybe you are in a season right now where you really can’t give financially, ask the Lord, and maybe He simply wants you to spend time in prayer over me, my squad, and the 9 months to come. 

it says in His word “ask and you shall receive.” so today i simply want you to ask. because you will receive. 

i want to encourage any act of giving today, of any amount, or any prayer. it builds the kingdom of heaven in ways we can’t even imagine. it’s not just about ME and MY gap year, but more so HIS plan, HIS purpose, and HIS kingdom, and allowing children of God to hear His name across the world. 

with all this being said. thank you ! you are loved (and sent!)

-gretchen 🙂