I have spent a lot of time thinking of a fun punch line or some fancy way to say this but…
I HAVE DECIDED TO SQUAD LEAD FOR WORLD RACE GAP YEAR !
For those who know what that means… I know it’s awesome and I can’t wait to start!!
For those who don’t… let me explain.
As most of you know in 2019 I did the World Race. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met the Lord in ways I did not know possible and traveled to places I never knew existed. What happened changed me and the people around me changed me.
I knew I was supposed to go on the World Race. There’s no question about that. I remember at my launch two days before I left for Honduras my mom looking at me with tears in her eyes telling me this was where I was supposed to be. Leaving was painful, unknown and the hardest thing I had done.
And I almost quit.
Month 1 was hard. I struggled a lot where we were emotionally, spiritually, and physically. We arrived in Nicaragua for our first debrief with our leadership team and I can remember that first night thinking “I want to go home. This is a mistake and I don’t want to be here anymore.” Luckily I had a team of God-fearing people over me who believed in me more than I ever did.
That team was made up of 6 people: My mentor, my 2 coaches, and 3 squad leaders. My mentor worked for AIM and my coaches were an more experienced couple who oversaw our squad from back home and visited us every few months. Our Squad Leaders were past Racers who gave up their time, finances, and their immediately future to serve us and help guide us through all the things World Race on the field, whether it be the physical toll, emotional or spiritual problems, or even how to live in a new environment in a new country.
No one made me stay. But they led in into more healing and hard conversations than I had before. They were there when I finally met God as my Father and walked through some of the heaviest seasons of my life. It is amazing what happens when you leave the comfort of your home, live in a community of strangers, and decide to live a life that isn’t focused on yourself. Stuff comes up and out.
And my squad leaders were there every step of the way. They showed us Jesus every day and my World Race would not have been what it was without their help, support, and their friendship. They lived like Jesus to the best of their ability every day. They challenged me, pursued me, and lifted me up both on the field and when they left.
Since doing the Race and finishing my time here at CGA, I knew I wanted to give back. The last few seasons of my life have been people intentionally pouring into my life. I asked the Lord how I can give away, lead in discipleship, and start putting what I have learned into action.
With a lot of planning, praying, council and all the things I am so happy to announce that I am leaving again for the field!!!!
I chose to Squad Leading as an Alumni Racer for GAP YEAR!! Unlike the 11n11 journey I did last year, Gap Year is a 9 month commitment for the whole span of the World Race. Also, the age range is 18-20 year old Racers. I will be living with Racers and living life with them. This looks like leading in ministry, one on one discipleship, logistical and financial planning, friendship, and so much more!
I remember meeting a Gap Year Squad (Squad A) my last month of the World Race back in November of 2019 and I fell in love with them immediately. They stole my heart. It was one of the best experiences of the Race and the words to describe that experience will always fall short!
This is what it’s about people!!! Making disciples! Getting people on fire for the Lord! So much is broken in this world and with everyday that passes the breaches in society spread farther and farther. More hurt. More wounds. More problems. My heart has been set ablaze to help see a rise of a generation more focused on the REAL love of Christ and it’s redemption power in this world.
I want to see the rise of a powerful generation that does not fall victim to the brokenness of the world. I want to see a generation that stands against oppression and sees the hurt and fights for freedom of others in the name of Jesus.
Gap Year has those kind of people. God has used the World Race to transform my life and so many more and it is a humbling thought that the Lord has given me the chance to be a part of that. I knew I was supposed to go on the Race and the people there helped show me the power I have within myself to be a person who fight for the name of Freedom.
And if I can do that for one more person, if I can help one other person come to find their identity in the Lord, if I can help someone find the strength to live the life the Lord has molded them for, if I can show someone the love that Christ has for them, then I will run after this with all that I have.
And that’s exactly what I am doing.
I can imagine there are a lot of questions concerning the safety of this within the realms of the Pandemic. I know. Nothing is set in stone. There are a lot of moving parts that I do not have answers to yet. But I have more trust in the Lord than in the world. AIM is working hard to keep the Gospel moving and keeping all participants safe. Once the information is there to share, I will share it!
Yes, I will be fundraising again. As of right now I have about $10,000 dollars to raise for both Squad Leading in the field and for finishing CGA. To honor CGA, I am fulfilling my fundraising commitment with them first before I begin Squad Leading.
I have a lot more information to come over the summer!! If you want to continue to partner with me please let me know. If you would like to host a fundraising event, or want to just talk to me about my continuing journey as a missionary please, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I love sharing what the Lord is doing! I have included my contact info below along with a donation link and a link to World Race Gap Year if you want more info about this specific program!
DONATION LINK:
https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=staff&desc=Carter%20Groves&appeal_id=GROVESCARTER
GAP YEAR WEBSITE:
https://www.worldrace.org/christian-gap-year-program/
Love you all and thank you for praying and following my journey!!
Carter
(770) 530-3164
