Hey everyone! It’s been too long and I just want to start by saying, I appreciate every single one of you that have partnered with me, supported me, prayed for me, and walked with me over the last couple of years and months!
Quick life update: I’ve graduated from the CGA apprenticeship (10/10 would highly recommend anyone wanting to be wrecked in all of the best/hardest ways), and traveled back to Oklahoma where I helped a family member out with recovery from a surgery (mostly with kiddos) and have spent time catching up with loved ones. I planned on working and staying in the area for a bit and either helping to lead a missions trip in January or do something to that extent but wasn’t expecting anything to happen with that until after the first of the year…
3 weeks ago, while getting ready to transition from helping with kids into the next thing, I received an email from my former Squad Mentors looking for people that wanted to lead for the squads (or groups) leaving for the World Race in August… I was instantly sweaty palmed and after chaotically trying to decipher what I was feeling, went and asked the Lord what was happening and whether I should apply to lead for a trip leaving so soon…and as He does, He simply asked me a question, “are you free to make this choice or are you afraid?”
I was also reminded of everything we learned in CGA about risk, failure, freedom and fear and decided the worst thing they could tell me was no (in reality; the scariest thing they could say was yes). So I applied to help lead a trip in August and by the following Tuesday, I was set to Team Lead for the Expedition Squad and had Training Camp starting that weekend in Georgia!
So, there I was. Booking a last minute flight to Georgia to meet a new leadership team, a new squad, and be back on the Adventures base that I’ve come to know so well. Turns out, several people from my former World Race squad were there and 3 of them are on the squad I’m team leading for!! God is so kind; He didn’t have to give us a mini reunion and we would have been just fine, but He did and it was so sweet.
Meeting a new squad with new leadership while stepping into leadership has been hard; it’s not easy to transition so quickly on such short notice, however, Abba is so gentle with me and has reminded me over and over that it’s not about me, it’s not about the turnaround or the countries we’re going to. It’s about simple obedience and trusting Him in all things.
So what does “alumni team leading” for the World Race look like?
Well, the big group of people (referred to as a “squad”) travel together, debrief together, and sometimes end up at the same ministries together; the squad is broken into small groups that are called “teams.” The teams do everyday life together, ministry, etc. And I will be with one of those teams for 3 months; helping steward the World Race culture of intimacy, community, and mission, communicating with hosts, overseeing the mental, physical and spiritual health of the team, and after those 3 months, I’ll train up someone to take over, and then head back to the good ol’ USA (at least, that’s the plan for now).
I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the thought of leaving again in just over a week to Georgia before launching with M Squad. I don’t want to leave again and yet, I equally long to be back out in international missions. I’m also stepping into a role that I haven’t held before so that carries its own weight too.
I’ll be getting more details about exactly where we’re going and who my team is soon, I know that we will be in the 10/40 window (Eastern Europe) and ministering to mostly unreached people groups. Romania is on the agenda and we are waiting on confirmation for that.
How to partner with me:
- The trip for me is around $4,300 plus any personal expenses I have while I’m on the field. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially! God always comes through in incredible ways and I’m so grateful!! I appreciate all of the support!
* For a tax-deductible donation: click the Donate button on the top of this blog site! (Things are still being updated so it may not show up just yet)
* Venmo: @Niecey-Odom
* PayPal:@janieceodom
* Cash App: $NieceyOdom - Subscribe to nieceyodom.adventurescga.org to follow along (and immediately receive newsletter updates from me).
- Reach out to me and let’s meet (even if it’s virtually).
How to partner in prayer:
- The physical/spiritual/mental health and safety of my leadership team and the entire squad. Spiritual warfare is very present in quite a few of the places we’re going, Covid & Covid restrictions are still ongoing, and emotional burnout is high for missionaries in the areas we’ll be in (especially in a post-covid world).
- Provision and funding for the ministries and the entire squad (myself included).
- Unity within the squad and leadership both on the field and off.
- Guidance and discernment for myself and the rest of leadership. That Holy Spirit would be the ultimate voice that leads.
You guys are amazing and I’m thankful for each of you.
Forever on an adventure with Abba,
Niecey
