Logistics: 1/3 of the Brain

Majority of the time I am serving a ministry along with the rest of the squad, but sometimes I get to step away to serve my squad specifically. Each squad has a variety of jobs to split up responsibility, and to ensure things run smoothly. At training camp every person was given a job to do as a way to serve our squad. The jobs are team leader, worship coordinator, treasurer, logistics, safety, Beauty for Ashes coordinator, squad leader, or storyteller. I was chosen to be part of the logistics team.

There are three of us on logistics: Madison, Kevin, and me. We are responsible for planning and executing squad debriefs. This means that we search for hostels, airbnbs, or hotels for us to stay in for a time of training and rest. Transportation to and from debrief and airports is included in that.

We also play a big role in getting the squad from our current ministry locations, to the airport, and safely to our next country. We don’t handle the flights, but we do a lot with the details surrounding them. This year we have the extra task of making sure we plan for necessary COVID tests for traveling, and daily COVID checks to keep track of the squad’s health.

Our first month on the field we spent split into our teams, which meant that Madison, Kevin, and I were all spread across Guatemala. This made coordinating logistics very hard. I remember trying to work out details with the other two while we all had different schedules. It was frustrating. Then we got to our first debrief and were finally together again! It was quickly brought up how wonderful it was to have the other 2/3 of my logistics brain with me again. Since then we have referred to each other that way.

So, without further ado, here are the other 2/3 of my logistics brain! (Also enjoy our answers to a few questions, and click their names to check out their blogs.)

1/3: Kevin Thomas

What was your first thought when given logistics?

When we first got the news back in October I initially denied it, but then I prayed and God revealed that it was where He wanted me.  So by the time I left training camp I agreed to it reluctantly, simply because everything that had to do with Logistics was not my strong suit. Literally, I was awful at everything that we had to do as a logistics leader. Which was awesome, come to find out, because I had to rely on God to give me everything I needed to do the job. He showed up and helped me do everything I thought I was terrible at. 

What do you enjoy about the role?

Watching God show up for me was my favorite part of being logistics! Mistakes were made of course, but never in a way that was devastating. Mostly because logistics was handled as a team, so where I would make a mistake my awesome teammates would be able to pick up! 

Why do you love your logistics teammates?

My logistics teammates were Alayna wood and Madison Cooley! They were so gracious and highly skilled at dealing with logistics and thinking logistically! So I really enjoyed working with these two. It was awesome because we referred to one another as 1/3 of each other’s brain! It really took all 3 of us to tackle the task given us. I love both of my teammates and have a special tying bond with each of them because we got to share stress, responsibilities, mistakes, and victories, and see God’s hand moving in a special way on behalf of the squad. It has been amazing getting to build a relationship with these two. They loved me so well, with such grace and patience. Both of them are such good representations of Christ, from Alayna’s administrative gift and amazing ability to lead from a servant perspective, to Madison’s boldness and awesome ability to maintain order. 

What have you learned in this role?

This role has truly been amazing up to this point! I went into this at launch dreading this position because there was so much room for error and it could affect the whole squad, but God was faithful and I ended up actually finding so much joy in serving the squad this way. It has taught me so many valuable lessons like how to trust God with my weakness, and how to let others be strong on behalf of my weaknesses. It’s also taught me how to travel around the world if God ever decides to send me in that direction by myself! 

2/3: Madison Cooley

What was your first thought when given logistics?

When they first asked if I would be willing to do logistics, my initial thought was no way, not me. I’m not the planner of my friend group, I’m the one to say, “just tell me when and where to be.” But as I sat with it, I heard the Lord tell me I’ve gotten lazy and this is something He’s wanting to grow me in. So of course I had to say yes haha.

What do you enjoy about the role?

I love getting to plan where we’re going, what we’re doing, and having things organized for our squad. I never thought I’d like making decisions for a group of people (hi, my name is Madison and I’m a recovering people pleaser), but it’s been so fun to explore and dream with my logistics team. On our travel days, I’m getting to take charge and lead our group through the airport, making sure everyone has what they need, knows where to go, and how to get there. I love getting to see all the pieces come together, even if it’s not what we originally planned. But no matter what, it’s so much better because that means it was God’s plan, not ours.

Why do you love your logistics teammates?

Alayna and Kev are literally a part of me at this point. We can bounce ideas off one another when planning and process through meltdowns together (it’s happened). We have so much fun and can tell when one another is needing a break. I love getting to dream of all the possibilities with them. Really, I could go on, but the gist of it is that we each have unique strengths and weaknesses that God’s using to help us work together. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

What have you learned in this role?

Oh wow, where to begin?? Like I said, I’ve never been much of a planner, but I’m discovering that I love it. I’m learning how to plan events, what it takes to travel from one country to another, and how to get all of this done while doing our normal ministry. God has been using this role to show me places that I’m gifted without realizing it as well as redeeming wounds from the past where I have tried to do this type of role but didn’t know how to balance it with building relationships. He’s teaching me how to lead with grace and love.

3/3: Me!

What was your first thought when given logistics?

When I was first pulled aside at training camp and asked to be part of the logistics team for my squad, I was shocked and I immediately felt inadequate. It hadn’t occurred to me that it could be something I was good at. I didn’t consider myself someone who was good with details, but the people around me saw it even if I didn’t, and called it out. I knew it was going to be a challenge and an area of growth. But I felt God telling me this was what he had for me, so I said yes.

What do you enjoy about the role?

I enjoy the search. It’s fun to look at different cities, hostels, websites, etc., trying to find the place that fits the squad for our debriefs. Plus, it’s a totally different space to watch God provide in. We get to see Him in all the big details, as well as the tiniest ones we don’t see at first. He has multiplied our money when we didn’t think we had enough, placed the coolest debrief locations right in our laps, and even worked out the coolest adventure day in Guatemala: hiking an active volcano!

Why do you love your logistics teammates?

Madison and Kevin are both amazing people, and we have a lot of fun together! The three of us have had many nights of laughter, and hysterics, as we try to make the pieces of our logistics puzzle fit together for our squad. We balance and compliment each other so well. God has gifted each of us in such different ways, but it makes us an effective team when we use those gifts. I’ve loved getting to share this experience with them.

What have you learned in this role?

I have learned a lot in this role. The biggest area is realizing that I can’t, and shouldn’t, carry the weight of this by myself. It’s easy to try and figure everything out on my own, but God has consistently reminded me that we work better together than we would doing this separately. It’s not a one person job. He gave us a team of three for a reason, and it is so much more beautiful when we are working together. I’ve also learned to barter for prices on hostels, to make sure to take money out of the ATM earlier rather than later, and to enjoy the process without getting overwhelmed with stress.