2016 Year End Review (a month late)

We are about 40 days into the new year but it’s never too late to reflect on the past year, the challenges and celebrations. Here’s my year end review from 2016:

 

January (Peru)

B squad. The beginning of a new season. This month, I launched along with my 2 co-leaders and 33 other crazy folks to the nations. Our first stop was Peru. Honestly, I had no idea what I was about to embark on. A year and half prior to this moment, I launched on my Race but this time was much different. I not only launched with B squad to the nations but felt that the Lord launched me into my Kingdom Calling (to empower and propel my generation and the ones to come into their own dreams through discipleship and hands on ministry).

February (Ecuador)

Team Boom. The epitome of iron sharpening iron. Cali (left) and Brittany (center) were my co-leaders. Empowered, Challenged and Loved are only a few words to describe what both of these women were for me. I’m grateful for these two. And at the end of the day, we knew how to have fun. This photo captures a moment from one of my favorite days from my 17 months on the World Race. 

March (Colombia)

Team First Responders. Guys, at times this team was a mess. I’m sure they’d be one of the first to admit it. This team reminded me of my first team on my Race back in 2014 (team Boundless). That team was a mess as well. But the beautiful thing about a team with lots of mess is the redemption process that the Lord brings (if you choose). The Lord is quick to teach me that if you pursue challenges, you’ll ultimately pursue growth. And team Boundless for me is what I hope team First Responders was for them – a messy team but one that you’re thankful for and had experienced a tremendous amount of growth.

April (Greece)

Lesvos, Greece. The island where thousands of refugees from numerous countries have flooded to evade persecution, torture and death. What. A. Month. This month was filled with story after story about destruction, fear and death. But somehow every story ended with Hope. And whether these refugees were Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Atheist, I knew that the Lord was at work. My Father is so much bigger than all of this and I don’t think it’s coincidental that destruction, fear and death have given way to Hope. 

May (Montenegro)

Discipleship. This was my last month of squad leading. Paris (left) and Sally (center) were two of B squad’s leaders throughout the Race. One of my passions is to help others identify the fear and doubt in their lives. Fear and doubt that causes them to be stagnant in their walk. Fear and doubt that is used to keep them from the life that the Lord intended for them. I had the honor to invest in these two and see them flourish into the man and woman that the Lord created them to be. The beautiful thing is that they were that for their teams and their squad. Discipleship isn’t just multiplication but also investment. 

June (Albania)

Team Baconators. The men of 4th gen B & C squads joined up for a month of manistry in Albania (no this doesn’t happen very often). This month was spent the way you would expect it: men being men. It was full of kids ministry, investment in each other and challenges and celebrations. Lots of soup, mustaches and a beautiful community of believers were also highlights. The Lord blessed me with this final month.

July

Transition. The end of one season with no clear direction for the next. This month, I arrived back in the States and went home to Kentucky for a few weeks with no idea what was next. However, way back in January the Lord told me I’d move to Georgia and work at Adventures. That’s great and all but with no substance to that, I was lost and unsure what was to come. At the end of the month, B squad had their month 7 debrief and I flew out to see them in Nepal still with no direction. I flew back to Georgia and the day I landed, I had an interview.

August

Gainesville, Georgia. My new home. I moved to a new state and started a new job. Halfway through the month of August, I received a call from Adventures in Missions. I’d been accepted for a mobilizer position in the Admissions department. This meant that I’d help mobilize future World Racers as they prepare and fundraise to head out onto the field. I remembered back to January when the Lord told me I’d be here. Not a coincidence. 

September

Adventures in Missions. My first full month of work. This month was filled with lots of challenges as I learned the ins and outs of my job, searched for community and continued to seek the Lord for His promises. But this month was also filled with tons of celebration. The Lord blessed me with great community and had given me a position with Adventures where I could invest and disciple in the future generation (one of my passions). 

October

Freedom. One night this month, I went to a Bethel Worship Night in Atlanta. There’s nothing special about Bethel or Amanda Cook or Jeremy Riddle. They are just obedient. That night the Lord gave me a vision of the American church with shackles that had begun to break off. As I looked around, I didn’t see fear, worry, stress but I saw hope, peace and love. I heard him say, “Religion, fall off. Rules, break off. Legalistic views, be gone.” The American church begun to experience freedom. A freedom from rules that itself created, not one’s from our Father. My passion is to see it spread.

November

Final debrief. Celebration. Party. Whatever you want to call it. November was B squad’s final month on the field. Everyone that started the Race, finished the Race (unfortunately, that doesn’t happen often). We celebrated the Lord and His faithfulness. His provision. His goodness. Folks, B squad is family. I love these people. 

December

Family. Christmas is always a treat with the Harbolds and this year didn’t disappoint (side note: ugly Christmas sweaters are the way to go). I’ve traveled to 30 different countries, spent 17 months outside of the States and now moved to a different state but family will always be a place of refuge. Even in the midst of chaos and confusion there’s a sense of peace and love that is present. These are my people and I love them. 

 

Life is funny sometimes. Good things happen. Bad things happen. We celebrate. We get frustrated. We get mad. But at the end of the day I can’t fathom a life without my Father. Through so much He continues to be the one and only constant. A year ago to this (almost) exact moment the Lord told me I’d be exactly where I am right now (as I write this blog). If I’ve learned one thing this past year it’s a deeper dependence on my Father.

 

Fundraising Update: I’m right at 50% funded for the year. I’m still in need of about $200 in monthly support, so if you’re interested feel free to email me at [email protected] or donate through my blog. Thanks for taking the time to read this.