[November 24th, 2023] Black Friday. Location: Knoxville, TN
THERE’S A BIG SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO KNOW, SO KEEP READING.
If you’re impatient, just scroll to the bold.
Mid October
My suspicions were correct.
‘Well… now what?’
I had totaled 4 years of teaching kickboxing, and in 30 days, that book would be closed. Now that I’d confirmed with my boss of the gym’s finality, well over 500 classes were now coming to an official halt. I was faced with a decision:
What’s next?
The possibilities were endless.
The problem was, this time it seemed unnerving to have the whole world at my fingertips. My quiet times became invaded by anxiety, despite my refreshing outlook on the space for new opportunities. Attempts at sitting quietly with the Lord became overwrought with wringing hands and a racing heart. Panic attack? Anxiety? Spiritual warfare? All of the above? Perhaps, but whatever it was, these two weeks had been nothing but static television infiltrating my vision for the future.
Monday, November 6th: 9pm.
I sat hunched across two dear friends in a dimly lit brewery, our young adult group’s regular hangout. In the midst of loud chatter, sports announcers narrating on the ever-present TV’s, and the chaos of trying to get 20 people to pay for their meals, I explained my dilemma.
“The gym is closing, and I don’t know what to do next,” I summarized, both guys listening intently, “but every time I try to think through it, my mind just… stops.”
“You could become a correctional officer,” one joked. “You’d be great at it.”
“If I want to consider it more seriously, I’ll call you up,” I jested.
He snickered. “But seriously, Sarah, anything you put your mind to, you could do. I have no doubts. Also, you love the Lord– I have faith that you’ll listen to Him, and He’ll guide you.”
“What previous work experience or degrees do you have?” my other friend asked, clearly thinking on my behalf. We sorted through some ideas of all sorts, from new careers to filler jobs.
(Note: get you friends that encourage you and offer practical advice. 10/10 recommend.)
“Thank you guys,” I said, grateful to have friends willing to listen. “We’ll see what happens.”
Thursday. Four days later.
7:48 a.m.: “Hey, Sarah! How’s it going?”
I looked blearily at my phone. It was an alumni squad leader from my Race in 2022. I had seen her for serve team a few months ago, but it’s always good to hear from friends.
“I have a question.”
Oh? I squinted at my phone.
“Will you pray about squad leading for me in January? It’s a four month semesters squad to South Africa and Eswatini.”
I rubbed my eyes and blinked at the screen again. “What?”
Would I go out and lead a group? For four months?
There was peace. Immediate peace– and immediate interest.
“When do I need to let you know?”
“By Monday.”
UH– BY MONDAY?
72 hours later (Monday)
What a wild weekend it was. A girls’ trip to D.C. with my mom left me little time to think about it, but peace was as present as ever. And as lovely and Holy Spirit-infused as Monday was, I’ll just get to the point:
As of Monday, November the 13th, I’ll be leaving to go back out onto the field in January to lead and disciple a squad in Africa for four months!
Pretty exciting, right?!
I know, I know, I’m pretty hyped. I mean– perfect timing, amiright? I mean, there are some crazy pieces that have just “fallen into place,” and I find myself celebrating with the Lord over these cool opportunities.
I’m sure you have questions. Let’s answer them.
This is so cool! How are you doing this?
Dope question! Back in 2022, I took a year-long trip with an organization called Adventures in Missions based in Gainsville, GA. I’ve spent all of 2023 back in Knoxville, and now they’ve reached out to me to partner with them again and lead a trip this time.
What actually ~is~ squad leading?
Fair. To summarize:
Squad leaders are responsible for, well, leading. Between two (prayerfully three) of us, we’ll be planning travel and ministry logistics, taking care of finances and the overall wellbeing of the squad, as well as developing relationships with ministries, our teams, and, obviously, the Lord. Discipleship, servitude, and humility are all necessary traits to lead, and I’m anxious to grow in them.
I’m sure there are aspects of squad leading that my squad leading friends would add or clarify, but as a newbie, that’s my understanding.
How long will you be gone?
Just four months. I’ll leave January 3rd and return to the States at the end of April.
Guess what?
Chicken butt. I couldn’t get this tab to disappear, so it’s stuck here until I become more Word Press savvy. 🐔
How much are you raising for this trip?
$6,000. Not bad for four months, right?!
Thankfully, I don’t have to have it all completely raised by the time I leave for training in January, but I’m expectant to watch the Lord work in cool ways.
Do you know anything about your new squad?
Uh… as of now, not much. 🤷🏽♀️
What I do know, though, is that there are 18 Racers going out to Africa on this trip. (EXCITING!) I’ll be co-leading with one of my former squad leaders, Khurry Bullard, and our squad’s mentor is Hannah Zimmerle, another former squad leader from my 2022 squad (N Squad). This squad is C Squad.
Our squad’s ages range from 17-26. I know two of them from way back (we were all raised in Knoxville), but other than that, I have no idea who anyone is. I’ll meet them in mid-January when they arrive for training.
I’m one of your dogsitting clients… What’s gonna happen?
You should be receiving an email from me in the coming week 😉 Don’t you worry.
You’re welcome to bombard me with any additional questions. But as you might’ve guessed, I need your help.
Simply put, I need your help to raise $6,000.
(Seriously though, I cannot do this alone. I need your contribution to help me lead and disciple these fantastic people!)
What to do next:
You might be thinking:
“I’m SOLD– I’d love to help your fundraising! How can I?!”
AHH! AMAZING! There are so many ways!
- Venmo. I’m currently waiting on AIM to provide me with a direct link like last time, so you can just donate directly to me! I’ll be sure to update this blog when that link does exist.
- PayPal, CashApp, Zelle… the means are endless. Everything is linked below.
- Cash, Check also work! You can make the check out to “Sarah Badgett” for “AIM semesters trip.”
“Is there something other than just… giving you money?”
YES, 100%. I get it– I want to earn your trust and funding.
- Hire me! I petsit all over Knoxville, and I’d LOVE to earn your money by loving on your animals. It’s holiday season– surely you’re going somewhere?
- Let’s grab coffee. You might not be familiar with any of this, and I don’t want you to be left in the dark. Let me explain my heart behind this so you can consider supporting while well-informed.
- Pay for an ad-free blog. Love what I write but can’t stand the crazy ads scattered everywhere? (Yeah, me either.) Pay for me to have an ad-free blog. It’s $4/month. Wanna get it all out of the way? It’s just $48 for a whole year. 🙂
“I don’t have money but I’d love to support you… Can I?”
UH– YES! Monetary support is just a facet of the needs I have!
- Pray for me! Squad leading won’t be an easy task– I need your prayers. Please pray for humility, patience, and the discipline to turn to the Lord for everything.
- Subscribe to the blog! Seriously, your email means the world to me. Stay updated on what life is like while I’m on the field (and with whatever else the Lord has for me).
- Stay in contact on WhatsApp! Chances are, I want to know how you’re doing, too. Find me on WhatsApp and check in on me. I guarantee it’ll be perfect timing to hear from you, too.
(Note: don’t get upset if I don’t respond right away! My priority are the people right in front of me, and we probably won’t have anything close to steady internet. I will find your message and I will love it and respond… eventually.)
That’s it for now!
Know I’m always working on a blog for you guys (currently that looks like transporting all my old blogs over here, so thank you for your patience), so be on the lookout!
Super excited to be back. Here’s to following more bread crumbs.
Links to donate:
Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/sarahbadgett (9703)
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TL2ZFZNVZTNF4
CashApp: https://cash.app/$sarahbadge11
Zelle: sarahabadgett@gmail.com
Bread Crumbs 
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