Farewell, Z Squad

Dear Z Fam,

This post is a particularly bittersweet one to write.

When we first met at Training Camp, I knew that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. From the craziness of cold bucket showers and porta-potties (seriously, how many things did we drop in there??), to the prayer sessions (cue waterfall), dance parties and jam sessions (cue Journey); all the inside jokes (cute/hot scale), sweet moments (you all rallying around me for the fitness hike), and heart-changing stories; we were one tight bunch. And we hadn’t even started yet!! The amount of trust, friendships, love, and fun that we all had together is what made us the family that we are.

The prayers, words, hugs, encouragement, and love you all showed for me are forever embroidered into the fabric of my life and I am forever grateful for each of you.

We helped hold each other together when we felt like we were falling apart, we were together during cool revelations, intimate worship sessions (Good Grace will always be our anthem), one of a kind places, insane ministry moments, and the mundane daily life. We’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and sometimes had to choose to love well. The amount of love I have for each of you is so great. I knew that saying goodbye at the end would be tough but man; we really had no clue how hard it would be! I was so devastated and grieved by leaving the work we were doing and I was so sad to be leaving the community that is Z Squad. For the first several weeks after coming home, I wasn’t sure how to process the reality in front of me without the community I had shared life with. We called, texted, and visited each other as much as we could but it was still really hard.

When we were planning dates for our Final Debrief, I was hoping and praying I would be able to go.

That first night of Debrief was so weird….first, it was weird to be in “real life” with y’all, wearing normal clothes and be talking about life and new things that were happening. And that’s when I realized I hadn’t fully gone through the grieving process yet, that in some ways, I was still waiting to get back to the life we had on the field before Covid brought us home. Final Debrief/Reunion/PSL (whatever you want to call it) was just what was needed for me to realize that we will always be Z Squad, but that chapter is closing (I’ve shed many tears over this but there is joy here too!!). Some of us are going back out with new squads, teams, and leadership (seriously, so proud of you guys!). Some of us are doing other programs, some are staying where we are, some of us are still deciding. It was on that first night of Final Debrief, during worship that I realized I was finally ready to process and fully hear what was coming next for each of us. I am so excited to see where each of you go, what you all do, how God uses you for Kingdom work wherever you are, and how y’all continue to grow in Him.

Wherever life takes us, please know, my door (wherever that might be), arms, texts, phone, and Facetime are always open. Reach out, even if it’s just to say you need prayer.

You guys are all incredible and I am so blessed to call each one of you my family. Don’t be strangers! I’m cheering you all on; always.

Love y’all a lot.

Niecey

Photo creds go to the amazing Kristen Duguay. This was our last picture all together (minus our mentor, Amy) in Ghana after our World Race prom.

Photo creds again, to Kristen! Not all of us were able to make it to Georgia for Final Debrief but it was a good way to close the chapter!

PS- I’m switching over to a new blogging platform and will be adding my current subscribers into the new blog so you guys can stay updated! Follow along, I’d love to have you! https://nieceyodom.adventurescga.org/