What is an MA?

Global Expeditions uses a lot of abbreviations. So you all are probably wondering what all these letters are that I keep talking about. Like MA, TL, MAG, MIG, ect. An MA is a "Mission Advisor". GE leadership is kinda like a ladder. There are different levels of leadership. The highest level is the Project Director (PD). They over see the entire project and make sure everything is going well, and specifically they give the Team Leaders instruction on how to direct their teams. The next level down is the Team Leaders (TL). Each team has two TLs. One male and one female. They look out and guide the entire team. There are usually a few teams on each project. Our project had 3 teams. Then the next level is the Mission Advisors (MA). That was me. I was under the leadership of my Team Leaders, but I was in charge of a small group of girls called my MAG, a small ministry group called my MIG, and a small travel group called my TAG.

As the leader of my MAG, I was in charge of everything that had to do with the girls in my group. I was to look out for their physical, spiritual and emotional well being. When they got sick, I got up with them. When they had a question, I helped them find the answer, when they needed to cry, I was the shoulder to cry on, when they needed a friend, I was the friend. It was a great role. The training I had the few days before everyone else arrived was amazing in helping me prepare for this. This was a huge responsibility I had, but it was awesome because I got to watch these girls grow throughout the trip. I believe that part of my ministry on this trip to Uganda was to these girls. It was not only to the Ugandans, but it was to the members of my MAG. There were 4 girls in my MAG. Lexi from Washington, Anna from Wyoming, Claudia from Panama, and Amie from Florida. (Picture on Left, from LtoR Me, Amie, Claudia, Lexi and Anna).

Another part of my role as an MA was to lead a MIG. All the roles were exciting to me, but this one was especially exciting to me. I got to lead the direction that our group went when we were on a ministry site. If we were in a class doing the whole purity program by ourselves, I had to get that started. That was exciting, but also a little scary. There were some points when I had no clue what to do, but God totally took over. And that was so exciting to see happen. It was awesome to see God work through me when I had no idea what to say. My MIG had 4 other members. We all clicked very well and it was so awesome to get to watch the people in my MIG minister. When we'd be in a class sharing the True Love Waits program each person had such a unique role in it that it was awesome to see it unfold each day. Each ministry site went different. No two sites were alike. And it was great to see my MIG work together and share the Lord with people and watch people come to know the Lord because of the people in my group. As the leader of that group it was awesome to be able to see the progression of my group and how we all grew over the month we were in Uganda. The picture on the right is of my MIG. (LtoR) Lexi, Me, Mary, Anna and Tyler is sitting down.

The final role I had as an MA was to serve as a TAG leader. I lead a group of 4 other people when we traveled. I was in charge of not losing anyone in my group in the airport, during long lay overs, making sure no one lost their passports, helping everyone check their bags and get through security. I didn't spend too much time with my TAG, because we were only with them when we traveled internationally, but it was a great way to get to know people from the other teams. I had people in my group from both other teams. One of them had even been the same trip last year as someone else I knew. It's a small world. I didn't even lose anyone and no one lost their passports! The picture on the left is of my TAG in Dubai airport. (LtoR) Jennifer, Grace, David, Lexi and Me.

Being an MA was a great opportunity for me. And I was so happy I was able to do that.

I know so many people were praying for me and I know that it was only God that equipped me for this role. God used me to minister in my various roles and it was such a blessing to be able to watch the people in my groups grow closer to God.