What in the World is Reece Doing? - Going Back Overseas

Dear Friend,

My stateside season has come to an end. It almost seemed to fly by with all that I was able to do. This time being back in the states was different; this time I was a fully launched expedition leader looking for individuals that would answer the call to come to the nations with me. Not only that, but I was also involved in other opportunities like leading a late season expedition in the middle east, moving to Pittsburgh with some other Expedition leaders, and getting my CDL class A (to drive our expedition trucks). This was an amazing stateside recruiting season that was both full and productive. So, before I share with you all the amazing opportunities that will be coming up overseas, I want to recap some of the highlights of the things that happened since returning from overseas last year.

Middle East -

Almost immediately after coming home from Africa I was packed up and heading back out to the middle east. Two of my friends and I were asked to lead an Expedition to the Middle East in the month of October. Our time and ministry there was amazing. When we first arrived, we connected with our full-time sector team who live and minister there; many have become close friends since I joined Overland and it was good to reconnect. After a few days, the expedition team we would be leading arrived in country and were eager to jump into ministry. If I want to say anything about our time in the Middle East it is not that the food was good or that the culture was warm and colorful. No, I would want to say that the Gospel of Jesus is for the lost, and whether the lost are in a closed muslim nation or a remote African village, the Gospel is for them. So while the sights were stunning and the food was delicious, the most vibrant moments of our time were found in ministry. From worshipping with local believers to chatting with university students to having Mashawi (barbecue) with Turkmen to encountering people on the street, we boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ and his good news. Many great testimonies came out of this expedition because God is faithful to pursue the lost.

Pittsburgh -

This year our team launched a new strategy that put teams of expedition leaders in key locations across the United States to concentrate our recruitment and ministry efforts. We planted our teams in locations that had been determined to be rich with both new outreach opportunities and well founded relationships with churches and believers. I, along with a few others, moved to northern Pittsburgh. It was so great being able to connect with churches and to be a part of what is happening in Pittsburgh/West PA. Many of the churches in the area either support Overland missionaries or have had members of their congregations go on expeditions. We saw how these churches have been raising their expectations to see God move in their congregations and communities because they had heard or seen how God is moving in the nations. I would say that more than just a place to rest our heads in America, our time in Pittsburgh was an incredible time to join together with the body of Christ and believe for the harvest that is in PA as well the harvest in the nations.

CDL -

There is not much to say here, but I am now a class A CDL driver! I was asked by my leaders to get my CDL so that I will be able to drive our expedition trucks in Zambia. It was no easy process. By the grace of God I was able to complete 160 hours of CDL training and pass my tests (in a ten-speed, 13 liter International semi truck with 48ft van trailer - for the curious minds). While this undertaking meant less time with friends and family before flying out, the utility of this accomplishment will be greatly valuable to the team and the ministry. Please pray for my instructors who taught me everything I needed to know about commercial driving. They had told me several times that it was encouraging to hear about what God is doing through my life, and God is really pressing it upon me to keep them in prayer. Pray that they grow closer to God and that He makes himself real to them. Thank you.

What Next?

Well, I am currently in Benin. A West African country that we are reconning for the next few weeks. Me and my team are here on the invitation of a local king, HRM Oba Adetutu. We are scouting the area to see what it would look like to have ministry in Benin. We are currently in Savé, the city of the royal palace. I am eager to share more, but this update is long, so you will have to stay tuned. But to give you a sneak peak… This year I will be in Benin, Zambia, Tanzania, and maybe a few more.

(This means that I am currently overseas and not available by phone, but I would love to still hear from you. I can be reached at my normal number through an app called Whatsapp or through email and social media messages.)