Got Your Back Movement

Hope transcends... / / 10.07.2011

by GroundForces

Im just going to be real with you. Life on the road isn't easy. It's tedious and repetitive. It's exhausting and uncomfortable. However, our small team of three has been able to share with many people that we all have the ability to help someone in need. We have shared with people from many demographics, creeds, ages, and walks of life. Even though all of our stories and all of our seasons in life vary, we have been able to learn from them and give them something in return.

Re-educating the educated on education. From a first world perspective, it doesn't make much sense that a child will inevitably be denied schooling if he/she does not have the means to purchase a school uniform. The main challenge is that; the simple cost of school uniform. God trusted me enough to send me to Africa in 2008 for 3 months. Back then, I was still figuring out the ins and outs of social justice even though I thought I knew so much about it. My job consisted of going from school to school all over northern Uganda and interviewing kids about their schooling. I learned so much about their lives and about myself in the process. I learned that I was selfish and ungrateful for the blessings I had in my upbringing. Let's be honest, I hated school. I hated wearing a uniform when I had to (and that even transferred into the work place). Schooling to these children brings a sense of purpose to their lives. It gives them hope. Hope that I've seen first hand. Our very own Will Hill says it like this about his most recent trip to Haiti...

"...although it’s shrouded in a darkened cloud of poverty, hope lives. Hope transcends problems and lights a pathway through the darkness. Hope silences naysayers and breaks down walls. Hope perseveres in trials and thrives in despair. This hope is the light that will drive the darkness of poverty away from Haiti forever."

I haven't yet been to Haiti but, this same image of the power of hope that Will felt in Haiti mirrors the tangible hope I felt in Africa.

If you're new or old to the Got Your Back family, with your help, contributions, sacrifices, and selflessness we are able to gift these beautiful children with a school uniform that gets them into the classroom where their lives will begin to transform and grow forever. These kids are the future generation of purpose, hope, and love. These kids will change the world. YOU will change the world. I invite you to join the movement.

Peace,

Rachel Ryan

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Hope

Check in from Atlanta, GA... / / 10.04.2011

by GroundForces

Hi friends! I am sitting in a Target parking lot in Atlanta, GA and wanted to give you some insight on how the first couple of weeks of tour went for me personally. I’m not going to lie, after we left Nashville for tour, I was thinking “oh crap, what did I get myself into?”. I am one to always stick to what I know, and never really challenge myself to new things. Public speaking is not my thing. If you were to look up the definition of a public speaker, my name would be nowhere to be found. However, I knew this was a major requirement for the internship, so I challenged myself to not think about my own insecurities, but to focus on being the voice that these children greatly deserve. The first couple of speeches were very entertaining, but I think the girls and I are starting to get the hang of things.

I honestly feel like I am actually beginning to make a small difference in the world, and the best part is, it is not for me! I love being apart of something that is for someone else. Getting to know Rachel and Brooke has been amazing. We are quickly becoming a beautiful little family of 3, and are super stoked to see what the end result of the Fall tour will be.

So far, Reggie has faithfully taken us to New Orleans, Florida, and we just got to Atlanta tonight. We have been blessed to speak at a variety of places such as churches, youth groups, high schools, etc. It has been amazing to meet people and hear their excitement about Got Your Back, and how it has impacted them. We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we continue to travel from city to city for the next 6 weeks!

Much love,

Lydia

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Introducing the 2011 Fall Ground Forces / / 10.03.2011

by GroundForces

We are excited to introduce you to Lydia & Brooke... our Fall Ground Force Crew.

Hi, my name is Lydia Woodward. I was born and raised in the lovely land of Iowa, and moved to Nashville 2 years ago. I love many things like traveling, dancing, makeup, baking, Fall, sewing...oh, and anything chocolate! I was previously a clothing boutique owner and fashion designer, but I felt God pushing me to search for something bigger. I have always had a passion to help change the world in some way, but never really knew the answer. That answer soon came when I was in Jamaica on a mission trip, and became aware of the fact that children were unable to attend school if they did not have the right school uniforms, therefore never earning an education. So, as you can imagine, I was super stoked to have come across Got Your Back, and knew I had to get involved! I am honored to be able to work along side GYB this fall, and be a voice for such deserving children.

Follow Lydia on Twitter
@lydiajwood

HEY YALL , I'm Brooke Brown. I'm from Jacksonville,FL. Some quick things about me... I love Disney and sweet tea a WHOLE LOT! I left my wonderful job at MAC Cosmetics to live in a RV for the next 7 weeks. It's my heart's desire to be a voice for these children. I'm so captured by all of the hope that GYB is giving to these beautiful children. Education really is everything. We're just starting the second tour with GYB. We will get to connect with so many awesome people. I'm ready to be challenged and inspired. Knowing that i will be forever changed by this season of my life.

Follow Brooke on Twitter
@BGoldenn

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Ground Forces