(A few months ago a squad mate told me about a future Racer who was freaking out about being put on an all-women team. I had such an amazing experience with Team Segullah that I needed to share this with you all. For the record….I spent the first 7 months with all women. We had a squad shuffle after month 7 and I moved to a team completely outnumbered with 3 men and only 1 other woman. So, I had both perspectives.)
So, you were placed on an all-women team? It doesn’t have to be bad, dramatic, dangerous, etc….It doesn’t have to be filled with any of the lies you have told yourself or other people have told you. I had the privilege of being on the most Legit team in WR history….And there is a cake to prove it J. For 7 months I was honored to walk alongside of Bethany Dragon, Emily Fagerstrom, Jasmin Del Rosario, Leyna Quintero, and Carmen Oswalt. These five women have become my sisters.
Bethany Jo Dragon: A hurdler. Week 1 of the Race this woman was described as a hurdler. It does NOT matter what hurdle stands in her way. She will jump over it; kick it over, or whatever it takes to GET IT OUT OF HER WAY. She will then get back up with more determination than ever and keep going. And she will crack herself up the whole way! AND she’s the Alumni Racer representing R Squad! So, follow her around the country for the next 11 weeks.
Leyna Sara Quintero: A fighter. Leyna will fight for whatever relationship she needs to. It doesn’t matter how different you are. She will fight for her relationship with her Creator. Leyna does not give up. She sought freedom from things in her past and she earned that freedom and learned to love. She was raised up to leadership month 7 and went into it with grace.
Jasmin Roxanne Del Rosario: A rock climber. She will stand at the bottom of a mountain. Knows she can climb it with HIS help and will conquer it. Nothing can stand in her way. She will proceed with caution and get it!
Emily Katherine Fagerstrom: A risk-taker. Emily will try almost anything. She does not let fear, her past, or anyone stand in her way. She took a risk applying for the World Race and she followed through. She is obedient, an amazing listener, and a faithful friend!
Carmen Ann Oswalt: A heart. If heart could be a verb….that would be Carmen. This woman’s heart is bigger than anyone elses! She loves hard, cares so much, and has an incredible passion to see children in EVERY country come off the streets.
These women are my sisters. I am a better, stronger, more faithful, more of a fighter, and a woman with A LOT more words to share because God placed these women in my life. We have literally laughed (A LOT), cried, argued, and lived life together day in and day out for the first 7 months of the Race. We fought for each other. Cried out to God on behalf of each other’s families. Was it all perfect? No, we had to fight for it. We didn’t initially “connect” our first four months in Southeast Asia. But, something beautiful happened our 3 months in Africa and we truly became sisters over lots of tea time, crazy ministry contacts, sharing rooms, scaring ourselves silly with scary stories in the middle of Rwanda, long bus rides, had “short accidents” in Rwanda, and the list goes on and on.
Believe me, I’ve heard EVERY comment, lie, and thought every thought that could about an all-women’s team. And Satan WANTS you to believe it, so that he can have control of your Race. So, stop allowing it! I’ve had both perspectives of World Race team….I was on a team with 6 women and then I found myself on a team with 3 men and only 1 other woman for the final four months of the race. I like to refer to it as my “girl race” and my “boy race”. Because they couldn’t be any more different….
Here is my response to a few lies spoken over those privileged enough to be on an all women’s team.
1. 1. Drama, Drama, Drama: This does NOT have to be true! I honestly believe that Team Segullah was one of the LEAST dramatic teams in WR history. I’m not kidding you. EVERY team has stuff to deal with. Co-ed or not. Segullah’s approach: deal with it in the moment. Don’t hold it all in and let it all out in some dramatic feedback session. That’s just ridiculous. I don’t think we ever had an issue that was not taken care of within the same day. Also, guess what??? Co-Ed teams have stuff to deal with, too! Believe me, I know. I was on both types of teams!
2. 2. You’re less safe with all women: I’m not going to completely disagree. But, I do believe God gives extra angels to teams of all women. Six American women WILL draw attention around the world. But, we never felt in any serious danger. We did have that minor issue of a stolen wallet and camera….But, that concluded with some hitting and yelling. And stolen wallets and cameras can happen to ANY team. You’re rarely without your ministry contact in certain places, anyways. Yes, I did feel safer walking down a dark street with Clint, Curt, or Ryan than one of my Segullah girls….Though, I think we’d all agree the six of us Segullah women could cause some serious damage if we had to! And God ALWAYS provided us with a brother….Segullah was only ever alone in 4 countries and we always had someone….Whether it was Vuthy in Cambodia, Pastor Innocent in Rwanda, or our own squad leader, Michael, in Kenya. Other months we were with other teams.
4. You need the balance of men and women. I understand that….But, refer back to #2. It’s amazing what God provides!
