Here on The World Race, change is one of the only things that is definite. With that said, the time has come for team changes. I’ve had the great honor of serving with 6 other amazing Christ followers for the past 4 months and I want to take the time to say thank you to each one of them. They have become more than just my assigned teammates, they are my best friends, my support system, and my family. I have experienced some of my happiest times and also some really tough moments. We have shared many laughs and many tears. They have pushed me to grow more in 4 months, than I ever thought possible. They have supported me with their hugs, their words of encouragement, their smiles, their wisdom and simply their presence. I wouldn’t have chosen this bunch of crazies to start this journey with, but I’m glad God knew better than me. They are exactly who I needed and who I was supposed to be with. I love you Crisco Unico…and I like you too!
I’ve felt like its gradation day all week so I thought I’d write your yearbook posts here….
Jonny
“Have a kickin’ summer”
I consider myself so blessed to have had you as my team leader during this season. You have shown me what true Biblical leadership looks like and what it means to me a servant leader. You have always respected and honored our team and I’ve always felt like you were in my corner. You have empowered me to step out in my giftings and have supported each of us on our journey. Your dry humor has me in tears laughing at times and your moments of great insight leave me thinking for days. I am so proud of the man you are becoming and I’m excited to see you excel in the next phase of your journey. I will miss your random movie quotes and judging your burps. But, “That is it!” “That is it!”
I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
-Psalms 121:1-2
Kathryn
“Stay Classy”
How would I ever have been able to find anything in the Bible without you? Your dedication and obedience to the Lord has strengthened me in so many ways. I admire how regardless of the situation or circumstance, you find joy and your example encourages me to strive for more. I will always treasure our heartfelt conversations and our ramblings about all things theatre and life. Whenever I hear a random 90’s Christian song I will think fondly on our “jam sessions.” I want you to know how much I’ve learned from you and how much I value your opinions and thoughts. You are a true example of a woman after God’s heart and I am honored to have been able to serve alongside you.
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.”
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
Matty
“Keep it real”
Your love for the people we serve is infectious. I have enjoyed watching how you instantly respect and love each of our hosts and the people we are serving. You love with all your heart and it truly represents the love the Father has for each of us. The passion you have to read the Word and absorb what the Lord has for you is admirable and has encouraged me. I pray that the Lord will continue to reveal himself to you in new ways and I’m looking forward to see where he takes you.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
Alyssha
“Don’t ever change”
Boo! How did I live my life before this without you? You are my exact opposite and yet we gel so perfectly. You are the jelly for my peanut butter (see what I did there). I cherish every moment spent with you thus far. Our conversations have hit just about every point of the spectrum and I have left so many experiences with you with new insight and things to ponder. The way you see life and the way you choose to live it are truly inspirational. The presence of the Lord is all over you. I am anxious to see how the Lord decides to direct you in the future because with you the sky is truly the limit. It didn’t take long for us to become friends, but I’m honored to say that in that time we have also become sisters. I love you Lysh!
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
Zachary
“Let’s stay in touch”
Oh Zachary. You have been a constant strength for me these past 4 months. The joy of the Lord not only rests inside of you, but radiates onto all those around you. I don’t think I could even thank you enough for the times when you would shoot me a smile at just the right time, or come hug me when I need it the most, or when you would bring a different perspective to the table. I have loved watching you grow and mature in your relationship with the Lord. The way you are dedicated to pursuing God is inspiring to me and encourages me to dig deeper. I have appreciated your honest approach to life and am confident that your testimony will be a powerful tool to reach the nations. I love you bro!
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Philippians 1:9-11
Lainy
“Keep in Touch”
My little Canadian…eh! (improper use of “eh”?) You make my heart so happy. You have become such an important pillar in my life. Your steadfastness and goodness are truly gifts from God. You are an inspiration or me to desire more of Him. You have consistently supported, encouraged, corrected, and loved me. Your walk with the Lord is so genuine; there isn’t a different between ministry Lainy and everyday Lainy. I live in admiration of you and am blessed to have you as my new sister. Even though you never tell me when I have something on my face, I can trust you with some of my deepest thoughts and desires. Your example has pushed me to want to love people without restrictions the way you do. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you. Wanna hold hands now?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9
God
“U da Man!”
Thank you Father for letting me spend the last 4 months with some of your favorite people. You really know how to choose them. I am so grateful that you chose me to get to serve, grow, learn, and play with. I know you love me because you brought each of them into my life at just the right time. I ask that you overwhelm them with all the blessings you have. Give them strength for tough days, give them joy in times of sorrow, give them comfort when things are unstable, give them peace when they are anxious, give them dreams to do great things for you and open doors so they can act with bravery and boldness. I pray you challenge them and grown them so when the opportunity arises they are prepared for battle. God, thank you for this group of believers. I am forever grateful for their place in my life.
Jonny, Kathryn, Matt, Zach, Lainy, & Alyssha….
‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
