January is quickly coming to a close, which means a new country is just around the corner. Not only will I be traveling to a new country, but a new continent; Asia! I have never been to Asia so there is definitely some extra anticipation. Although I am thrilled for a new adventure, I am also sad. At the end of the month, our current team will be switched. Don’t get me wrong, I am so jazzed to get to know other squadmates on a deeper level, but, my heart will deeply miss these sisters I have grown so close with over the last 4 months. So, I want to dedicate this blog to them. To celebrate, encourage, and brag about their friendship, love, and faithfulness over this first chapter of the World Race.
Jillian:
Jillian is someone I didn’t really know all that well until after training camp. All I really knew about her was that she worked at Starbucks and knew how to do make up really well! Since living with Jillian, I have seen such growth. She is one of the strongest people I know. She fights for her friendships and doesn’t give up easily when times are hard. She is a natural servant. She seeks feedback because she desires growth. Jillian has an incredibly testimony of how God has pursued her over her life. Here are some of my favorite moments with Jillian: eating her delicious cooking over the last 4 months, watching the Parent Trap our first night on the race, watching her preach in a Nicaraguan church service, hearing her laugh and then say “quit it!”, watching her play with children, translating even in the moments where she was exhausted, watching her serve our ministry hosts, teaching, and just spending time with her. Jillian fights for joy. What a blessing it has been to watch her fight for this special joy these last 4 months. Continue to fight Jillian. Know your friendship is worth fighting for and you are loved!
Brenna:
I remember on my 24th birthday, Brenna sending me 24 happy birthday texts. Even though I hadn’t met her in person, she was already loving me so well. We would send snapchats singing Pitch Perfect, and I knew I wanted to be friends with her. Brenna is also natural servant. I never hear her complain, yet I know there were plenty of opportunities for her to do so. Brenna is selfless. The amount of times she has sat with me, and let me either cry or just be silent are times I will never forget. I love seeing Brenna serve in the schools. Even though she doesn’t know much Spanish, she continues to love students with everything she has. She is filled with patience and grace. My favorite memories with Brenna have been: watching Indiana Jones together, being teaching partners in Costa Rica, going to McDonalds, seeing her light up when visiting Zoe, playing soccer, cooking, and just sitting and chatting about her family. Brenna has loved me so well and I am going to miss her over these next few months. Brenn, thank you for everything. You my friend are amazing and my World Race wouldn’t be the same without your friendship!
Marisa:
Marisa leads by example. She likes to deny that she is a leader, but I see tons of qualities that say otherwise. Marisa exceeds in all areas of ministry. Whether she is with students or a 90 year old woman in her hut, Marisa’s love and compassion is seen. Something Marisa does really well is calling me higher. I remember a night in Honduras where I felt discouraged and weak. Marisa sat as I cried and just spoke truth and life over me. She is never too busy to love on others. One of my favorite memories of Marisa was in Nicaragua. She learned a lot about a disease that is caused by sugar cane (read her blog post here). She was so passionate about fighting for these people who didn’t have a voice or the ability to fight for themselves. Some of my other favorite memories have been: watching movies together, playing soccer, watching Marisa translate, watching Marisa step into leadership, swimming in the waves in Costa Rica, doing Marisa’s makeup for Holidays or dances, and seeing Marisa light up all throughout Central America. Marisa, continue to fight for people. Marisa, the amount of compassion and love you have for others is inspiring! Rely on God to refill your strength when you are feeling weak. He sees you and loves the way you care for his children.
Sarah:
Sarah is bold, brave, and a fighter. There are plenty of moments when she could have given up, but she continued to fight for our team and my friendship. She is always willing to try things. Whether it is food, community, or Zumba, she gives it a go. I love the way that Sarah speaks the hard truth when no one in the room will. She is someone you can trust for honest feedback. Not just because of her boldness, but because she sees you and wants you to be who God himself created you to be. She is a learner. She has picked up so much Spanish in these last 4 months! Sarah is a good friend, even when you get in a fight with her. She is forgiving. My favorite moments with Sarah: sharing a tent in Costa Rica, having hard conversations that resulted in us growing closer, doing devotion time together, going to the market to buy blankets, doing journey markers at Eden and encouraging each other’s strengths in ministry, and watching Sarah preach to police officers. My sweet Sarah, know how worthy you are of being loved. Don’t stop seeking people out. Allow people to fight for you. Lastly, know how grateful I am for your boldness and truth.
Christen:
My first impression of Christen was in the Atlanta airport. She was sarcastic and sassy, and that was when I knew we would be best friends. Christen leads by example. She is a safe place for not just our team, but for others on our squad, strangers, students, and her family. I love watching Christen serve. She always puts others before her. She is selfless and full of joy. She is someone who allows me to be me. She wants others to be seen, known, and loved. My favorite memories of Christen: getting to know her at training camp, sneaking off to eat chips behind our tents, surprising her with apple pies from McDonalds, watching her sing and dance in our classroom, going on quesadilla dates in Nicaragua, walking through the market, watching her seek out children, seeing her give her time and energy effortlessly, taking our classic ‘Christen and Caitlyn’ pictures in every country, snuggling in bed and talking about boys, and so many more. Christen, you are my best friend. Thank you for loving me so well. Remember that others delight in serving you. You are never unworthy of love. You are amazing and made exactly how God intended for you to be made. I love you lots!
I am so proud and blessed by each one of these ladies. Continue to pray for them as they impact their new teams and the remaining countries we go to. My World Race journey would not be the same without them. They are bold, courageous, amazing women, and doing life with them over these last 4 months has been an honor!
