Fusion – The merging of different elements into a union.
There has always been a degree of ‘Fusion’ in the World Race. Bringing together people from different backgrounds, paths, congregations and experiences…to form one unit. One family. One body of Christ. In fact the original WR squad 8 years ago consisted of almost as many South Africans as Americans.
These past two weeks I have been a part of training and launching the first WR Fusion squad. Honestly, at times the two weeks have felt more like two months!
Twenty-three incredibly courageous souls boarded planes from around the USA, England and Korea, converging in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They didn’t have the advantage of meeting each other before hand, or doing a training camp 6 weeks before leaving for the mission field. They choose to follow the call and are learning in the best place possible…the field. Not the most comfortable or easiest place, but we are molded best where the fire is hottest.
With training camp and launch all rolled into a crazy two weeks we have been fluid and flexible. Schedules have been scribbled through and adjusted so many times. When we feel the Spirit leading a certain way we follow, no matter what the color coded sheet of paper in front of us says.
The squad has had incredible teachings, time to begin the process of walking through past wounds and brokenness, powerful worship sessions and time to bond as a family.
I wasn’t sure what it would be like stepping right back out on the field after only a month at home, what it would be like to help lead a new squad. Although I miss my friends and family, I have found that once again following the Lord’s path has brought me to a an indescribable place…a place where my heart is split all over the world, but ultimately rests in Him.
This Fusion squad has inspired me. They are brave. They thirst for more. They love each other so well and they love the people around them. Things won’t always be smooth Squad Leading these next 5 months, but I know this Fusion journey is a blessing.
So once again I find myself on the complete other side of the globe from ‘home’. Where the street markets come alive at night, the Pad Thai is cheap, the sunrises are a little more colorful and the smiles a little wider. A 30 pound backpack is once again my ‘house’ and a $3 dinner is out of budget.
Perhaps this Fusion squad is going to blossom much like travel develops a person. A blend of cultures that puts us out of our comfort zones and heightens our awareness.
It’s not necessarily our intelligence that grows as we travel, but instead the awareness of all the lessons to be learned from our surroundings.
It’s not necessarily our vision that improves, but instead an appreciation for the colors we never took the time to notice before.
This first WR Fusion squad will not always be pretty. We will make our mistakes, have our struggles and stumble along the way. But together this multi-national squad will learn what it means to be the body of Christ.
I pray that as WR Fusion gains an understanding of God’s love for ALL nations, the countries we visit along the way will follow.
