Community
There’s something about sharing one toilet with 27 people that makes me shudder, even worse, talking to someone using the toilet while you’re in the shower. Life is full of surprises, especially when you wake up with your face dangerously close to your neighbor, as you realize that you’ve been tucked into the same one- man mosquito net.
Living together just keeps getting better and better.
I can identify all of my teammates’ personal belongings at any given time. I know favorites and who will eat what from my leftovers. I know that Telfer will spurt out a ‘yep’ when he needs a conversation filler. Meagan likes to quote a particular favorite movie- ‘Lady in the red hat, yeah!’ Tim will use duct tape to fix anything and sneezes like a troll. Youell won’t touch chocolate. Anne subconsciously blocks the sound of her alarm clock and Jenny´s not alive until she´s had her morning coffee.
We’ve only lived together for 25 days.
Day one of the World Race marked an adventure that none of us will ever forget. Learning to live alongside one another was only one of the many challenges we face as we push outside our realms of comfort. We’ve learned to fight like brothers and sisters. We’ve also learned how to forgive like brothers and sisters. Dirty, sweaty, tired- we’ve seen each other at the end of the day. I know what buttons to push and when not to push them.
We still like each other.
Taking communion together before leaving for our first ministry site was an outward demonstration of a commitment we have made together- as a family. A commitment that says we will serve Jesus, proclaim His truth, and love each other. In my team, I’ve seen giftings come forth. Warrior hearts rise up. Mexican lives change. I’ve heard diarrhea stories and demon stories. Still, nothing excites me more than knowing I’ll be serving alongside these radical warriors as we reach the nations.
