When I applied for the World Race I didn’t realize living in Christian community would be such a great part of this journey. I mean, it’s like a huge part of this race…and it’s something that I have never had before.
When I applied for the race I thought the premise was traveling the world, serving others, loving like Jesus, and sharing God’s love. Yes…it is that…but it is so much more! I’ve mentioned in blogs, instagrams, and on facebook about my “team”…some people know about the team aspect but most people don’t, so here’s the breakdown.
I have a beautiful squad. 3rd Generation A squad. There are 45 of us including our wonderful squad leaders (who are departing the end of May because they’re only on the field with us for the first 5 months…3 more were raised up just recently from within my squad). Within this squad of 45, we have 6 teams. The squad travels together from country to country but our teams split off to serve with ministries all over whatever country we are in.
Our teams are our families…and we spend 24/7 living together in community. When I say we’re together 24/7…I mean it. We live together, we sleep in the same rooms, we serve together, we eat together, and we do everything together. The first month, this was actually really hard for me. I may be an extrovert but I love my alone time, independence, and freedom to do whatever I want….and it is honestly really difficult not having that this year.
To maintain healthy community, we engage in “feedback” and team time every day. Feedback was once an annoyance but it’s actually a really great tool to help us maintain healthy relationships within our teams. Every night within our team, we give either growing feedback or affirming feedback, but the catch is that you share whatever it is with your team mate from a place of love. When someone gives you growing or affirming feedback the only response one can give is “Thank You” and then it’s their responsibility to take it to the Lord and see what they can get from it. Sounds pretty great, huh? The first month it was definitely awkward…but it has taught us to have conversations with people and not keep things in.
This past month in Costa Rica, one of the greatest things about serving in Jaco with Horizon Church was the amazing community they have within their church. The people are so inviting, so welcoming, so encouraging, and are involved in each other’s lives and ministries! They not only go to church together, they support each other and live life the way it should be. An example of this is a Friday morning prayer meeting we had the pleasure of being a part of. It is hosted at the wonderful David and Eva Daniel’s house and they lift up in prayer things within ministry, things in life, and they spend time together in prayer. Being in this kind of community was refreshing. Not only was it refreshing to actually go deep with the missionaries because we spoke the same language, it was refreshing to see their interactions and how they live life.
Although their community is amazing, I also realized it was not always there. It was something they created and worked hard for. It was created with a special touch from God.
I was encouraged in this because I don’t have strong Christian community at home. I’ve been encouraged to go find it…but more than anything this month taught me that I have the opportunity to create it.
“A” Squad!!
My family the past 4 months- Team Awakening
