Menuchah. Hebrew. Noun. Resting Place.
After leaving Ukraine, we did not immediately move on to ministry in Moldova. Instead, we were treated to five days of rest and relaxation in the form of our two-month debrief. For debrief, our entire squad gather at a Moldovan children's camp. We were joined by our squad leaders, who have been on the Race with us since day one, as well as our squad coaches, who flew in from Chicago.
(with Deon and Rynette and my squad mate Julia)
Showing up for debrief, I didn't have many expectations. I honestly had no idea what debrief really was, aside from it being a break from ministry. I didn't know what our week invloved. I did have some expectations about lodging, however. I have read enough blogs from people at debrief to know that the locations are generally quite nice. Stepping into our dorms for the week made me a bit nervous; we were sharing rooms with squeaky old bunk beds. Then, I went to take a shower.
Squatty potties.
Everyone on the World Race dreads the day they are forced to use squatties, and we had only encountered them a couple of times. These squatties had one of the worst smells imaginable, and it only got worse as the week went on.
Not only that, but our showers were ghetto. There were three small circular tubs, side by side, with hand-held shower heads. The only temperature option? Cold. No shower curtains, no changing rooms. Needless to say, that was my first [and only] shower for the week.
At that point, it would have been very easy to be frustrated with our circumstances, but God is good and knows exactly what we need! Immediately after showing us some of the worst of our lodgings He revealed to me our best, and what He wanted me to focus on: rest and relaxation.
My team was the first to arrive at debrief, along with our squad leader Peter and our squad coaches Deon and Rynette. For about an hour and a half, we were alone, just the ten of us. We got to enjoy dinner together and then lay in our hammocks and fellowship. And that was how I spent my week!
Sure, we had our two-hour team debrief with our leaders and coaches. We also had a great afternoon meeting just with the women of the squad. And our evenings were incredible times of worship and prayer.
(Bonfire and worship night)
But the best moments of debrief, for me, were laying in my hammock praying, journaling and reading my Bible.
My most prized times were laying on a blanket in the sun, catching up with my friends on other teams.
They were going on walks, sharing pieces of my story with women I honestly barely know, but already deeply loved.
They were laying in oversized hammocks, falling even more in love with some of my best friends out here.
They were playing guitar and sharing my heart with new and old friends alike.
They were laughing while making up ridiculous songs that made no sense.
(From our girls afternoon)
Debrief was a week to just be.
It was a week to process this crazy adventure.
While my expectations were not high for the week at first glance, they were more than surpassed by the time our bus pulled away. I never enjoyed the rank squatty potties, but I came to love and appreciate just about everything else about that camp. I am so thankful that God pulled me a bit further out of my comfort zome, away from distractions like wifi, to enjoy more of His presence in a special way.
He truly spoils us!
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Thanks to the generous support of so many of you, I am only $3,426.10 away from being fully funded! I must have that remaining money in my support account by January 1st, 2013. Please, prayerfully consider supporting me financially!
