So we had two days to hang out in Costa Rica as a whole squad before our flight to NY, and then to Romania. It is that time in the race where change comes into play. Team changes are almost a certainty after month three. This is due to the fact that the three squad leaders (people who have done the race before and have chose to lead us our first four months) are preparing to leave so they raise three people up from our squad to take their place. So we left Nicaragua and came to Costa Rica expecting this to be the case. Change is never easy but it pushes us forward.
Before I tell you about what the changes looked like for me I just want to take the time to express how blessed I have been to be on Team Mashach for the last three months. We were truly a special team; I continually said the favor of the Lord followed our team. We loved each other easily, we chose vulnerability, we had fun, we faced conflict head on, we were the “music team”, we all came in wanting to see growth in our lives and we did. I wouldn’t trade the last three months for anything! We are family, that team will always have a special place in my heart! Thanks Team Mashach for calling me into greatness, making me laugh continually, and always seeing the bigger picture of what God had for us.
So fast-forward, our whole squad was called together and each handed our own individual envelope with the names of new team members inside. Everyone had an hour in which they were encouraged to find their own space and find peace from the Father before opening theirs. I sat nervously with my envelope in my room, yet in my heart trusting that whatever it read it would be God’s best. The picture the Lord gave me was of this rope that was almost completely pulled apart but there was still a few strands left keeping it held together. The Lord said you best cut those, because I need you to trust me fully. Man it was so hard, because I loved my team so much but God’s way is the best way. So after about 15- 20 minutes I pulled out the card and said Lord I know this is your best and read it. As I read I saw that I was still with three of my original teammates, and still had the same team leader. For me it was a sigh of relief, I felt so blessed. There were also three new names on the card; all of them were coming over without any of their original teammates. I respect them so much for that; I know if that was me I would have been more than a little shaken up.
Anyways we have been together three weeks now and I am so excited for potentially the next seven months together. We decided to call ourselves RELENTLESS WARRIOR. (Yes singular warrior, because we are united as one) We aren’t willing to back down, or give up. We have a battle to fight and the Lord continually goes before us. God has huge plans for this team and I can’t wait to see it all unfold. I know that God is going to use us in each other’s lives to take us to the next level of growth He has for us. He is a strategic God and He sees the big picture of why we all need to be together in this season. So let me introduce you to my new team.
Back: (left to right) Christina Norr, ME
Front: (left to right) Chad, Joshua (original teammate), Marcie (original teammate), Erin, Kayla (original teammate/original team leader)
WE ARE RELENTLESS WARRIOR!
