An open letter to P-Squad:

This is about you. This is about us. The 50-something of us that make up this squad. The ones who are living in Asia, the ones who are at home, and the ones who make residence elsewhere and pop in for visits. When I met P-Squad for the first time, I realized that I was a part of something special. We were different. That permeated who we were, and we spoke it into life. I knew something about us was different from day one, but little did I know that us being different would mean a car accident, earthquakes, and the myriad of other things that affected us in ways that I can’t begin to describe. I know that a lot of you feel exactly the same way.

 

This has been hard. Incredibly hard. I have cried more tears this last five months than I think I ever have in my entire life. I have laughed so hard that I thought I would have to change my pants. With each of you, I have experienced emotions that I never thought I would, and I lived moments that I never, ever dreamed I would. I never dreamed that I would be in the hospital with some of you, trying my best to make you comfortable, asking God to make this bad dream ago away, while begging Him to make you stop hurting. With you, I have wanted to quit and you told me that I needed to give God just one more day. With you, I told you about my pain from home, and one day at a time, you became my family. 

 

With family, I don’t doubt that I can borrow that shirt, or that I can lay in your bed. I can borrow your toothpaste because I can’t find mine today. I know that what I own isn’t something that I just have to keep for myself; it something that I am entrusted to carry around when we travel so we can all use it. Today, it occurred to me that there are people in the world, and dare I say it, squads on the world race, who don’t live like we do. People who have never had the chance to live in a community as incredible as this one have missed something that this community uniquely provides to us. I am bold enough to tell you that you are the reason I am the person I am today; each conversation, day, week and month we have had together makes me a better version of myself. 

 

You became the people that I turn to when I have a bad day. You are the ones who read me like a book, like you just know when I not okay even if I try to convince you otherwise. You make breakfast and share because its what a family does. You are the ones who hug me on the days when that is the thing that heals my heart. You are the ones who listen to my heart when I don’t make sense, and listen so you can ask questions to clarify. You are the ones who share everything you own, but more than that, you push me to Jesus. Every day, the way you live your lives pushes me to be more like Jesus than I was the day before. 

 

We talk that this squad is known for the things that have happened to us, but I have a different proposition. Our squad might be known by some as the squad who lived through the earthquake. Our squad might be known as the one who had the car accident. But I know you. You are people who are so dependent on the spirit of God that it literally drives your every movement. No decision is made without taking it to Jesus first. Every part of you permeates Jesus; every interaction makes the people around you see the very one who’s name you are trying to spread. Your passion, your joy, your intimacy with the Father, and your life tells people about Jesus before you even open your mouth. I know that the reason this squad is often brought up in conversations is not because we lived through an earthquake or a car accident but because you literally have Jesus flowing out of you in every way and that overflows onto the people that only get to experience you via internet. I count it a blessing to get to live with each of you, and get that overflow every single day.

 

P-Squad, I consider it an honor to be your friend, and a part of your squad. I consider it an honor that I will forever be a part of P-Squad. I know that the days will come one day that we are no longer together every day, but until then, I want to soak up these moments for everything that its worth. I want to soak up the Jesus that you spill over everyday in addition to seeking him for myself. I am thankful for each of you, as we head into Month 6. I am thankful for the grace to walk through this season with each of you; without you, I wouldn’t be on the race anymore, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you for everything, for every moment, for the times that you could have given up on me. 

 

 

Until He Comes,

Kristy