Today was our last day of ministry as Team Journey/Pirate. We still have one more month on the field (in Thailand!), but Geoff and Adam will join up with other men for a month of MAN-istry. Anna, Hope, Emily, Michelle and I will join up with other females on our squad for a month of working with women who have been trafficked. I am looking forward to this final month, but am also sad to close another chapter of the Race.
In honor of our last day of ministry together, and because I am now joined in community with these people for the rest of my life, I want to tell you about each one of them. And then, maybe, you can catch a glimpse of why I love them so much!
Geoff
Geoff is an awesome brother. Seriously. He is quick to protect, is gentle, patient, and makes me feel like a valued sister. He is gifted with teaching the word of God and especially gifted with presenting the gospel. He comes up with analogies and stories that make messages so clear – Geoff really has the gift of teaching. He is also an incredible artist. He won’t let us see very many of his sketches, but I have been known to peek over his shoulder and am fascinated with his designs. 🙂 Finally, Geoff is really, really good with computers and fixing electronic things. I am convinced he can solve all of our technological problems! I will miss working with him this month but am so excited to see the work that God does in his life!Bonus: Geoff is obsessed with Chipotle. I’ve never really seen someone more obsessed with a food item.
Anna
Anna is incredible. She is one of the most loving, encouraging, and forgiving
people I have ever met. When I am down, she is quick to sympathize and encourage. When I am excited, she is excited for me. Anna has demonstrated what it looks like to suffer well on this race, as she is constantly living with or living in fear of Vertigo…a disease that makes you dizzy, disoriented, and nauseous. She has fought hard to see God at the worst moments, stand on his promises, and cling to his joy. I have learned so much from Anna and am grateful to have lived in community with her.
people I have ever met. When I am down, she is quick to sympathize and encourage. When I am excited, she is excited for me. Anna has demonstrated what it looks like to suffer well on this race, as she is constantly living with or living in fear of Vertigo…a disease that makes you dizzy, disoriented, and nauseous. She has fought hard to see God at the worst moments, stand on his promises, and cling to his joy. I have learned so much from Anna and am grateful to have lived in community with her. Bonus: Anna owns a banana stand. Yep. She has gracefully remained part of the Austin-based business, Bananarchy, while she traveled around the world. So cool.
Michelle
Michelle is one of the coolest people I know. She just has this confidence that oozes off of her and confirms to the world that she can do anything. I highly respect her inner strength. I have grown because of her love for people, her wise words, and her passion for the Bible. Michelle can also make friends with anyone. We will be talking about the day’s ministry and she will already be off talking to a group of high school girls about Jesus. She has this ability to just get things done….but you hardly see or hear her. She works quietly and humbly. Michelle is passionate and I am confident that she will be used by God to move mountains of injustice in this world.
Bonus: She only keeps four shirts with her on the race. If she buys a new one, she has to give one away. Michelle is hard core.
Emily
Emily is a gift from God, specifically for me. Well, okay, she is a gift for everyone who meets her, but I especially need her on the field. When we first met, we were opposites and I had no idea how God was going to join together the
Chairman of the College Republicans with the President of Amnesty Internationaleace. She hated President Bush, I worked for his wife. She has robot earrings, I have pearls. “Lord,” I thought, “you are going to have to work a miracle.” And now Em is one of my closest sisters and I don’t want to even imagine how this year would have looked without her near me. She epitomizes the servant heart. She is quick to serve and love and encourage. She has taught me about loving family, serving others, having fun, and allowing God to change from the inside out.
Chairman of the College Republicans with the President of Amnesty Internationaleace. She hated President Bush, I worked for his wife. She has robot earrings, I have pearls. “Lord,” I thought, “you are going to have to work a miracle.” And now Em is one of my closest sisters and I don’t want to even imagine how this year would have looked without her near me. She epitomizes the servant heart. She is quick to serve and love and encourage. She has taught me about loving family, serving others, having fun, and allowing God to change from the inside out. Bonus: Emily is going to start a fire of hope in Eastern Kenya through building a school in a community that so desperately needs one. God planted this dream in her heart during month 7…go, Em!
Hope
Hope is one of a kind. Hope’s journey this year was kind of the opposite of mine: I needed to learn to lead again, and then I could follow. She needed to learn to follow, so that she could lead again. I think this has bonded us together in a deeper way than I expected. I have learned so much from her encouragement, her relentless pursuit of deep community, and her ability to see God in unconventional things. She is quirky and confident; fun loving, and real; talented and humble. She has more creativity in one finger than I could even dream to have (just look at her blogs!). I love Hope and am looking forward to one more month of her strange comments and her making me do things that I don’t want to do only to be glad that I did them. 🙂Bonus: Hope knows Donald Miller. Like knows, knows him. How cool is that?!
Adam
Adam is a rockstar. He is one of those people that I am convinced can get along with anyone. He is kind, gentle, considerate, and good natured. He is also very
clean and organized… more so than me! Adam is quick to help – he sees opportunities to assist before any one notices a need. He was also an incredible source of strength and encouragement for me when I was leader. It might be because he was also a leader at the beginning of the race, but more than that, I think he is just that kind of guy that supports and encourages. I will miss his brotherly advice this month, but am looking forward to seeing how God uses him to bring Kingdom to Thailand.
clean and organized… more so than me! Adam is quick to help – he sees opportunities to assist before any one notices a need. He was also an incredible source of strength and encouragement for me when I was leader. It might be because he was also a leader at the beginning of the race, but more than that, I think he is just that kind of guy that supports and encourages. I will miss his brotherly advice this month, but am looking forward to seeing how God uses him to bring Kingdom to Thailand. Bonus: Adam has this dream of one day being a pirate… the good kind. That’s why he is taking this opportunity to grow out his hair and beard. I don’t love it, but I can see how this is his one chance so… Go Adam! Arrggg. 😉
