I recently experienced my fourth team change at the end of month 9. For 5 months I lived with 5 ladies 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For this reason, I have jokingly referred to them as my sister wives. I couldn’t divorce them as much as there were times I wanted to! We had our struggles but in the end we were balling like babies all piled up on a twin sized bed mourning the forced divorce that was upon us. While I am enjoying the opportunity to get to do life and ministry with a few other ladies I do want to take time to honor the onederful ones whom I cherish.
Becca
Our team leader! I didn’t envy her position, she had some strong willed women to contend with (of course myself included). I am so proud of the way she peaceably lead us. She is full of wisdom; I could always find her spending time with the Lord. It was by His guidance that she navigated the tough terrain of tempestuous Pamela. We were committed to working things out, no matter how tiresome it could be for her or I, we talked through our triggers. It was by our efforts to reconcile differences that we gained more respect for one another. She would remind me of important truths to live by and other perspectives to take into consideration. I am grateful for all of her loving encouragement, she frequently wrote me notes that would brighten my day. Her new team will be so blessed by her. I pray they will appreciate all that she does with her servant leader heart. I miss you and love you, Becca!
Nichole
We were together in month one as well, so cool to see how the Lord grew us both in the few months we were apart. He redeemed our month one experience and brought us into the simply sweet friendship we now have. We have shared so many laughs over these last several months, from making everything in the fridge meals together, an impromptu stroller race and her terrifying but hilarious refusal to get a fish pedicure. She is so funny, she makes me laugh and lightens the mood in the most stressful of circumstances. She also knows how to care for me deeply, and has wanted to be a part of whatever I am processing. She prayed for me and listened well, always knew how to just sit beside me in the messy moments. It was at training camp that God had us sharing with one another our deepest struggles. At that time, it was arranged by the organization that we ended up in the same groups, but now it’s a choice that we have both made to help each other and lift one another up. I miss you and love you, Nichole!
Alexis
Long before our month five matchup, we were making memories. We shared a tent for a night at training camp, and giggled as we snuggled up because of our frozen toes. We zip lined together in Ecuador, had a blast when we were tethered together for a tandem ride. On our journey as teammates we went on a rollercoaster together emotionally but just as with zip lining we were together in it and when the end came I wasn’t ready for the fun to stop. She inspires me to be creative, she pursues her talents and has boldly stepped into her callings. She was so free to be herself, I admire her unashamed and quirky habits. She was so amazing with the kids in our various ministries because she lit up the room with joy when she taught them games, she knew how to play well! Her enthusiasm and the way she engaged with those in the ministry was the gift she left behind in each country. I am so proud to have served alongside her. I miss and love you, Alexis!
Julia
Firecrackers are beautiful and come with a bang! She sparkles and comes alive in the darkest of times. She has a tattoo, blooms in adversity. It’s perfect for her. When I was falling down a mountain in Albania it was Julia who came behind me to tell me all the next steps to take to prevent it from happening again. This month when a boy sliced his foot open while cutting bamboo it was Julia who took all necessary steps to prevent infection and get him the medical care he needed, as well as tend to the wound afterward. She is an advocate for the weak because she has the strength of the Lord and that’s a beautiful thing! She is also incredibly gifted; her photography blesses so many on her teams. Not only has she captured our World Race journey in her epic photos but some of the most fun we have had has been on photo assignment wanderings. We have bonded as sisters not only through all the playful banter but because we overcame similar hardships in life. I’m glad to not have to say miss you because you’re still stuck with me. Love you, Julia!
Mary
My team leader in month 1, my pal for months 5 through 9 and now again my team leader and pal. She will be the one person I have spent the most time with on this mission, at the end of month 11 we will have been together for 8 months of our World Race journey. I also know the end of this mission won’t be the end of the friendship. I love her like the sister we both never had. When we’ve fallen behind the rest of the group it’s usually because we’ve found a stray dog or cat (cow) to pet, or we just get lost in the wonder of the culture around us and stop to take pictures. I’ve gotten so used to her sleep talking I usually don’t even hear it anymore, she has listened to me repeat myself many times and doesn’t want to kill me. She has been my person through it all, we celebrate the strengths in each other and know how to gracefully encourage one another through the weaknesses. Usually for every tear she has shed I am not far behind, all her compassion I can identify with. She’s the most loving woman and I am always moved to care for others as she does. She is a great gift from the Lord. Love you, Mary!
May Oneders never cease!
