So… a slight change in plans occurred at the end of our stay in Central America. I love Team ZOI with all of my heart, but God had other plans for us for this leg of the Race. During our Month 3 Debrief on the beaches of Poneloya, Nicaragua, we found out we were splitting up. It was definitely sad to say goodbye to the family I'd laughed and cried and experienced life with over the last three months.
When my new team was revealed to me, we all stood in a circle, looking at one another in disbelief. Wait–where are the guys? We're an ALL GIRL TEAM?
Oh yes. Once I got over the shock of our new, slightly more estrogen-filled reality, I realized, heck, this is going to be awesome. If there's anyone in this world who knows how to be around girls, it's me. I grew up in a predominantly female household, have a 9 to 2 ratio of girl to boy cousins, went to an all girls middle school & highschool, chose a predominantly female major in college, was in a sorority, lived in a house with 10 girls, went to graduate school with only girls…. I think I can handle this.
Besides the fact that God blessed our new team with some of the most amazing girls on B Squad, I am so excited for all that God is going to do through this powerful group of women. We are going to take Asia by storm!
I want to introduce you to my awesome new teammates…
Meet Team Wellspring!
Wellspring Women, doing as the Asians do
Our beautiful, fearless leader:
Ash Garcia
Ash hails from Redlands, California, where she worked at a camp and conference center. She studied biblical counseling at Azusa-Pacific Univeristy. She is a fantastic photographer. Ash is a Saggitarius and loves to sing in the shower. Ash is STILL single.
Sweet & Southern
Shanna Landers
Shanna comes from Rome, Georgia, right down the road from where I grew up! She is one of the most kind, caring people I have ever met. Shanna is a lefty and is a master at frisbee golf. Shanna spent her summer teaching English in Costa Rica, and is fabulosa at speaking Spanish! Shanna has the tendency to leave a trail of her personal belongings everywhere she goes.
Big-hearted
Tressa Clay
Tressa comes from Springfield, Missouri, where she is a famous tennis/drum player by day and champion clogger by night. Tressa has a heart for working with people who are mentally handicapped. She can clog, sing, juggle, and say the alphabet all at the same time!
Spirited & Fashionable
Becca Bradford
Becca comes from sunny Florida, but most recently lived and worked as a haidress in the City of Angels. Becca is constanly joyful and excited, and her positive attitude spreads to everyone she meets. She has never met a stranger, and she isn't afraid to try anything! Becca loves bright colors and coconut ice cream with fried bananas 🙂
My Missionary Barbie Twin,
Nikki Sienkiewicz
Nikki is from Michigan, but she studied right down the road from Chattanooga at Lee University. She worked as an accountant and is our trusty-rusty finance keeper for Wellspring. Nikki loves to play computer games and read fantasy novels.
And ME!
Well, you know me!
Team Wellspring was named for the passage in John 4 when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well. He said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The desire of Wellspring is to bring refreshment, bring news of the spring of eternal life that Jesus offers to all those we meet in the coming months.
This month, we began our 4-month journey in ASIA! We are living in the Province of Phetchabun (PECH-a-boon), Thailand, and working with the English department. We are loving on the students and helping them learn and speak English.
Please pray that the hearts of the students would be open to hear and receive the love of Christ.
Please pray that the Wellspring women would bond together, become unified in Christ, and be a powerful force for God's Kingdom.
Thank you for your prayers. More news of all God is doing in Thailand to come!
