4th of July. Go ‘Merica
They say
give honor to who honor is due… and no one on the Q deserves more honor from me
than Andrew Bennett. We were transitioned into being the squad leaders back in
Cambodia nearly 8 months ago and my respect for him has only grown.
In Cambodia right after we were moved up as squad leaders
I was
reading through my journal from the beginning of the race and read where I
wrote down in Thailand that I felt like the Lord was telling me that Andrew was
going to be the other squad leader. I had no idea what a blessing it was going
to be to squad lead together. I’m also remembering when we became squad leaders
and I was so worried about keeping our relationship pure and healthy because I
have a wonderful boyfriend and we didn’t want to disrespect him in any way.
Looking back now, I can only be thankful for how pure the Lord has kept my
relationship with Andrew and how much squad leading has actually equipped me
better to be married in the future.
Christmas in Cambodia
Train in Ukraine
I
mentioned back in Cambodia in a blog that God was using so many people to
redeem many things in my life, and we can add Andrew to that list as well. God
has used him in my life in countless ways, but one major way is how to have an
honoring friendship with the opposite sex. We’ve learned how trust one another,
fight for each other, feedback each other, and love one another in a wholesome
way without all the unhealthy emotional attachments. He’s taught me how to
follow a man well and how to build men up in such a way that they feel
respected and empowered. He’s taught me how to not always take charge and
intimidate men. He’s taught me so much about the power of my words and how to
live “as Jesus walked.” He’s revealed to me more about what it looks like to be
a strong Christian man in our generation and how to develop men into that. He’s
honored my relationship with Albin to the point that Al has expressed gratitude
over how Andrew has protected our relationship and my heart. He’s encouraged
me, listened to my breakdowns, put me in my place, carried my bags, bought me a
lot of ice cream, and challenged me in ridiculous ways.
Bon Jovi concert in Romania
Not only
has he taught me, but Andrew has poured himself out to the Q. He has spent
countless hours praying and fasting for our squad. He’s spent time pouring
everything he has into people so that they can grow. He is well loved and
respected greatly by our squad. He has been positive through all the hard stuff
and has helped people progress in their walks with the Lord through genuine
heart motives and direct words. He has led this squad so well and has faithfully
carried out the work that God called him to do on the race. He has set a
spiritual standard for us and has kept that passion for the Lord throughout the
race with a smile on his face. I mean, even right now he’s sitting across from
me on the train smiling and chuckling about the Curry Blake healing podcast
he’s listening to.
In Nepal after singing a solo in the Buddhist temple and lying about being married
Yah bud,
I just want to say thank you. I might get a little emotional as I write this
because you mean a lot to me. You’ve grown in amazing ways throughout our time
leading together. I think about how we struggled to find a balance in Kenya and
then think about now and how God has taught us to be a team to serve His
people. Being on a team of two people could be awful, but this friendship has
been so redemptive and restorative for me. You’ve found a good balance of being
serious and joking around. You’ve become a good story teller. You’ve become a
man that respects and honors women. You’ve become an incredible leader that
people want to follow. You’ve brought the kingdom to earth. You’ve walked as
Jesus walked. You’ve set a standard. I don’t think words could adequately
express how much I respect you and how thankful I am to have co-led with you.
Again I am thinking of when Sarah gave us that feedback that will stick with me
for life about how the squad loves so well because you and I have loved one
another and the Q together so well, and I can only thank you for making it easy
and thank the Lord for His faithfulness. God has amazing plans for you Andrew
and I can’t wait to see how He uses you for the kingdom. You are a good man and
the Lord will continue to bless you for your faithfulness. Thank you.
We made it!!! Final Debrief in Brasov, Romania
