At debrief in Nepal last month, our three new squad leaders were raised up to replace Andrew and Alys, who are leaving at the end of this month. New team leaders were chosen and teams were changed. I was on Team Braveheart for the first two months of the Race, then switched to Team An Geadh-Glas (Spirit Chasers) when one of our squadmates went home. Honestly, I felt cheated because I didn’t have the same bonding and depth with my team that the other teams who were together the full first four months had. Going into debrief, I was ready for a team change that would stick for longer than two months. I was ready to reach all new levels of vulnerability and growth with a new team.
When I got my new team assignment, I felt so intimidated to be grouped with such strong, bold people. The truth is, I felt really weak in my faith, and after last month in Nepal, I was feeling really apathetic. I was sick and tired of the Race, missing home, and tired of living in the Race community. I had learned that the Race is not perfect, nor are the people. Offenses happen and people can get wounded. As a result of some of my Nepal experiences, I was scared to be placed with people who I knew would challenge me and force me to grow. I was nervous about being on a team with people who are so outspoken. I was afraid of being vulnerable with them. And as the saying goes, “a team is only as strong as the weakest link,” and I felt like the weakest link.
For our first team bonding experience, we went to a tattoo and piercing shop. We had been trying to think of names all afternoon and hadn’t come up with anything. One of my teammates got a tattoo and several got piercings. One of them joked about naming our team “Pierced For Our Transgressions” because of our first memory together. So it stuck. We talked a lot at debrief about how we are new creations and reconciled in Christ, so our team name is also a reminder of what Jesus did for us.
Team PFOT (Pierced For Our Transgressions), completely shattered all my fears and worries. Right from the start, they were so encouraging and accepting. They knew that I was sad to be separated from Corinne, the only person I had been with for the full first four months of the Race. They gave me freedom to grieve and made me feel so loved and included. They’ve pushed me this month, prayed for me, challenged me to share my thoughts and opinions, and shown me the true meaning of a selfless and giving heart. I’ve learned so much from them already, and it’s only our first month together! I’m excited to live life and continue to grow with them these next few months!
*Also, we’ve had a slight route change. We will not be going to Turkey, but going to Moldova instead. So as of right now, the rest of my Race is Cambodia, Vietnam, Ireland, Romania, Moldova, and Albania.
