Ireland: Breath of Life- Video
After 3 months of serving in Africa, our squad headed to Ireland for a week. It felt very bittersweet as our plane took off from the Nairobi Airport. As our plane lifted into the air, I looked out the window to the disappearing ground below and remembered all the challenges and celebrations of our squad during our time in Africa. I felt like a warrior who was coming out of a combat zone for the first time. I felt bruised and scarred from all the illnesses, robberies, assaults, hospital visits, team struggles, squad changes and environmental challenges that we endured during our time. I felt a spiritual heaviness lift as we exited a place that was battling witchcraft, poverty, fear, violence, desperation, and depression. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a sense of relief that came over me as we climbed in altitude towards our new destination.
When I got to Ireland I felt freedom like never before. I woke up early my first morning as the sun was rising and ran until I couldn’t run anymore. The country was one of the most gorgeous places I had ever seen, green hills, cobblestone roads, and rolling hills.- I was in love. We were in Ireland for one week to attend the Awakening Conference, which was a time for all World Racers on the field & alumni to come together to worship, learn, and to be filled up by the presence of God. I felt my spirit truly being revived as I consistently worshiped and thanked God for his continued blessings and covering over our team.
I was caught off guard one afternoon when I heard my own answer to a question that was asked by a younger world racer…. “What has been your favorite country so far?� I was surprised to hear my immediate response of “All of Africa.� “Why?� she asked. And I began to realize that some of the most life changing, mind expanding, character building, and team unifying moments happened while in Africa. I thank Him and praise Him for every moment!
Coming out of Africa the N squad was a unit- a true family from everything that we went through. We started this journey as a group of strangers that were battling to simply live in community with each other in a peaceful and respectful manner and came out of Africa as group of people who truly love one another, who would fight for each other, protect one another, and sacrifice themselves for the betterment of the other. We were really starting to understand God’s unconditional love for His people. Who was this group called N squad!? I didn’t even recognize them anymore!!….We were starting to get it! We were looking more like Jesus! We ARE kingdom! I am so proud to lead this crazy bunch!
Each year at the Awakening the hold a dance off competition between all the squads to encourage fun, unity, and of course…..healthy competition! Something as simple as a dance routine was a major example of how N squad has unified over the past year, grown together, worked hard together, and just knows how to get down and have a good time together! The very last section you will see is all of us doing the HAKA. This is a Maori tribal tradition of honoring someone as well as a spiritual representation of “breathing life� into you. I get chills every time I watch it! So, here is the video of my most favorite squad in the world, 1st place winners of the 2010 Awakening Dace Off! Enjoy!
