Today I thought about all the things my team and I have gone thru this year and there’s a lot of experiences. It only seems like yesterday we were at training camp and I was smiling all the time and completely excited to go on this trip. “It’s going to be so much fun,” I thought. Well it was, but man was it hard.
I remember the state of my heart coming into training camp. I resolved that I would pour myself out this year. I’d always looked to the future and said I’d follow God with all my heart down the road. I was in school – it was time for fun! I told myself. Well now would be the start of a yes in my heart.
I remember when we first got to our ministry site in Thailand and saw that we were living in a building all by ourselves right down the street from the church. I volunteered to preach that Sunday. I wore a tie – the only time I’ve done that (who ever said a tie’s required?) – and preached the worst message of all time. I watched as the church dozed off, the pastor throwing in an encouraging nod every now and again. My translator told me to stop preaching, that I was done and had spoken long enough. By this time my armpits were leaking sweat all down my sides… she was putting me out of my misery.
I remember visiting my sister at the end of the first or second month of ministry. Talia was on the World Race and in her tenth month. She had horrific manners. I sat across from her as she ate and I couldn’t believe it. “Come back and judge me in ten months,” she said. “You’ll understand.” Well it’s ten months later, sis, and my dining etiquette is horrendous. When Mom came over for a debrief a couple of months ago I had to be extremely conscious of it all. She took me out to a wonderful steak dinner. It’s one of the highlights of my life.
I remember when I met Gary Black. I was nervous. We all were. We’d heard what a bold and confrontational man he was. He’d rebuke us all for not speaking in tongues and tell us all our problems that the Lord was sure to show him – that prophet. A month into our time in Swaziland he’s my spiritual father and the coach of our squad. I’m moving out to Colorado to be with him and his family soon after the race.
I remember when Traci brought Moses into our team weighing four pounds. The unity he brought us is amazing. The laughter, the motivation, the unified prayer and drive. I remember when Molly came into the room at 5:00 am saying that he had died in the hospital, the way our team came together and took care of the funeral arrangements. I remember carrying a mother to her son’s burial and the intense grief I felt for her, then not being able to carry her anymore and a go-go lifting her onto her back. I am still motivated to do push-ups by that day – just to be prepared.
I have so many incredible memories of this year. It’s so hard to believe that there’s only a week left. Team ignite will take 4 days, starting the 14th, before debrief to reminisce and invest into each other. Please pray that we come out the other side with no regrets.
