Our team (with one of our squad leaders, Billy) at the top of the world/a mountain in Bolivia.
A large aspect of The World Race experience besides our ministry is our team. If you didn’t know, we live in close quarters with our teammates! Communal living before the race rarely crossed my mind. I lived in my 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with Jamos and it was good. Fast forward to the race and you will understand that Jamos and I now live with 3 other people. Angela, Nick, and Nicole. We spend literally 24/7 together. We eat together. We play together. We explore new countries together. We walk together. We write blogs together. We chill together. We talk together. We minister together. Even as I type this, I am 3 feet away from a teammate who is reading a book.
I never thought after I was married that I would live with other people! But, I have to say; I understand the concept of communal living! To give you an idea of what happens in our day- we have ministry and then, we have to focus on our team. Can you imagine going 11 months in CLOSE quarters and not focusing on the health of the team?
The World Race has some great ideas to keep communal living healthy. I wanted to share this because I think this is an AWESOME way to live life- since- if you think about it- even when you are not living in the same house or tent- your family/friends are still your community. And, the objective should be to keep it working well.
As World Racers, we do the following:
Team Time. Team Time is fabulous because it helps the team remember to do something as a team during the day. It may be something as simple as sharing photos of family back home to playing volleyball with the locals or hiking up a mountain. Either way, the most fun is had during this time-, which allows us to grow closer because we are all sharing an experience and having fun doing it!
Feedback. Feedback is a little more intense (well, it can be), but it is set up so that we share in love encouragement to our teammates on things we have noticed about them during that day. It also includes truth given in love (Ephesians 4:15) that may point out a growth area in someone. To some, this may sound harsh, but how great that we are actually DOING what the scripture says in Proverbs 27:17 about iron sharpening iron. These people that I am living in community with are sharpening me to be a better wife, future mom, friend, daughter, and woman of Christ. I want that! I want someone who see’s something ugly inside of me to help turn it into something beautiful that glorifies the Lord because they also see that potential within me!
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.”
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
*****Our squad is making some leadership transitions that happen around month 4- so we may get a new team as early as next week- before we head to our next country: ALBANIA! Please be in prayer for us as we are a very happy team and get along really well!
Teammate Angela and I on our hike.
