About half way through the race we experience “team changes”. This means the people that I now do everything with every single day changed from the first half of the race. At first I was very concerned what it was going to be like. As y’all already know I absolutely loved my original team so much… we had been through so much and I had grown in ways I could have never imaged. So honestly I walked into this new team very nervous.
But now after these 5 months together I absolutely know that it was God ordained! Each one of these individuals have taught me so much about what walking with God in humility really looks like. They have loved me, challenged me, and make me laugh like no other! We are quite a combination of weirdos who just want to love Jesus with every single thing we do! I wanted to introduce you people at home to the incredible people who I have been doing life with these past 5 months/ the people who have helped me become the fullness of who God created me to be, no matter how ridiculous that may be.
Audrey / Adriana / Audi / Achi
She is our team leader who I adore so incredibly much! She not only leads us with such grace and wisdom, but she is also my adventuring partner! We always end up being the people who want to climb it, touch it, explore it, or press it to its limits…. it’s been so nice to have a person willing to make my “crazy ideas” turn into a reality! She lives a life that teaches so much! She is a woman of integrity, of humility, and a passion for Christ. She is someone who I trust to tell me the full truth because she cares more about my growth than my temporary feelings! She is a person who loves deeply, who cares more about your goals and doing whatever it takes to help you get there. She also carries such a peace and fun loving spirit everywhere that she goes. I have been so blessed to follow her lead and have her stand beside me as a sister! I also love that she only lives about an hour away from me so our adventuring will be sure to continue!!!
Donovan “o más corto Don, solo mente Don”
Donovan is a man of many talents! From his abilities to hold a rooms’ attention while telling a story to relating the warning of the Old Testament prophets to our everyday lives to loving people so deeply that he speaks hard truth into their lives with such grace! I am constantly amazed at the wisdom that flows from him. Don’t get me wrong, he most definitely is a punk brother too… but I don’t think he would want it any other way! I have loved learning how to let loose, have fun, and how to be fully myself, no matter how ridiculous I may be! He lives his life as a reflection of Jesus; he loves all people and makes them feel comfortable, heard, and understood while also combatting the lies of the enemy with biblical truth.
Zack “not Isaac, Zack like Zacchaeus”
Zack is one of the most passionate men I have ever meet! His love for Jesus transcends everything else in this world! His desire to see people, hear their stories, and learn from them makes you want to take more time in your own life to do the same. Zack also has an incredible ability to disciple people, from his ability to recall the smallest of details about areas you said a few months ago that you were struggling with to his goofiness and desire to walk alongside people through all walks of life. Zack has taught me so much about the importance of patience and giving people the space to speak while you listen. He has shown me there is a power in just being there to listen to someone’s story!
Allison / Al / Crazy Cat Woman
I love this girl so much! She is absolutely crazy… crazy about life, crazy about cats, crazy about loving people, but most of all she is crazy about Jesus! Jesus saved her life 2 years ago and she hasn’t stopped doing everything possible to let everyone know that Jesus wants to do the same for them! She is a powerhouse. She is also a woman who just loves life. She is constantly laughing, many times making herself be the butt of the joke for the entertainment of others. She is so incredible wise, constantly learning new things about the Lord… and the best part is that she is always ready to help you with her new found knowledge. I have loved walking alongside this gem.
Katalina or Kata
And of course I have to talk about what I’ve learned about myself while I have been with them. First of all, there is NO doubt that I am an extrovert. 3/5th of my team are introverts and I have learned so much from them about the importance of silence- that we don’t always need to fill the space, there is such a beauty in being able to sit in the silence together. With that being said, I also adore the moments where we are all being absolutely ridiculous. From our original Samson’s Mullet music video to the endless spongebob quotes to just embracing the ridiculousness that is within us all. These people have encouraged me to never be too concerned about what others think of you. Everyone has their own opinions, why should your thoughts about what they think limit what you want to do. They have also encouraged me to continue to do the thinks I don’t think I’m good at… from trivial things like handstands to preaching messages in front of entire church services. This team has taught me a lot about the freedom we have gained from Christ and how to walk in that as Katelyn.
Featured Team Members:
Tyler
Tyler is a man of such deep love! Once you are in his crew there is no getting off of it. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, where you are, or what you need… he is the man who will be there for you! He has taught and challenged me to love people deeper, because the truth is that people are the only thing that matter. Tyler isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and fully lives his life based on his convictions. His relationship with God is one of intensity. I truly loved the 3 months I got to walk out life beside him and look forward to how our lives will reconnect in the future.
Bekah
Bekah is one of our outstanding raised up squad leaders. Since our squad is so large, it wasn’t until she was on our team for the month that I really got to know her! She is a sweet soul full of so much joy, compassion, and wisdom. Her laugh makes the entire room want to join into what she is enjoying…. and our month in Chile was full of her laughter. From our “trying to break dance/ hand stand lessons” to joking with our hosts at the dinner table. She also has an incredible ability to really see people for who they are. When Bekah stars listening to you, you feel incredibly cared for and seen. She looks past what is on the surface and really looks at the heart or people. She is also constantly looking to refine her relationship with her Heavenly Father. Being surrounded by so many Christians, you hear a lot of theories or opinions, but with Bekah you watch her practically break down those “ideas” into steps that she implements in her life! I loved the month I got to spend with this beauty!
Sam
Sam was one of our “interns”. The World Race has a exposure program where a person interested in doing the race can join a team for 1 month out on the field. Sam is a man filled with so much honesty and a burning desire to serve the world. He taught me to love the intensity that comes with the gospel and pursue holiness because it’s becoming more like our savior. He was also my mountain climbing partner / hitchhiking partner. We had so much fun just talking about life, laughing at our silliness, and enjoying Gods beautiful creation of the Andes Mountains.
Tiffany
Tiffany I love this girl!!! She was also an intern, but she was my roommate for the month. She is this perfect mix of goofy and wise! She loves people so deeply, willing to say up all hours of the night to just listen to their story. She taught me so much about really enjoying life. Laughing when no one else is laughing, or saying what your thinking even when no one else really understands. She is also so passionate about doing what the Lord has called her to, wrestling through her selfish desires and giving them up to her Heavenly Father. Her sass and love were such a refreshing part of my journey.
Ali
Ali was on my team before, but because my teammate Allison was allergic to Mojos (the remote village in the Bolivia) they asked Ali to stay with our team for the remainder of the month. It was such a blessing, it felt like I had a childhood friend come into my life again. This month with her reminded me of how incredible of a woman she is! She has such a grace and ability to immediately understand people’s hearts and where they are really at. She has such a servants heart to make this world a better place. She uses her energy to constantly improve the day to day lives of the people God has placed in her life. From helping Nellsie do her laundry to making Sandra die laughing with her pig noises. She has such a deep heart for loving God and loving people that sometimes she forgets how lovely she herself is. I love that we don’t have to be anything else with each other except sisters… you know the sister who can read you from across the room or who you end up doing really weird things with! Ali will forever be sister to me.
Kate
Kate is actually the South American regional coordinator for AIM. She is the person in charge of keeping up relationships with our host all across South America and choosing which hosts will host which squads. She joined us for ministry for our first week in Ecuador since we were working with a new host and she was in the area. From day 1 she immediately felt apart of our team! We would laugh together, learn together, and just enjoy life in this beautiful country. She is a woman of such action and deep convictions. A woman who loves people with all she has and uses her influence to point them deeper and deeper to the Father. She is full of boldness, courage, and a servants heart. She not only helped shaped the month for our team in Ecuador, but really helped me figure out how to end my race well. I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn from her.
