January is here and it’s time for a new wave of Racers to launch for their eleven months. As I have prepared to squad lead I have been thinking back to my first month of ministry and what it was like.
For those who don’t know me or how I started off my #11n11, here is brief summary…
23 years old
2 years post-grad with a BS in Sociology minor in Communication
Team leader to an all girls team of 6; ages ranging 22 – 26
In a time of deep grieving; two weeks prior to launching one of my best friends from college unexpectedly died
It was hard. Adapting to 24/7/365 community, new cultures, homesickness, and everything in between. It’s a big life change which brings forth a lot of craziness. As I’ve reflected, I have thought of a few things I think my team did well and a few things we could have done better. My “two cents worth.”
Slow Down and Remember to Breathe
Everything is going to feel like it is moving a million miles per hour. Month one goes by like a flash and you don’t want to miss it. Remember to take conscious moments daily to really see where you are and what’s going on. Don’t miss out and choose in!
See What is Around You
It is so easy to get caught up in your own status that you forget to see the people and things around you. As you slow down, watch the locals. One of the hardest things to adjust to can be how to interact with people and what’s appropriate in the society you are in. Read the Cultural Guide that is sent to you before you enter the country and do not be afraid to ask your host questions. But, once you have done that, look at how the locals interact with one another. Think:
How do they greet one another or say goodbye?
What do their physical interactions look like?
What is appropriate between males and females?
What does an exchange look like?
How do they help each other?
How do adults treat kids and vice versa?
Look at the living conditions and where people work when you are out and about.
Being aware of other people will lift your mood and you will find more purpose in that than if you focus all your free time on yourself.
Remember Where Your Teammates are
Basically, take into account when you are interacting with your team or having a hard day that your teammates are in the exact same place you are – literally. Philippians 2 says it best, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility consider others better than yourself. Look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others.” Your teammates just left home, are in a new country with other people they are only beginning to know, and trying the best they can. Care for one another. Be there. Like the verse says, look at your own interests (after all, you are important too) but look also to the interests of others.
Talk it Out
Coming from an introverted, internal processor who had a fear of being vulnerable and letting people in, I know how hard this can be. But. I can also tell you how worth it this is. My life changed on the Race by learning to be truly vulnerable. It did not happen overnight and it is something I continue to work on. My challenge to you is to start taking the scary steps early. That does not mean share everything with everyone all the time. You will learn what this means for you and how you walk in vulnerability. But, go for it a little at a time if that’s what you need! Let people in. A small reminder though, what makes it vulnerable is that it’s typically at least a little hard or scary.
Give All the Grace You Can
You are going to need to be given a lot of grace as you figure things out so remember to give even more than that. Everybody is figuring everything out. It is not going to be perfect – on your end, on your teammates’ ends, on your hosts’ ends, etc. So, give grace.
***Special Note***
Especially remember to give grace to your team leaders. Do not forget that they signed up the same way you did. They did not sign up to lead a team but accepted that which God was calling them to. Do not expect them to know everything or to do everything. If they answer, “I don’t know,” to your questions, then they probably don’t know. I can not tell you how many times my teammates heard me say those words…
Have FUN
Laugh. Joke. Tell stories. Do crazy things (but not too crazy 😉 ). Try all of the food. Go on adventures. Learn some of the language. Play games. Enjoy. Make memories.
Your time is what you make it. If you choose to sit by yourself with your earbuds in and not talk to anyone, you will miss out. Things will be uncomfortable at times but how you choose to combat the uncomfortable is up to you.
Remember WHY You are There in the First Place
Put your all into ministry. If you wake up everyday and dig holes for eight hours or have a rambunctious group of eleven year olds to teach, know there is purpose in either of those things for your host. There is good in all you are asked to do. People need Jesus and you are there to be His light. So, SHINE.
