As many of you have probably gathered by now, S squad underwent a complete overhaul at debrief to mix things up and help us keep growing. So, that means my beloved team Themelios is no more, and instead I am on a new team with five other fierce women of God. We are team Bamboo. This also means that I am no longer a team leader and instead, I get to rest a little more and empower my new team leader. So, here’s my final goodbye to Themelios, my introduction to Bamboo, and an explanation of other changes that will affect the rest of our race. So, here are some important things to note, my amazing partners on this crazy journey.
Peace out, Themelios!
I loved getting to do life, ministry, and the first four months of this race with each beautiful lady of Themelios. It has been an honor to serve each of you, and to serve alongside each of you. Thanks for sticking with me, being a direct reflection of the grace of Jesus, embracing my quips, and loving me wrecklessly. I am so thankful for all of the lessons I have learned with you all in our time as a team. You each will forever hold a special place in my heart. I cannot wait to continuously catch up on all of the ways the Lord continues to move in each of you. (Except Sara, I still get to do daily life with her on team Bamboo!)
This was our final goodbye at our last ministry together as a team.
The Fabulous Creatures of Team Bamboo
Leadership prayed fervently about who to put on teams together, and the Lord formed so many new powerhouse groups. Team Bamboo is composed of six powerhouse women. Women who are fearlessly seeking the Lord. Women who crave community. Women who refuse to stay stagnant. Women I have grown to know and love, and who I absolutely cannot wait to continue learning from. These were each women whom I had connected with prior to team changes, many of whom I remember back at training camp wanting to be on a team at some point in the race. Thanks, Jesus! It has been amazing to see God’s faithfulness shine through in creating this new team full of mighty women who are safe people, who challenge each other well, and who love fiercely.
Meet Team Bamboo: (Left to right) Caitlin, Me, Sara, Klancy, Allie, McKenzie
One of the first things we did as a team was go to jail in Thailand. ??
Anyhoo, why Bamboo, you ask? Oh, perfect question. Let me just tell you. Bamboo perfectly describes this team, as it is a symbol of flexibility, renewal, regeneration, freedom, and rapid growth.
The Sojourners
Every World Race squad launches with a some alumni racers as part of their leadership team. They travel for the first five months with the squad to help set us up well and get us acclimated to life on the race. S squad has been incredibly blessed to have three spectacular women (team ATL: Amanda, Tammy, Lo) in the role of Squad Leaders for our first five months. But now, leadership has raised up new squad leaders from within the squad to serve in this role for the rest of the race. The raised up squad leaders, or team Sojourners, are Jacob Miller, Michelle Cup, and Krystal and Eric Frias. I cannot wait to see how the Lord works through them to move this squad. Will you join me in prayer for them this month as they train to step into this responsibility?
Growing up, I never dealt well with change, but now the Lord is changing my life in so many amazing ways that I can’t help but learn to love it. These latest changes are yet another example of the faithfulness and redemption the Lord offers, and I am so pumped to see how the Lord will grow and challenge each squad mate, teammate, and myself through it all.
*Fundraising update: I am still $1,501 away from being fully funded! Our food budget for this month in Thailand is just $5 per day. Will you help feed me for a day and donate $5 using the donate link above?
