I love the Lords heart for the church. God desires intimacy with each of His children, but He also desires for us to be in community. He wants us to be the church, His bride.He wants us growing and encouraging one another to be and look more and more like Him. Community can be hard but so much growth comes out of those hard times, if you choose to press in and love one another through it. Community on The World Race is unlike any community I have ever encountered or been a part of. It is hard, joyful, peaceful, frustrating, fun, stretching, and inspiring all at one time. The World Race gives you an opportunity to live daily and intentionally with 6 other individuals on your teams and 47 others on your squad. This community teaches you how to love regardless of differences or annoyances. This community allows you to give one another feedback and sharpen iron with iron. We push each other to look more and more like Jesus. What an opportunity I have to allow strangers into my life, the good the bad and the ugly, to grow, strengthen, and love me.
I want to share more with y’all about my little community, my six beautiful life mates for at least the next 10 months.
Team Hesed: A group of powerful women, that Loyally Love God, each other, and others.
This is our goal. We want to embody this saying in every way possible. We are growing and pushing each other towards it daily.
But, now Im going to share with you what makes each of these women beautiful and why I know the Lord gave them to me for this season.
Kayla Norwood: a.k.a Captain KK
She is our fearless, gracious, inspiring leader. This beautiful woman has surpassed all of my expectations in leadership. She has called each of us to look more like Jesus in how she leads. She has the most gentle and reverent love for the Lord and it is a true inspiration to watch. She prays and intercedes for us more than we know. She takes all task and gives it her 200% effort. If a song comes on that she knows, she dances like no one is watching. She is full of God’s joy. I look up to her for patience and the trusting spirit she carries.
Kamiren: a.k.a KamKam
This beautiful soul is so down to earth. She is one of the most go with the flow people I have ever met. She has an amazing servants heart for God and everyone around her. She is amazing at encouraging and loving you right where you are and not expecting you to be anyone other than your true self. She also has BOMB yoga skills and is keeping us all in relative shape. KamKam is our pink door and calls it as it is. She is honest and truthful, but leads with such grace. Kamiren has been an amazing encourager to me and has called me higher towards Jesus in so many ways!
Paige: a.k.a Pages
Pages is our silent but deadly girl. Paige tends to be quieter in most setting, but when she speaks, she drops bombs of truth and power. The Lord has anointed her with wisdom. Paige speaks truth with such grace and mercy and is such a beautiful reflection of God. The way in which Paige loves and supports each of us is beautiful. If you are ever upset, you can always count on Paige to have a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. Her love is loyal.
Kayla Strickler: a.k.a Sanitizer (just kidding, but if you ever need hand sanitizer, Kayla is your girl)
Kayla is our still small voice. She is slow to process her words and speaks with clarity and power. She is full of wisdom and insight beyond her years. She loves so deeply. She has passion and compassion enough for us all. Her smile and laughter can fill a room, but in a subtle and gentle manner. She is an excellent discerner. I have loved spending time with Kayla as she teaches me sign language.
Kristen: Oh, this girl… She rocks. I love my relationship with her; it is one filled with sarcasm and sassy love. We can joke and be serious, it’s the best! Kristen has a fierce passion for God. This passion overflows into her love for kids and dogs (of all shapes and sizes). She loves fiercely. She is one of the most servant hearted people I have ever met. She is the one that wakes up early and makes you coffee and delivers it to you while you’re reading your bible. Pretty much, awesome! I have learned so much from her during these 6 short weeks; vulnerability, endurance, patience, and kindness. Ps. Kristen still needs $1,000 to be fully funded (kristencoughlin.theworldrace.org)
Grace: Last but for sure not least. I love this girl a lot! Grace is so on fire for God and His word that you can’t help but be that way when you’re around her, which in my case is 24/7, lol. With that said, she has taught me more about God, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit than I have every learned in the past 6 years. She has challenged me to be a better me and seek Jesus in EVERYTHING! We have laughed, cried, and sometimes laughed so hard we cry. Grace is a natural leader, full of wisdom and grace. ( Matches her name ;)) She speaks truth over us and into us and calls us higher, to be more like Jesus. She is always willing to give all. She says Hi to everyone on the streets and loves recklessly, it’s quite beautiful. Ps. She needs about $2,300 to be fully funded (gracekoerner.theworldrace.org)
These women have pushed me, loved me, supported me, and challenged me in all the best ways. When we were first placed together, we were all unsure… but now having lived together for over a month, we see Gods hand in it all. We are powerful together. We loyally love each other and push each other towards Jesus. God planned for us to be together. He knows exactly what we will do, who we will meet, and every obstacle we will encounter. He is walking through it all with us. He won’t leave us. It’s going to be an amazing year of growth and stretching to become a group of powerful women who Loyally Love God, each other and others!!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Please continue to pray for these beautiful team members of mine, as well as Wonder Church, my squad. Ps. Nepal is all squad month, thats why we are all together, in one big house. Its a blast!
Love,
Gabbie 🙂
