I was on the plane! A plane headed straight to Africa. Straight to an even different culture I was already in. As I was sitting in the emergency exit row (PTL for the extra leg room!), I people watched. I was delirious by this point, seeing we were on the 41st hour of our 55-hour travel excursion.
Prior that day, our squad started our trek to Africa, first to Miami with a 5-hour layover, then with a 17-hour layover in the beautiful city of Portugal- tough life, huh? As I sat in my seat, legs stretched out and a belly full of pastries, I observed the flight attendants. One of the flight attendants was boppin’ from row to row asking passengers for their already provided pillow and blanket to stow over head for takeoff. As the passengers obviously gave him a strange reaction, he would say, “we are getting ready for takeoff and want things secure.”� This whole procedure struck me as odd, so much so that I made eye contact with the gentleman next to me and said, “This must be one heck of a takeoff.”
This is how the last four months have felt. It’s been one heck of a takeoff. When I signed up for the World Race…okay confession time…I read one blog and watched one video and that was the extent of my research. I felt such a strong yes in my being it actually scared me right into bed for the night! But God kept pulling at my heart over the next few days until I applied. I barely did ANY research. For some of you this doesn’t come as a surprise seeing planning and research would interfere with my spontaneity. Shocker shocker. BUT God knew exactly how he created me and what would work to place me on this trip.
I have seen growth in my vulnerability with the people around me. I’ve seen growth with figuring out how to not only survive, but thrive in community living. I have been stretched WAY out of my comfort zone to the point of complete surrender. I am learning how to fully rely on God’s strength in the big things but also the small stuff. I have seen and am still learning what makes my Savior’s heart happy and what breaks his heart.
This must be one heck of a take off
That comment is applicable for the season of the race I am in right now. At the end of next month, Allison (our squad leader) is traveling back to the United States after she so gracefully solo lead our entire squad for the first five months. With her transitioning out, two racers from our squad were asked to step up to squad lead. Leadership presented me with this opportunity to grow even more as a leader, and I took that leap.
The new role comes with more responsibility, awareness, communication and training but the goal of my race stays the same. Serve God. Serve others.
Instead of having a team of 5-7 racers from V-squad, I have a team of leadership in the states (which are all incredible human beings that pursue the Lord with humility) and my co leader, Amber. We are both passionate about keepin’ it real and being honest where we are at (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually). We agreed that walking in vulnerability and humility are things we are striving for.
Each month Amber and I will stay with one of the four teams and integrate ourselves into their team for that month, then travel to another team on our squad. Amber and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to serve alongside all the teams on our squad. Amber and I shared lots of the same interests and personality traits but where I have weaknesses, her strengths shine bright and vice versa.
Here’s to new seasons, new challenges and new opportunities. But still one goal: Serve God. Serve others.
Update on my hair: I am entering the awkward stage. It looks like fuzzy the bear died on my head. On the flip-side, I take 3 minute showers and rarely spend money on shampoo. #lessweighttocarry
