One of the best parts about training camp was HANDS DOWN meeting the people I’m going to be going on this adventure with. Over and over again throughout the week I was impressed with the 25 people that were in this with me. Not only was I impressed with who they were as individuals, but also with how well we seemed to fit together. As someone who puts up her guard out of habit I found it extremely easy to let it down with my squad mates. I was encouraged, challenged, prayed over and humbled by the young men and women that I’m going to be doing life with over the next year. They already feel like family, I can’t explain why, but I know God hand selected us all to walk together this year — I don’t know how specifically each of these people will impact my life, but I can’t wait to find out. There will be challenges ahead and more days than we’d like where we don’t want to see each other, but I’m confident that there is no better group of people to live in community with and live out this calling on our lives.
I want you to get to know some of the people that I’ll be living my life alongside over the next year. But first, let me clarify. My Squad–V Squad–is the larger group (currently 25) of people that will be traveling the same route of countries with me throughout the 11 months. There will be at least one month we are all together at the same ministry and we’ll see each other at debriefs and travel days, but the majority of the race will be spent with a smaller team of people. Our squad consists of four teams and while I’d love for that team to stay the same for the whole race, it very likely won’t. And we don’t know how long our teams will stay as they are. So, with that little bit of clarification, let me introduce you to my team, The Ambassadors.
I asked everyone some general and not so serious questions about themselves, please check out their blogs for more details about each of them. They are all swell and I’m very excited to start this adventure with them.
Rachael
Hometown & Current town: Hayward, WI
Country I’m most looking forward to: More like the continent of Africa ?? I’ve had a heart for Africa since I was young, but have never been over there.
What I will miss about home: Definitely my family. My family is everything to me and leaving them is already ripping my heart out.
My luxury item: Hahahah I have these blue joggers with the scrunchies on the bottom of the legs that look ridiculous but I feel like a new woman with them on ?? I am bringing those suckers if I have to wear them everyday
Will
Hometown and Current Town: Troy, MI
Country I’m most looking forward to: I’m most excited to visit Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. I’m looking to learn about the Southeast Asia culture as many of my ancestors are from the Philippines.
What I will miss about home: I think I’ll miss golf. Even though right now I’m perfectly alright for not being able to play for a year, when I’m away on the race, I think I’ll start to miss it.
My luxury item: I like to take care of my hair and use my Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryer on a daily basis. Not sure what I’ll do about my hair on the race but I’ll probably end of getting and bringing a compact hair dryer for the trip.
Kelley
Hometown: Denver, NC
Current town: Newton, NC
Country I’m most looking forward to: I am most looking forward to India. It’s a quite strange obsession that I have with this country. I am looking forward to getting to know its culture and people, the food, and the madness!
What I will miss about home: I will miss my family most. They are nuts and there is never a dull moment. Additionally, our pets! Y’all I don’t know a life without animals. Pray for me.
My luxury item: Dogs are still considered a luxury, right? Goodness, leaving me pupper is going to be HARD.
Caleb
Hometown and Current town: Rapid City, SD
Country I’m most looking forward to: All of them will be so unique and culturally diverse, but I am really looking forward to Central America.
What I will miss about home: Family/everything about home as I have never lived away from home before.
My luxury item: Probably my computer mouse.
Courtney
Hometown: Blackshear, GA
Current Town: Carrollton, GA
Country I’m most looking forward to: I’m excited about all of them but if I had to pick I would say India. God put it on my heart a long time ago to go, so I’m excited for what He has in store there!
What I will miss most about home: My Mom. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye to her.
My luxury item: Probably makeup or my favorite pair of pajama shorts. I haven’t even begun to think about packing yet, so it we’ll see haha
Me
Hometown and Current Town: Charlotte, NC
Country I’m most looking forward to: I’m not really sure why, but Cote D’Ivoire has peaked my interest. I think it’s probably because I know the least about it.
What I will miss most about home: I will of course miss my family and friends, but I think I’m going to struggle most with the freedom I have here. Not being able to hop in my car and go where I want when I want is going to be a struggle.
My luxury item: This will be the art supplies I’m bringing with me on the trip, it would be difficult for me to go a year without stretching my creative muscles.
I hope you enjoyed this brief intro to my team, we can’t wait to share our journey with you, don’t forget to subscribe to keep up.
Thanks for reading!
