Hi everyone! I want to introduce you to my team that I’ll be serving alongside in Haiti! Teams were formed a few days into training camp after a lot of team building activities, one-on-ones, and praying. Our 31-person squad was divided into five teams, and we’ll be serving with our teams in Haiti. We may or may not have team changes throughout the Race and there may be months where we serve with the whole squad – but this is who I have the gift of doing ministry with at least through Haiti!
|Team 1010 Fierce!|
My sweet team is an all-women team (YES!) and wow, it’s a great one. It was not expected at all, but I am so very thankful for these women. Our six-person team represents a lot of places and backgrounds and it’s beautiful to me how the Lord creates a place of unity. Our team also has the youngest member of the squad (that’s me!) and the oldest (our girl Cimone) and I think that’s so cool! I encourage you to follow each of their journeys, as well! Below you’ll find some fun information on these lovely ladies and a little Q&A I did with each of them!
|Claire [Bear] McIntosh|
This is Claire. She’s our team leader, and WOW I’m so so thankful for her! Some fun facts about her: She almost died on day 4 of training camp (you can read about that on her blog page!), she surfs (she said she’d teach me when we get to South Africa), and she’s half English!
Q: What does saying “yes” to Jesus look like for you right now?
A: Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus means saying ‘no’ to myself. I have expectations and I plan things out how I want them to go and almost 98% of the time, God changes my plans. Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus means going out of my comfort zone. Letting go of my grip and lifting my hands towards heaven, giving the Lord complete control.
Q: What are you most excited about for the Race?
A: I am the most excited to experience so many different cultures and see how the Lord works in new and exciting ways specifically for that culture.
Q: What was the most challenging part of training camp for you?
A: The most challenging part of TC was letting go of my fears. I always have the same reaccuring fears whenever I am in the position to meet a group of new people and it really hiders my ability to thrive and be myself. The Lord quickly broke those chains and I was able to LIVE FREELY.
Q: If you could un-invent one thing, what would it be?
A: I would uninvent those reflective stickers guys always leave on their snapbacks because those things REALLY need to go LOL
What I’ve learned from Claire so far:
Claire has shown me what it looks like to find contentment and joy in every circumstance. Despite a run-in with a banana allergy and being sick since training camp, she has been a constant encourager and has demonstrated so much excitement for what the Lord has for her and for our team over the next 11 months.
|Gisele Marie Buenaventura|
Meet Gisele! She is one of the most joyful people I’ve ever met, and I know I have so much to learn from her! She knows the Holy Spirit and inspires me daily to steward the bodies we’ve been given as dwelling places for Him! Gisele’s love languages are physical touch and quality time, and she gives the BEST hugs!
Q: What does saying “yes” to Jesus look like for you right now?
A: Saying YES to Jesus means saying no to myself. There’s so many aspects of my life whether school, career, or relationships that I tried to control. Since I surrendered my will and my life to Jesus, the intimacy between us grew in the most marvelous way!! It’s just wow!! Wow! I can say and believe with all my heart that Jesus is the one that I want and need to cling on to. His plans for me are good, because He is good. His plans for me gives me Hope and a future. His plans for me exceeds my own understanding and leads me to never lack. So, even if it means that I will have to sacrifice my own worldly desires and crucify my flesh, I will rejoice doing it. Because, by dying I was reborn and made new. And, I’m filled with joy because Jesus loved me enough to keep pursuing me until I finally said YES to Him. With this YES came a command from Him to spread His love to the nations. What an honor!
Q: What are you most excited about for the Race?
A: I’m really excited to hug all the little children!!! I’m so grateful God gave me the heart to love them! I can’t wait to teach them and show them what the love of Papa is all about. In such a broken world, they can find wholeness in Him! I’m also really really excited to go to India!! Honestly, it’s an excitement and a passion for that country that I don’t understand yet. But, I know it’s been placed in my heart for a reason! God is going to show up in grand style!! So I’m coming expecting with an open heart to receive!
Q: What was the most challenging part of training camp for you?
A: Seeing myself in the “mirror” and knowing that there’s a sin root of pride still in my heart. I know this was rooted in me from a young age. It started off with my need to want to please everyone around me. And grew into something that grieves me, sucks the life out of me, and honestly just needs to GO! Lol!! But, gosh! I’m so grateful for God’s mercy and grace!! And, for the LOVE of my Squad! You love with the love of Jesus. Where I saw Pride, others saw who God made me to be and lifted me with words of encouragement and prayers. Iron sharpens iron! And I know God is uprooting that nasty root and planting seeds of humility! Thank you Jesus!
Q: If you had to eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? (Your health will be fine regardless!)
A: Hahaha!!! I love this question Amy! Hmmmm……….hmmm…Medium rare ribeye steak with a side of broccoli and mash potatoes with gravy!
What I’ve learned from Gisele so far:
Gisele has taught me about what it looks like to love others well and without reservation. She joyfully encourages others and boldly speaks truth, and that is so very beautiful! She sees qualities of the Father in those around her and speaks into those qualities.
|Laiken Martin|
This is Laiken! She’s fantastic. She’s the rock of our group and is the embodiment of strength and gentleness. She’s our Squad Safety Coordinator, she’s funny and musical, and she’s from Canada!
Q: What does saying “yes” to Jesus look like for you right now?
A: Saying “yes” is being vulnerable, transparent and real. A couple of years ago, if you would have asked me how I am really doing, I would say “good” when it really wasn’t. I want to be able to say what I am really feeling without feeling like I’m being too emotional. If I cry while speaking. I probably don’t want to cry, but I’m not going to hold it back. I’ve been told that being vulnerable, transparent and real can be beautiful. And by saying “yes” to doing this, I hope I can reach people that I may not have if I were trying to hide my emotions.
Q: What are you most excited about for the Race?
A: I am so excited to be in the different cultures and experience everything… even if it means eating a bug or dancing in front of people. I am also excited to be adventurous and try things I know I wouldn’t do here. (Hopefully I get the courage to bungee jump!)
Q: What was the most challenging part of training camp for you?
A: Being around people 24/7. I am an introvert and need my time alone, and training camp certainly didn’t provide enough time for me to be alone. Which was good in stretching me to be more social, but definitely exhausting.
Q: If you could have coffee with anyone ever, who would it be?
A: Oh gosh, I don’t know! Jesus? Or is that too cliché?
What I’ve learned from Laiken so far:
Laiken demonstrates a desire to serve outside of her comfort zone constantly. Even though the Race is going to be uncomfortable for all of us, Laiken included, she’s embracing it and running after what God has called her to. Also, during 10 days of sweating, new foods, tent sleeping, and approximately 0 alone time, I never heard her complain. She’s such a steady presence in the midst of uncomfortable situations and I’m excited to keep learning from her!
|Charity Yoder|
Meet Charity! Charity is one of the wittiest and most resourceful people I’ve met. She has a commitment to following the Lord outside of her comfort zone and I am so excited to learn more and more from her! We’ve had some lovely conversations about our differences, and WOW I’m humbled by her!
Q: What does saying “yes” to Jesus look like for you right now?
A: What does saying yes mean to me? It means being willing to think and learn differently than I’ve been taught to think; stepping away from a rather conservative culture and following only God; working on identifying the ‘shirts’ I’m wearing to cover up my true self; leaving my close-knit family especially now when my two married sisters could be having a first niece or nephew when I’m way across the globe.
Q: What are you most excited about for the Race?
A: What am I excited for on the Race? Watching God stretch and mold me and my squad into sons and daughters who boldly and fearlessly declare our Father’s name to the nations.
Q: What was the most challenging part of training camp for you?
A: Learning to be open and share my heart with my team and squad when I’d really rather be sitting in the background.
Q: If you could adopt a baby version of any animal, what would it be? (For the purposes of this, we’ll assume it’s a safely domesticated animal even if it isn’t)
A: A koala maybe? As long as it’s cuddly (and I didn’t research this so I have really know way of knowing)
What I’ve learned from Charity so far:
Charity and I come from pretty different backgrounds, and she was so open to my questions about her life growing up to now. She embraced so many things about training camp with open arms, including everyone around her. She’s an encouragement to me to continually celebrate people’s differences and enjoy seeing the Church worship together.
|Cimone Ortega|
Here’s Cimone! Cimone is such a gem and she is just so much fun. She has so much faith in the Lord’s plans for her and her commitment to follow His will for her is beautiful. I’m so thankful she’s on my team!
Q: What does saying “yes” to Jesus look like for you right now?
A: Me saying yes to Jesus right now means allowing him to have full control of my life (every area) & even though I am unsure of what’s happening or what’s going to happen-I am choosing to have faith and trust even on the harder or more challenging days.
Q: What are you most excited about for the Race?
A: For the world race, I am most excited for EVERYTHING!
Q: What was the most challenging part of training camp for you?
A: The most challenging part of training camp for me was being there not knowing if I would actually go on the race because of where my funds were at. It was very hard but I stuck with it because I knew God had me there for a reason! & he still has me on this WR path for a reason!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: If I could have a superpower, hmmmmm… I think it would be to fly. Then I could go anywhere in the world without having to pay for a plane ticket!
What I’ve learned from Cimone so far:
Cimone has taught me a lot about being faithfully invested in the Kingdom. She pursues people’s hearts and the Lord’s will without reservation. Even if she becomes discouraged, her faith does not waver. It’s such a beautiful thing to see her constantly live a life of worship!
|Me|
Y’all know who I am! If you’d like to know the answers to any of the questions above, I’d love to talk to you! Just send me an email, text, or I’d love to meet up with you and talk over coffee (or snowballs or ice cream or chicken nuggets). I’ll be writing more blogs about what I learned at training camp and my role on the squad soon!
Thank you for reading and for following on this journey with me!
