We have been on the field for 3 months, heading into our fourth month now. (WHAT). As we are headed into Bolivia, I was reflecting on the past 3 months, and realized I want to share with y’all the sweet ladies I am doing life with every day.
While I am on a squad of 24 racers and 2 leaders, I am on a smaller team with 5 other women that I live with, do ministry with, and spend quality time with (all the time).
With an incredibly grateful heart, I introduce team Peace of Freedom.
Jada Charlton
(mom, ha-da)
22 years old
Grafton, West Virginia
Family role: mom
Oh man, when I see Jada, I see a woman who is full of wisdom and knowledge. This woman loves the Bible so deeply, and spends intentional time studying the word. When she digs into the word, she is there for hours, looking at cross references, Greek/Hebrew translations, and commentary. She is a literal walking Bible reference.
Sometimes I’ll say, “hey Jada, what’s the Bible verse that says, ‘___,’” and she will have an answer for me within seconds.
Jada enjoys Biology and New Girl. She downloads science textbooks (not a joke) onto her Kindle and reads them for enjoyment. We quote New Girl at one another, crying tears from laughing so hard.
Jada is intentional and trustworthy. She creates a space where I feel safe to share (and usually cry) and she just smiles back and listens so well. I used to wonder why she smiled, but I realized it is because she sees me, and finds the version that she sees to be beautiful.
She knows me.
She will ask, “hey, are you okay? I feel like something is off.” Sometimes before I realize what I’m feeling.
She affirms me in my worth and pushes me to seek Jesus.
She serves with a heart that doesn’t expect anything in return. Typically, you can find her jamming in the kitchen while chopping veggies. Love you, Jada.
My favorite thing about Jada: her simplicity.
Allie LaMalfa (al pal, al)
21 years old
Chico, California
Family role: wild child
Allie is my person. She is my safe space when I feel misunderstood. She looks at me deeply and loves me so well. I love quality time with her, it is filled with psychological processing, deep conversation, and tough questions.
She is the first to call me higher and a person I trust with my soul.
She is truly our wild child.
She DJs dance parties, asks crazy questions, and comes alive at night.
She’s the first to say yes to anything spontaneous and fun and is the best sleeper I know.
Allie has a deep love for anything psychology.
She cares so deeply for her high schoolers (sons) back home. She carries photos of them in her wallet. She cares about the details. She wants to know the beautiful and the ugly and finds beauty in the ugly. We sit in the ugly things and seek grace in them.
Allie is giggly, full of joy, and oozes the love of the Lord. When she gets excited, her eyes light up and her smile is captivating. She is beauty.
She is discerning and responds with fervent prayer, consistently. Typically, you can find Al exploring a new place or lounging on our bed for the month. Love you, Al pal.
My favorite thing about Allie: her joy.
Sarah Oliver
(su-rah, Debbie)
24 years old
Flowery Branch, Georgia
Family role: little brother
I’m giggling as I write this, because I can imagine Sarah lying in bed with her eye mask on, looking like a person in a casket.
Sarah is our storyteller (literally and as a role). She shares stories from her home life, and I feel like I know her family like my own.
She carries joy and faith like no one else. She trusts in the Lord and vocalizes it. She sees the beauty in the things we share. She encourages from a place of really desiring to see the Lord.
She is the first to remember a small detail and bring it back up to celebrate with you.
She asks intentional questions about things that happen back home.
She cares about our hearts and is sure to ask questions not just about the field, but about processing and emotions.
She is vulnerable and real. She is truthful and brave.
This past month, Sarah started reading books – like 3 or so. She was usually tucked in a corner with her kindle, reading and getting excited about the wisdom she found.
Sarah seeks vulnerability and finds it. She serves and opens her heart willingly. Typically, you can find Sarah writing a blog or sharing a story. Love you, Sarah.
My favorite thing about Sarah: her faith.
Mallory Garrett
(malgene, mal, malpal)
31 years old
Pace, Florida
Family role: big sister
Ah, Malgene. Mallory is full of wisdom and is growing so rapidly.
From the beginning of the race to now, I have seen her step boldly into sharing and leading. She isn’t afraid to lead a conversation, and willingly shares her heart.
Mal is packed full of planning ideas, logistical thoughts, and analytical processing.
She is an architect back home and appreciates the beauty of the cities we visit.
Mal is artistic. She often spends time sketching a view she sees, drawing something the Lord gives her, or just doodling for fun.
She loves to giggle. Sometimes, we giggle uncontrollably at “worst case scenarios”.
She is a prayer warrior and is a friend to everyone. In moments of hurt or confusion, she is the first to offer a touch of affirmation, a word of encouragement, or just a listening ear.
She reminds me of the bible verse in Psalm 31, as the woman of God is described. It says that she “considers a field before she buys it.” This is Mal!
She gives deep thought and consideration to everything. She prays constantly. She seeks the Lord over small and large things. She is wise and fun.
Mallory is gentle and understanding. Typically, you can find her reading, spending time with the Lord, or drawing. Love you, Mal.
My favorite thing about Mal: her intentionality and consistency.
Hannah Conway
(Hannah Grace, han)
21 years old
Vancouver, Washington
Family role: dog (because she eats all the stuff we can’t manage to finish)
Oh, Hannah Grace. A woman of fierce love for others.
She has an incredible ability to find joy in the really hard moments. She can follow a tough sentence with a giggle, as we encourage her to push deeper into the pain.
She feels the pain of others, and you can see it on her face as she listens and responds with emotion.
She is discerning, and willing to share what the Holy Spirit lays on her heart.
She carries the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like, WHOA, she carries him so evidently.
She makes wise decisions and chooses to seek the counsel of the Father when she is unsure.
She is a secret nerd 😉 and loves videogames and board games (sorry han, secret is out).
She loves sarcasm and comes from a huge family (like me!).
Hannah Grace is aware of Holy Spirit and how He is moving. She has an incredible ability to receive words and pictures from the Spirit and shares them openly.
She is loving and caring. She seeks out the least of those and intentionally finds joy with them. You can typically find her listening to a podcast/worship music, chatting with her favorite people back home, or filling out receipts. Love you, Han.
My favorite thing about Hannah: her ability to meet people where they’re at.
That’s Peace of Freedom! We love to bake cookies, watch movies, and talk about deep stuff. We seek intentional time with Jesus and allow that to fuel our time with one another. We love cooking, eating chocolate, and giggling. I’m incredibly thankful for these gals. They’ve pushed me to Jesus and accepted me on my best and worst days.
We would love prayer for our travel as we are headed to Bolivia tonight!
I also am still fundraising and am so close to being fully funded (I only lack a few hundred dollars)! I need to be fully funded by January 31 to stay on the field.
Would you consider partnering with me, or with my teammates that are still fundraising? (Allie, Hannah, Mallory, and Sarah)
All my love,
Hannah Beth
