This month we have had the pleasure of living and working on the Ruth Bell Medical Boat through Samaritan’s Purse. I feel blessed to have had this experience because how many people can say they lived on a boat in the Amazon Basin in Bolivia?
My team and I have done a variety of projects that include: cleaning the outside of the boat, cleaning the dentist office and medical office, pulling out all the things in storage from the Hull (underneath) of the boat, cleaning the mud out from the Hull, and children’s ministry in the port towns. I have to say that for how sticky hot it is and how many mosquitoes there are I am still really enjoying this experience. I think the main reason I am enjoying it so much is because I know that this is my last experience with the ladies of team Fiercely Loved.
Next month is team changes, which is where our leadership shakes up our squad to make new teams. Team changes happen for two reasons, 1. Our alumni squad leaders leave us after this month so they are going to raise up squad leaders from within our squad to take over their role. 2. Change will help us grow and learn new things from new people. It will also help unify the squad more.
So this month is especially sweet because we are getting to savor the time we have left together. The funny thing is that the Lord blessed us with being in a ministry where we literally could not run away from each other if we tried. We live on a boat! There is limited living spaces so we are around each other all the time. For someone who loves her alone time this has been challenging for me, but incredibly sweet at the same time.
Each one of these ladies has impacted my life in big ways. They have each taught me things that I will cherish forever. Just adding more treasures into my little treasure chest. (That is what I told each of them when they told me their story)
AbbyLin
This woman is a truth teller. She values people and relationships and is the most loyal. Her memory is impeccable but yet she is like a vault when you tell her something private. She is steady and consistent and I know I can always count on her to be there for me when I need her. I love that she is blunt and sassy. She makes me laugh with her side comments and I am thankful for her honest opinion. AbbyLin is my sassy sister!
Brook
Brook is a leader in vulnerability. She has crazy fun ideas and she loves to stretch us to implement them. I love that she brings a youthful spirit to our team. Brook dreams big and is not afraid to go for them. She is a worshiper at heart. I love that she brought a ukulele when she only knew a few chords to make her learn and so that she could help lead worship. Brook is my wild sister!
Cami
Cami is our fearless leader. She is the dad to my mom (we all have family roles) She leads with integrity and is diligent about always going to the Lord first when making decisions. She is more capable than she realizes and we all trust her completely. Cami hears Holy Spirit clearly and is not afraid to share what she hears. She constantly points our team back to Jesus. Cami is my steady sister.
Megan
Megan is a natural servant. She is always the first to learn how to do something to help out the team. Megan is also an encourager. She chooses joy in all circumstances and loves to encourage others to choose that as well. She leads through encouragement and sees others so clearly. Megan is my consistent sister.
Suze
Suze is the wild one of our team. She leads us in adventure and freedom. She lives out of a place of transparency. Suze has big ideas and pushes us to make those wild dreams turn into a reality. She is a safe place because of the wild freedom she creates wherever she goes. Suze is my free sister.
These sisters of mine have taught me many things over the last several months. I am going to miss them but I know that the Lord has our best in mind so I trust him with each one of them as we get split up. To their new teams take care of them and press into them. Ask them the hard questions and expect real answers. They are treasures so hold them closely.
