Siem Reap Month 3… I left home 63 days ago…
Every night my team and I sit down to do a team time. On Wednesdays we have Worship, which is where we go up on the roof and connect with God through song. On Thursdays we have Journey Markers which is where the leadership asks us a series of questions each week and our answers get sent to the leadership so they can see where we are at in our journey. For example there have been questions like: How has the Holy Spirit shown up in your daily life? or What new practices or habits is God asking you to step into as you embark on your journey this year? These questions aren’t always easy and sometimes they show you the messy truth you have been ignoring, but looking back on them they also show immense growth. On Fridays we have storytelling which is where we take an hour to write a blog and update our supporters back home. On Saturdays we have feedback which you will learn about in this blog. On Sundays we have free for all which is where we get to pick what we do, as long as we do it as a team. For that we have done things like, go swimming, watch a movie/go to the movies, or even watch The Office best moments on YouTube (luckily I was sick for that one ;p) On Mondays we have off from team time, Mondays are adventure days, so we usually choose to spend time with each other anyway. And Tuesdays are debrief, so for ministry Wednesdays are like the normal Mondays in a week and Tuesdays are like the normal Sundays in a week. Debrief is where we get together and talk about things like what our best, worst, hardest, and funniest moments of the week had been.
The team time I look forward to the least is feedback, but it has also taught me the most. Before the race I had never been taught what feedback really meant. Before the race anytime I had what I would now call feedback, I would approach it the wrong way and then it would turn into conflict. Practicing feedback has been one of the most influential lessons on my race thus far and learning to do feedback correctly has improved my communication skills greatly.
Feedback versus Conflict
Feedback is speaking from truth and love, feedback is not a pet peeve or opinion, feedback is celebratory and/or constructive, feedback develops trust, feedback is always encouraging. You should never receive feedback and feel bad. After you receive feedback you say thank you and then pray about it, and most importantly, you should never get defensive when receiving feedback. So if I receive feedback I should never respond with, “oh I do that because…” For example I have received feedback like this: “You have such a servants heart and I love the peace you carry, I encourage you to not let that stop you from advocating for yourself.” I have also gotten feedback as simple as, “It’s super exciting to see how quick you are to love.”
Team feedback is a time where we sit together for about an hour and lift each other up, even if it is constructive. We usually either do hot-seat or open floor. Hot seat is where someone starts and everyone goes around and gives any feedback they may have for that person, and everyone has a turn. Open floor is where we spend the hour just pop-corning feedback for whoever we like, not in specific order.
After you receive feedback, you say thank you and then later, on your own time, you take it to the Lord and see what He has to say about it. Feedback isn’t always true, people make mistakes and we have grace for them, that’s why we take it to the Lord; to see if He says it is true.
Feedback and conflict are two completely different things.
Conflict is a disagreement or argument lasting for more than a day. Conflict is pet peeves and personal opinions. When restoring conflict this is what we should remember: Nothing will break down relationships faster than gossip, go into the situation graciously not angry, if you are conflicted and take that to someone; ask their perspective, don’t start being defensive. Remember; seek first to understand, then to be understood.
My team has not yet had conflict to restore, but that also doesn’t mean we never will. I don’t want our team to have conflict, but I’m also interested in learning how to see the restoring process take place.
I will be posting a new blog by Friday 11/15/18 🙂
Thank you all so much for the love and support you have shown me this far! I would not be here without all of you! If you have any questions about this blog or what I or the Lord have been doing in Cambodia, I encourage you to step out and comment below (I really appreciate those), you can also Facebook message me, or email me at [email protected]
xoxo
Kae
Fundraising Update:
I am $2,283 away from being fully funded! That’s amazing! At the beginning of this journey I couldn’t even imagine being this close! I cannot thank you all enough for the financial and prayer support you have all shown me! I have 67 more days to be fully funded. That time is going to go by rather quickly. Will you prayerfully consider donating? If you are feeling lead to donate it would be very much appreciated! Prayer support is just as appreciated!
Ways you can donate:
Venmo: @kaelan-blowers
Paypal: paypal.me/kaeblowers
Website: kaeblowers.theworldrace.org just click donate and it will take you through step by step
Through the Baptist Church of Northville
Again Thank YOU and God Bless!
