R squad: 33 racers from various areas around the United States. 5 teams to create, team building practice here we come.
Going into training camp, I knew we were going to create our teams for our first few months of the race. These people will be the ones we’ll be living in community with day and day – serving, reflecting, bonding, journeying together. As we started off training camp, I had this in the back of my mind wondering how this would work and who would be in the same team.
I’d experienced team building activities and assignments often in college- from week long service trips to year long leadership roles in Residence Life and other areas on campus. Through the various processes, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in orchestrating each team and the individuals forming each group. He has been so faithful to provide safe encouraging teams that value learning and growth. I couldn’t help but be excited and full of peace knowing He was going to be faithful in laying out these teams.
The day came when we were going to meet our teams. I had been getting to know a variety of individuals on the squad – one because I love getting to know people and two because I didn’t know who’d make up my team but there is a possibility of switching throughout the year. I thought it would be good to get to know a lot of the individuals on our squad.
My heart was so excited with anticipation! I already felt like this squad was becoming a place open to real authentic living, but now I was going to meet my team. As we sat and waited for our squad time to begin, I felt a sense of peace come over me as I talked to the Lord – feeling calm that He has put together these groups with purpose and meaning & through the many prayers of our leaders and squad mates.
As we hear announcements of what was going to happen, leaders began to fill the room with balloons- balloons with our names on them- balloons that held a note inside of a song- a song we’d sing and then find those singing the same song – those that would become our team. We were released to go find our own balloons and then teams. I became a child in that moment searching for her name on a Christmas present. So much joy filled my heart as I looked and then found my name on a balloon.
As I popped it, the note read: Kiki do you love me? I hesitated because I didn’t actually know that song (I learned it later because it became the background song of a rap/song our team performed) so how was I going to find my team? As I read it again, someone tapped my shoulder, and there stood a squad mate Liv with the same song. I jumped up and hugged her with so much excitement. Not only was I excited that we’d be on the same team, but I felt a sense of home being created – these people were becoming my people – my God-orchestrated community – and that is so beautiful to me it brings tears to my eyes then and now writing this.
As she sang the song and we walked around, we found the entirety of our team. With each one found, our team was being formed with new sisters one after the other. We hugged and got together to get to know one another as a team. I felt God’s peace, joy, and love in that time- He brought together a team of sisters, many if not all whom I’d been hoping to be on a team or were drawn to in life-giving conversations.
As we sat together, our squad mentor came and spoke to us about our team – how she had been praying and what the Lord spoke to her. She shared how this group was special – that we may already experience an ease and naturalness to these relationships- all of us being open to being in community with one another. She felt the Lord brought her the word celebration for our group. That as we walk into this journey together – each of us growing more into who we are – that we may be able to celebrate who God has created each of us to be.
Two words that first came up two years ago during my sophomore year of devotions and now becomes more and more relevant are joyful expectation. I feel so filled with a joy and expectation that the Lord is faithful, moving, and writing such beautiful stories in each of our lives and as He joins our stories together.
Meet our team: C3! We came up with our name through some words that stuck out to us and that we want to live into over this next year- confident, courageous, and chosen. Be sure to check out their blogs during this time as well – links along the left side of this page.
Morgan
Annie
Michaela
Caitlynn
Hattie
Liv
Team C3
Thank you all for your prayers and support! We’ve reached my deadline for December and continue to pray as God provides for the last $6,000 to fundraise. He is so faithful, and I’m so grateful for all of the partnerships through this journey. Tomorrow is November 11th (11/11). This program is also known as 11n11 – 11 countries in 11 months. I want to invite you to donate $11 for this special day of 11/11. Thank you!!
Worship Songs:
Confidence by Sanctus Real
Soar by Meredith Andrews
Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin
