Debrief is a time for the whole squad to meet at a location (The location chosen for us was Banos, Ecuador!) with leaders. We get a chance to sit down one on one with our coaches, squad mentor, squad leaders, fellow racers, and most importantly God. We spend the time going over what we have been learning, what we have been struggling with, discuss how we feel things are going, and anything else that comes to our hearts that we want to share. It’s a special time set aside for us to be able to express, explore, and question what’s been on our hearts, with someone who has more on the race, more wisdom in spiritual matters, and different perspectives on spiritual matters…
We were very blessed to not only have the squad leaders (Jenny Walsh & Hannah Vorros), our squad mentor (Ashley Francis “Fran”), our coaches (Kris & Doug Christopher), but we also had the privilege of our Squad Mobilizer (Lindsay Sullivan) to come out to join us! Lindsay doesn’t normally get to come out on the field, but due to our special connection with her, we asked her if she would, she prayed about it, asked her boss at AIM, got the ok, then raised the money, and BAM she got to come out to our 1st debrief! Where she participated in one on ones and even gave an eye opening lesson on the Creation. Then allowed us to spend time with the Lord in a creative outlet.
So out of the 6 people I had the opportunity to speak to, I spoke with 5! They had sign up sheets with 30 minute time slots for people to sign up for the people they wanted to talk to. I started out signing up with two people the Lord had lead me to talk to. But as the days went on I felt compelled and lead to sign up for the other 3 people. I related to each person in a different way, realized we struggled with something similar, or even had similar interests! So with each person it was good to sit down and talk, I can honestly say with each person I talked about something different. Some of the things I learned or was challenged to go deeper in was:
- I like one-on-ones! So far on the Worldrace, month one, I’ve enjoyed the group/team setting, but struggled at times, because its hard for me to open up to such a big group. Plus I tend to think and process a lot, so a lot of times if I’m not asked a specific question, the conversation is 3 topics down the line before I’m ready to comment on what was said. So during one-on-ones I feel I can be more open and have time to process the comments/questions!
- I forgot how much I love to be outside, in God’s Creation! I love to sit in his creation and draw it! He reveals so much to me through nature!
- I was challenged to be more vulnerable with my team! I’m working on this one!
- I was asked why do you like control? Where did this wanting control mindset come from? I’m still processing that one!
- I forgot how much I love the squad, and how many there are! It’s a little bit overwhelming when we’re all together, for this introvert! So I am learning how to make sure that I get enough time with the Lord, a proper amount of those one-on-one times, and times on my own to rejuvenate me!
- Debrief isn’t all about what cool things you can do, or how much you can do during this time? It’s about having a balance between rest and rejuvenation. So you can process and be refreshed for the future! It’s also about starting to prepare your heart for the future ministry opportunities next month!
Overall it was a great 5 days in Banos, Ecuador!
The Lord was at work! He revealed, challenged, comforted, consoled many hearts and He has many plans for our squad in the future!
