Cooking with Christy
Wow! What a blessing it was to have Christy McFarland on my first team. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to spend my first four months with Christy on the race. Christy is the embodiment of joy and child like faith. Her heart is pure and ready to serve always. Christy loves to learn new things and is always ready for an adventure. She talks to the Lord like He is her best friend and He loves to talk back to Christy. She definitely has the gift of prophesy.
During training camp Christy was not to sure about me but it was not soon into month two where we had actually become the best of friends. Together with the power of God we jumped over hurtles of lies from the devil, celebrated together, but best of all began to share a kitchen together. Both Christy and myself love to cook. For 3 months straight our team had the opportunity to cook for ourselves rather than our host cook for us.
Ecuador was the beginning of such a special experience for me. It was the first month that we had the opportunity to cook for ourselves. In fact, we had a whole house just for our team. Team Cafe was amazing and pitched in to do anything needed in the kitchen but for the most part they allowed Christy and myself to serve them in something we both are passionate about. This month was full of grace while learning how to work with one another., by the end of the month we could finish each other’s thoughts and sentences. We cook in the kitchen with a graceful dance of friendship.
Heading to Peru we had yet another opportunity to cook for our team. This is the month that I saw the true beauty and blessing of sharing the kitchen with Christy. The kitchen had become more than just a place to share a hobby, it was a sacred and safe space for any thought, emotion, and celebration. Christy and I had truly learned the beauty of being the body of Christ and working as one. In Peru, Christy even taught me how to make homemade bread. Because of Christy’s joy and rootedness in her identity we never had to compete and this allowed for idea sharing, teaching one another, and most importantly trust.
Month four we headed off to Lesotho and found out that we would be spending the whole month with team Valiant (exciting!) We were also informed that we would have an opportunity to cook again. Cooking month four was a huge blessing because it would be our last month as team Cafe. Although, we did not have a clue what we were in for because it would be a change having another team with us. Christy and myself still really wanted to cook but we did not know who all liked to cook on team Valiant.
Soon we found out that Janie was the master chief of Valiant, and even had went to culinary school. Christy and I were ready to serve and welcome Janie into our safe space. Janie was nervous at first, but Christy and I did our best to love and serve her well. Though there was a different dynamic at the end of the month we worked well together and had continued to have a sweet and safe place in the kitchen. One morning we all woke up early to make home-made cinnamon rolls. In the kitchen of Africa for Jesus we all Shared laughter, stories and Christy would shared many of her random facts she stores in her brain. Lesotho was yet another blessing. I adore both Janie and Christy. I believe the foundation of trust that Christy and I shared help to create the experience we had in Lesotho.
Christy you will forever be a precious friend of mine and I will forever be grateful for the many memories, safe places, laughs, and fun food creations that we made together. You are a blessing from the Lord to the people you encounter, continue to press into your true identity and never stop being Christy.
