Hey y’all, here is an update! Woo!
First exciting thing: NEW TEAM!
We had team changes this month and are getting a sweet opportunity to do life with other people on our squad. It was sad and weird to say goodbye to the last team (Peace of Freedom), but I am so thankful for this incredible group of gals.
Allow me to introduce you to these rad chicks!
Hannah Beth
HB was on my last team with me (fun), she is incredible. She has a heart that is significantly larger than she is, a bold and confident presence, and intentionality that knows no bounds. She is passionate about making close relationships and creating a space for others to feel safe and welcome. One of my favorite things about HB is how deeply she relies on Jesus, her obedience to him causes me to want to do the same. HB is very funny and she does this specific voice when she’s being sassy that really cracks me up, I have deemed it as her alter ego and I call her A-Qui when she’s running with it.
Jez
One time, I was saying the word “juice” in a weird way and Jez thought I was saying her name, so now I call her juice. Hehe. Jez is a peaceful, precious soul who carries a strong sense of identity and assured ness. She is incredibly musically talented and comes alive when praising the father. Jez is a confidant, someone that seeks to understand, slow to anger and usually giggling. In the evening, the giggles are uncontainable and it is so fun. One of my favorite things about Jez is how much she values understanding and leads others into a place of understanding. Whether that’s in the Bible or with people, she is quick to guide us into perspective. Jez is a hoot, I’m thankful to know her.
Katie
This little gal is a firecracker. She is honest, full of life, and a party in a box. One of my favorite things about sweet Katie is how she connects with others. Almost everywhere we go, I see her sharing laughs and good conversation with whomever we are with. She is really gifted in connection and stewards that gift beautifully. She is also incredibly funny, she has a rather dry sense of humor and her ability to see the reality of the situation is always expressed. She brings light to hard things in a way that acknowledges the hard and gives abounding grace. Katie and I are the bear cubs of the group, you will usually find us shoving each other or cuddling.
Kaylin
What a woman. To me, this gal really encompasses the fullness of the word ‘woman’. She is fierce, deeply caring and nurturing. Her heart for you is unquestionable and she enters into emotions with you. She understands people deeply and seeks to help others understand themselves as well. There is no hesitation when she enters into a place, her entire heart is given wherever she goes. Kaylin makes me feel incredibly safe and I am so thankful to know her. Also, she has really great facial expressions and I deeply appreciate her witty sense of humor.
A more logistical update:
This month we are staying with a pastor and his precious family. Ministry has been a little different, we’ve been doing house visits as well as scraping the paint and repainting the walls of the church. We live in their back house and have made close pals with their 2 cats, whom we lovingly named Dan and Connie. Connie is my favorite (don’t tell Dan), he snuggles with me almost every night.
We are in Mendoza, Argentina and we love it here. It is fun and has a very European feel, it is strange to think that this is the furthest away from home that we have been thus far. We are now a team of 5, so we usually try to cram all of us in one taxi to save a little $$. It makes me laugh at how casually we do this, we have our formation on lock. Katie is always atop the three in the back, usually laughing a lot while we hide her from onlookers. Backpacks are everywhere and when it’s hot outside, you will have your thighs suctioned to the seat and to your neighbor. This is incredibly fun for me (it’s the little things, right?).
Next month we are headed to India, which is crazy and wild and woah.
Also, I GET TO SEE MY MOM NEXT MONTH!!!
If you find yourself praying, I’d love if you prayed for me too. Here are some specifics:
-New team, unity and growth in that.
-Fundraising, I’m about $2,800 away from my goal! Woo!
-Ministry, that we would be able to connect and truly hear the people we encounter. That they would come to know the Father’s heart for them.
Thank you for loving me.
Love,
Al
