One of the responsibilities of being a World Race Team Leader is writing a weekly update on how each member of my team is doing. I have the priviledge of leading a phenomenal group of God-loving women who constantly call me higher and ever encourage me in my walk with the Lord, and over the past few months we have truly become family. My latest "weekly update" included some of my favorite memories of each team member throughout our month in Swaziland; I shared with each girl and got her approval before making it available to the world, so here's hoping you enjoy the hilarity of daily life – literally, this kind of stuff happens constantly – with Team Just Love!!!
Elizabeth Cloutier:
My favorite memory regarding Liz this month: pantsing her in the middle of our community room (don’t worry, no men were present.) Her reaction was phenomenal and involved me getting beat with an African wrap. Worth it!
Laura Economides:
Major highlight: Laura tried Sweet Tea and loved it!!! Next step: Salmon Patties! Some day: Country Music!
Shelli Daniels:
Shelli has spent ample time this month “thrifting” in our contact’s clothes closet. We made a rule that for every item “purchased” we had to replace with one that we gave away, so all’s fair. Result: Shelli stenciled and cut up a striped pair of boxers, then sewed the shape of Africa onto anything that would stand still.
Karen Thyer:
Karen’s monthly highlight comes with photo proof; I let her convince me that it would be cute/fun to swing like our “eight-year-old” selves once again. The trouble started when trying to figure out how to assume in position… Hannah Haley suggested that Karen just “jump on up there” (‘up there’ being MY LAP!) Karen proceeded to do so, smashing into metal chains on both sides, resulting in two impressive bruises on both of her thighs. What can we say… hips don’t lie.
Kirby McErlane:
I wish Kirby’s monthly shining moment came with photo proof! Since most of have been getting rid of clothing (and going through the clothes closet at our location) Kirby, or “Free-Pile-Zilla” as she is known within our team, has had a hay-day! Her greatest find – a ridiculously flowered-y cardigan with incredibly large buttons and an expiration date somewhere in 1967. The only thing missing are shoulder pads – seriously! Kirby loves this thing, and I’ve delighted in referring to her as whichever Golden Girl pops into my head every time I see her wearing it.
Monica Pennington:
New favorite Saswazi word: Poofing! Monica was overheard by some kiddos (via our bathroom windows) making some incredibly entertaining noise during a certain potty break. Result: a gaggle of Swazi children running around our property asking anyone they came in contact with if it was him/her that they had heard, “Poofing!”
Ashlee Castle:
In keeping with embarrassing stories… I gave up soda for the month, but we basically have salt water to drink, so looking for an alternative, I picked up a bottle of ‘Fushion’ – supposedly an orange flavored juice-like drink. First sip was disgusting and wicked strong, so undeterred, I stuck it in our freezer with the thought, ‘anything is better in slushy form.’ It wound up freezing into a magnificent imitation of a push pop (that you have to scoop out of the bottle with a spoon) but I’ve delighted in this treat over the course of nearly three weeks now! I was enjoying a few spoonfuls after working in the garden when our contact walked by and saw what I was consuming. “Did you add water to that?” she asked. I shook my head as I swallowed a scoop, then told her the whole story. She and another ministry partner exchanged a look, then she explained, “You’re supposed to dilute one of those over 8 liters of water…” Apparently I’m consuming a push pop on steroids… but it tastes good.
Stay tuned for more wild and crazy Just Love stories from Europe!!!
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
