J squad started their journey together at the end of May in 2009. We all met in Georgia for 10 days to prepare for race. Training camp consisted of praise and worship, prayer, team building exercises, learning about the race, camping, and more. During these 10 days staff evaluates us and prays and places us on the teams they fill we need to be on.
During one of the team building exercises Ken Virzi and I got into an argument afterwards. I refused to listen to his ideas and I shut down and didn’t want to talk about it. Ken is a big communicator and since I didn’t want to talk about it he gave up.
After each team building exercise staff would talk to everyone individually. We would evaluate how the exercise went and talk about who were the leaders, who we would like to be on a team with, and who we wouldn’t. I always put Ken’s name down and he put mine down for we wouldn’t want to be on a team with each other.
I even went out of my way to make a point to some staff, coaches, and team leaders that I would not go on the race if Ken and I were on the same team. I was told to pray about the situation. I tried to pray but I was set in my stubborn ways and didn’t want anything to do with Ken.
The time came for teams to be announced and I was a nervous wreck. Brandy was calling names and she called mine and since Ken was a team leader this meant we were not on the same team. I was so excited.
August came and it was time for J squad to start our race. We are all in Ireland and it was a worship night. I felt God tell me to go ask Ken to forgive me. I knelt down in front of him and asked him to forgive me and he did.
A few months have passed and Brandy and Dan feel its best for the squad to make a few team changes. Ken and I end up on the same team. The squad knew we didn’t get along at camp and several people came to me concerned about us being on the team together. I reassured them it was all in the past and things had been healed.
In my head I knew we were both strong willed people and could butt heads but something inside of me was at peace. I knew Brandy and Dan were only doing what they thought was best for us as a squad.
I never realized how blessed I was to have Ken on my team till a few months had passed. He had truly become my best friend. We told stories of our past and laughed and cried together. We shared what we thought I futures would hold and encouraged each other. We have been paired up to do ministry and have really seen God do some amazing things. 
Ken has pushed me to grow and its been hard at times. I know that he only wants what is best for me and see me become a better person. I could not ask for a better friend.
Ken is an amazing man of God. He has served God since college, he has led many movements on college campuses over the years. He has a heart for Turkey and I know God has great things planned for him.
I love to see God at work and this is just one of the amazing things He has done in my life this race. He took two people who really didn’t know each other and decided they didn’t care to be around each other and made them best friends.
God has a funny sense a humor I have learned this year. I really am glad that God allowed us to become such good friends and what a testimony our friendship is.
