When it was getting close to the end of the week, we started to do group formation. The whole squad of 55 people would be going to the same countries each month. However, we would be split up into teams of 6-8 people that would be doing different ministries in each country. We began by doing different exercises and challenges with teams.
Most of these activities I was familiar with because I lead many challenge courses throughout college.
We were working together with each other in small groups, feeling out who was a leader and how to communicate as a team. After each activity, we would have debrief. It wouldn’t be with the group, but individually. An an outsider who was observing us would ask us questions like, “who stepped up to be a leader,” “who would make a great leader,” “who could you not be on a team with,” “how do you feel about this team.”
The last two exercises, I worked with the same team. Ally, the girl who I connected with at the beginning of the week was in both of these groups.
I realized that Ally and I didn’t really get along during these activities. It wasn’t that we didn’t like each other, but working together like this… something just didn’t connect.
This group was challenging for me. I didn’t connect well with any of them. One girl, Courtney, I had never had a conversation with.
I thought there might not have been a connection because of the activities themselves, but knew deep down it wasn’t.
We had debrief together, talking about if we liked the group or didn’t, if we could be a team for the Race together and what we’d struggle with. I explained to Ally what I thought about our friendship in these activities. Funny thing, she agreed with me. She knew it would be way difficult for us to be on a team like this together. Difficult in a way that would challenge us both. Courtney didn’t like the group much at all, turns out, she hadn’t had a conversation with anyone in the group.
When it came time for the reveal, team leaders were already picked. I wasn’t one and knew I wouldn’t be one. God had finally set my heart in a place of peace about that subject.
The leader I thought was going to be mine I wasn’t comfortable with and the group I thought was going to be mine I didn’t like. Ally and I sat together and held one another’s hands, reassuring ourselves that it was going to be okay. The team leader started saying the names, but mine wasn’t called. I wasn’t on that team. I couldn’t believe it! I had no idea what in the world was going on.
Lizi called my name. The night before, Lizi came up to me and apologized for not getting to know me before. She said she was a intimidated by me and how I presented myself, walked with confidence, etc. We laughed about it together. I knew I should have told her more, but I didn’t. Later that night, I walked up to her and said, “Lizi, I’m sorry. I should have told you this earlier when you were telling me, but I felt the same way about you!” Gosh, it’s crazy how much you bond over something like that.
So, when Lizi called my name I was estatic. I couldn’t believe it. Funny thing, Courtney, the girl who I hadn’t had a conversation with, was on my team and we instantly bonded in relief. Everyone on my team is who I wanted to be with! God is so good. Grayson, the guy I prayed for after obeying the Lord. Andrew, whom I connected and laughed with a lot that week. Shelly, who I slept with the first night. Courtney and Lizi.
All 6 of us will embark on our World Race journey together. We wouldn’t be more excited. Lizi is coming from a place where she isn’t used to being a leader, she doesn’t normally lead. She’s a little nervous, but I am confident in the Lord. She is so ready to serve and ready to be honest with feedback. She’s going to challenge us to be better than we are now. I know that feeling is from the Lord.
Team Relentless. We are in relentless pursuit of the Lord. Two boys left to right: Andrew and Grayson. Girls left to right: Courtney, Lizi, Aubree, and Shelly.
