In my last post I briefly introduced you to my team, and now I will help you get to know the people I will be traveling, living, and doing ministry with for the duration of the race! I am the team point person, which means that I am in charge of talking with our hosts and organizing ministry opportunities as well as keeping in contact with our squad leaders and letting them know how we are doing while they are away. Along with communicating with our hosts and squad leaders, another one of my roles is making sure our team has daily team time. This is not a leadership role, I am the communication point person, and if there is a conflict I will communicate it to the leader or host who will step in and take control of the situation. Each team on our squad has a point person and treasurer, and we will learn more about these roles at launch on September 7th, where we will have additional trainings before the rest of the squad arrives on the 8th.
As a team, we chose the name Further, and the definition of further as a verb is: to help forward (a work, undertaking, cause, etc.); promote; advance; forward.
This is our goal as a team, to take the gospel to new places and advance the kingdom while also moving forward in our own relationships with God. And now, here is Team Further!
Luke Waguespack
Lukewaguespack.theworldrace.org
Luke is 19 (as of today!) and from Conifer, Colorado. He just graduated with his bachelor’s degree in engineering, and he is our team treasurer. Luke is quiet, but thoughtful, and one of his best qualities is his ability to put others before himself, which comes from his genuine care for our team. One of the last nights at camp we had an international market simulation where we used fake money to barter for our dinner. As Shea and I immediately started eating the food we had bought so far, Luke patiently followed us through the market with his hands full of more trays of food for our team until one of us finished eating so we could free up one of his hands. We are lucky to have Luke’s patience and thoughtfulness on our team.
Kendra Mallin
Kendramallin.theworldrace.org
Kendra is 18, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and just graduated high school. Kendra exudes joy in everything she does, and her joy is contagious. The rain comes and goes in Georgia, usually really fast and really hard, but one night it came with such fierceness that it required we all move our beds indoors or risk being struck by lightning. Kendra’s first reaction was to dance in the rain, and later that night she jumped in the muddy retention pond, all with a huge smile on her face. Her joy comes from Jesus, and it inspires me to look on the bright side of every situation.
Casey Henry
Caseyhenry.theworldrace.org
Casey is also 18, and a recent graduate of high school from Weare, New Hampshire. His dream is to become an actor, and in the meantime he dances like there is no tomorrow. Because of a backpacking trip prior to training camp, Casey arrived late, but it didn’t take any time at all before the whole camp knew who Casey was. At almost every meal I noticed Casey sitting at tables with people from other squads, and he formed fast friendships. Casey is confident in who he is and will talk to anyone, I can’t wait to see the connections he will form with the people we meet overseas.
Shea Fitzgerald
Sheafitzgerald.theworldrace.org
Shea is 18, from Dallas, Texas, and just graduated high school. She has the ability to go with the flow in any situation, and just laugh it off. I can’t count how many times during training camp Shea said to the team “it’s okay guys, we got this!” Before each session you could find Shea dancing to the music. Her response to failure is a smile and laughter. Throughout every day of camp Shea was giving us energy and encouragement, her bubbly personality kept me from looking negatively at any of the activities.
Hunter Meadows
Huntermeadows.theworldrace.org
Hunter is 18, and graduated high school in Columbus, Ohio. This summer Hunter was blessed with a worship internship where he has been able to practice his gifting as a worship leader. He plays somewhere around 20 instruments, and he is always willing to lead us in worship. Part of our training one day was preparing for children’s ministry. The scenario we were given said we were in China and had to prepare a skit, song, and a couple games for 45+ kids ages 6-11. Hunter quickly came up with a song and skit involving each team member, his creativity and inclusiveness will help team Further reach more people while staying connected to each other.
Kassie Arrington
Kassiearrington.theworldrace.org
As with everyone else, Kassie is 18 and a high school graduate. Unlike the rest of us, she lives the closest to AIM, coming from Augusta, Georgia. Kassie is strong, mentally and physically, she sees what we need to do and she pushes through. During our fitness hike, Kassie led the team, and she kept the pace to get us through. Kassie also cares deeply about getting to know our team and how she can bless us throughout the race. At lunch one day she started a page in her notebook for each member of team Further where she jotted down our favorite drinks, candy, love languages, and more. I am so excited to see how Kassie serves the people we meet through her attention to detail and desire to know people.
Update (8/7/17): Kassie is no longer coming with us on the World Race gap year, but is instead going on a semester long trip to India and Nepal leaving January 2018.
You may have already heard from Facebook, but I am FULLY FUNDED for the World Race!!! This is crazy, wonderful news! If you would like to help out any of my teammates financially, I added their blogs to their bios, you should subscribe to them while you’re at it! Thank you so much for all the support, I am beyond blessed.
