Our teams that we have had since month 5 are no longer together.
For month 10 we have a whole new team, and then in month 11 we will pray for where the Lord wants us to go, what to do, and who to do it with.
Being on team Fuerte has been full of laughter, tears, and fun. I will forever cherish my time on this team as holding a lot of my favorite memories. So to end this time together I want to tell a little of my favorite things about each of the members of Fuerte All Day:
Ashlyn Hermann
Age: 24
Animal that represents her: Dolphin
Favorite Memories: Spike ball in Botswana, thinking of fun activities in our english classes, learning how to cook, and getting locked out of the house and saying “oh we could use the rugs on the back porch to get us into the gate” then realizing that I said something dumb when Ashlyn was laughing. (The rugs were inside the gate we were trying to get over)
What I learned from her: I learned how to notice people and be loving and graceful when giving and receiving feedback.
My time on a team with Ashlyn has been filled with lots of laughter and growth. I am so excited to see where the Lord leads Ashlyn in the future, and what our friendship holds after the race (we only live two hours apart! yay!)
Ethan Floyd
Age: 26
Animal that represents him: Kitten
Favorite Memories: Any time Ethan has fallen, him getting beat by Chelsea in basketball, and all the joking around we do all day everyday
What I learned from him: I’ve learned how to love even when it is hard, and to pursue friendships with everything you have.
My friendship with Ethan is something else. He has potential to do amazing things for the Lord and will be a light for the Lord everywhere he goes. Ethan drives me nuts most of the time, but he pushes me to be honest and true to who I am.
Jonathan Anthony
Age: 23
Animal that represents him: Sloth
Favorite Memories: Finishing all of the original Star Wars movies (and then some), watching him be the girls favorite in Thailand, and all of the spike ball and rook matches.
What I learned from him: How to pursue things that you really want to achieve with all your heart.
My time with Jonathan has been full of lots of games, movies, and fun. Jonathan has grown in so many ways over this year and I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use him in the coming future.
Mack Brunney
Age: 23
Animal that represents him: Otter
Favorite Memories: Any memory that has to do with us laughing uncontrollably because we made up a hypothetical situation or Mack made things awkward like always.
What I learned from him: How to listen to the Holy spirit and be obedient to what He has to say, even if it is uncomfortable or out of the ordinary
Mack has brought so much fun and laughter to this year. After thinking we would never relate at the beginning of the race to now being one of my closest friends I have loved every awkward and funny experience with Mack.
Megan McKinley
Age: 24
Animal that represents her: Blue Whale
Favorite Memories: Painting in Zim, church in Malawi, spike ball and rook, going on the Safari, Jumping off the bridge at Victoria Falls, and Songkran.
What I learned from her: To love everyone around you, encourage others to push themselves, and to try to push yourself to speak Spanish.
Megan has been my friend since day one. She pushes me to be my best and is an amazing encourager. I would have to say that during the race she has also been my biggest fan! I love that I have the opportunity to continue my time on the race with Megan.
Zach Lambert
Age: 24
Animal that represents him: Honey Badger
Favorite Memories: all of the memories made in Thailand and watching baseball in Botswana.
What I learned from him: To always push yourself even when you don’t want to.
My time with Zach has been one for the books. Zach is always loud and you know when he enters a room. haha But, Zach also has a side to him that shows he is soft and caring even if he doesn’t want to admit it. He is a good listener and a good friend.
***Honorary Members of Fuerte***
Chelsea Casady
Age: 23
Animal that represents her: Quokka
Favorite Memories: Sleeping by each other in a triple decker bunk bed, then sleeping by each other on the floor in Botswana, watching our favorite show together, beach days, spike ball, rook, when you said I was your friend, and all the embarrassing things that have happened to us.
What I learned from her: How to lead with grace, love, friendship, and a great listening ear, and to be honest and open with those around you.
Chelsea is one of my favorite people around. I love her “try it” spirit and how she has learned the guitar, uke, cojon, how to cook, and how to juggle all while on the race. Chelsea has amazing leadership skills and is an amazing squad leader and friend.
Katie Shepard
Age: 18
Animal that represents her: GEICO Camel (the one in the office yelling “HUMPPP DAYYYY”)
Favorite Memories: Winning a really good game of Rook. When we had to run back from the beach in the rain, making grilled cheeses.
What I learned from her: Katie has heard this all month but I will say it again, Katie has taught me how to look at everything with a smile and a happy heart because you know you are doing it for the Lord.
Katie is a special person! She was a great addition to our team for our month in Panama and was so fun to be around every day. She pushes herself to do the hard things, like hike a volcano, and speaking in Spanish. When I grow up I hope I’m half as mature and fun as Katie.
Nicole Sanchez
Age: 21
Animal that represents her: Sugar Glider
Favorite Memories: When we learned how to do the “shoot” dance, and our many funny conversations
What I learned from her: Nicole has taught me the importance of asking questions and how good that is for you and the people around you. I have also learned how to chase after God relentlessly by the way she wants to pursue a relationship with the Lord.
Nicole has a super fun spirit about her. She is a crazy awesome leader and follower of Christ and she doesn’t even know it. I loved every moment of laughter and fun I had with Nicole in Panama. I am so blessed to know Nicole.
I love these people so much!
