Wow, it’s been a while.
I was only able to post one blog last month, because my team and I were in the literal bush on the coast of India and the nearest WIFI spot was an hour and a half away. So, I guess I could catch you all up on what’s happened.
First of all, India was incredible but also one of the toughest months. I won’t go into much detail but basically, we were in one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever been, literally on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. We taught English and P.E., preached, and worked with our hands a lot. The country and the people are so colorful and amazing, and yet, India is its own world and there are just frustrations that come with that. (also, head over to my facebook account to see a team video we made!)
Later, after a couple hour bus ride, a 13-hour sleeper train ride (one heck of an experience), canceled and delayed flights, and one more bus ride, we made it to Kathmandu, Nepal for debrief. Debrief was a period of five days for rest, and our leadership also flew out to meet us and help us process the previous month(s). We also had team changes!!
The past four months, I’ve been the Team Leader for Rakhma Rua, and it was one of the best times of my life. I can’t describe how much I learned and grew and how much fun we had serving and traveling together. But, things change and that includes World Race teams. So, without further ado, please meet:
Team Deepa
We found or team name on a street sign (seriously) and were joking around before we really started to get down to what we all want out of these next several months. The thing we want more than anything is to go deeper. Deeper with God, with each other, with others… We want our faith and our service to be more than surface level. On top of that, deepa also means lamp, or light, in Hindi.
Left to Right: Emilie Blomberg, Nate Wasnich, Me!, Michael Williams, Lauren Bell, Emilie McNatt
Team Members:
Michael – Team Leader
Enneagram: 3
Love Language: Physical Touch
Michael is one of the most joyful people I’ve ever met. I got to know him over the last four months as we were the only two male Team Leaders during that period, and I’ve seen the humility, power, and strength that he has led with and am so excited to spend the next several months really pouring into each other.
Emilie B.
Enneagram: 5
Love Language: Words of Affirmation
Em has been and will continue to serve as a logistics coordinator for our squad and continues to show the amazing knowledge, wisdom, and authority God has given her. She walks in such a peace and sense of humor, and I’m really excited to get to know her better and see her walk in the incredible gifts she has.
Emilie M.
Enneagram: 8
Love Language: Physical Touch
Our team storyteller, Emilie is one of the most likeable people I know. She walks in such discernment, and her stories and laughter are infectious. She has an amazing ability to bounce between being serious one minute and dropping a joke the next, and can always brighten a room.
Nate
Enneagram: 8
Love Language: Quality Time
Our squad Director of Fun (yes, that’s a thing and yes, it’s important), I’ve spent the past four months getting to know Nate when we were on Rakhma Rua, and I’m pumped to dive even deeper over the next four. Nate walks in such a unique blend of humor and strength, and God has given him an incredible mind that he uses to really process things and call others higher.
Lauren B.
Enneagram: 9
Love Language: Words of Affirmation
Lauren is the real thing. She’s not afraid to call you higher and has an amazing spirit of both love and honesty. She usually has a smile on her face, relates to people so well, and always points you back to God. I’m so excited to learn from her and see where God calls her over these coming months.
These are the people I’ll be traveling, serving, and doing life with over the next four months of the Race and I couldn’t be more excited to see what God has in store for us.
“Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” Psalm 42:7
God Bless!
-Ben
P.S. This month we are working in Kathmandu with children and women at risk through teaching, sharing testimonies, sports, and more.
More updates to follow!
