A week into our month at Go! Ministries, three teams from Gap Year C arrived, day one of their nine month mission trip. Day One! They were all excited and crazy, I was tired and exhausted. But part of our ministry this month was to mentor them.
The morning of the day they were arriving I went into panic mode. I didn’t want to meet them. I feared all my identity issues I struggled with for eight months of the race would reappear. So I did the mature thing and I avoided them for the whole afternoon after they arrived *shakes head*
I didn’t give the Gap Year racers a chance in my mind because they were 18 and 19 they were going to be really immature and very culturally unaware – which is where I struggled most with my squad in those early months.
I was wrong!
In fact a lot of being around Gap Year has helped me deal with acceptance, because I felt accepted by them immediately and I have had some great conversations with some of the squad. As I poured into them they poured back into me, re-energised me to finish strong, to fall in love with Belize like I did with Nicaragua and Guatemala.
I immediately felt a lot of love from them and over the course of the three weeks we lived, ate and ministered together they became family. In fact this family unity was confirmed when six of them came to visit me in the hospital in Antigua – that was such a blessing for me – more than they will ever know.
This is the first time that an #11n11 and a #3n9 squad have been in the same ministry location. What a blessing it was for us and for them. God is so good to have orchestrated that our paths would cross on this race.
I can’t write about everyone, but here are some of the incredible brothers and sisters I got to know this month. I am so excited to continue to follow their journey!
Cole
He was the first person I talked to from Gap Year, in fact he eased my anxiety as we sat and talked throughout our first dinner together and for a while after. I immediately felt like Cole was someone I had known for years, I could tell him anything and we would talk for hours. He is an incredibly encouraging person which is what I needed to finish this race well.
Josh
Despite being American, having grown up outside the US, I found it easier to relate to Josh than some of the others. He is probably the most servant-hearted person I have met whilst I have been on the race – seeking to do whatever he can to serve those around him. I always felt that he had my back plus we watched rugby together and that is always a big winner.
Nik
From sorting out a spider-bite on my arm to letting me steal one of his favourite t-shirts Nik was a good sport about everything! He is an incredible worship leader and I know God is going to grow him in that this year.
Parker
We had a bit of rocky start because Parker would try to imitate my accent and was just way crazier than my levels could handle. He does a neat Scottish accent though. Underneath the camaraderie he has a heart of gold and God uses people who are so willing to be broken and Parker is one of those people!
Bri
Sometimes you just meet someone who has a similar story as you and it creates a strong bond, that happened with Bri and I. I took encouragement from her story and showed her how God had used mine this year and how he is still working in me daily. I love how closely she walks with the Lord and pray that one day we will see each other again.
So Atarah Doves, Half Dozen Disciples and Luminous – run this race well, seek Him every day of your journey and enjoy yourselves! I am so blessed to have been able to spend time with y’all and get to know you! I love you guys!
