The last month in Uganda I had some feelings of not growing as much as I have during the past several months on the Race. My Team BOLD had been together since Malaysia. Four months of being a close family together. We shared the good times, bad times, and everything in between.
We started becoming more like friends than challenging each other to grow at times. We also knew how each other operate well so things we called feedback in May to grow each other in Christ, we didn't do this as much in Uganda, me included.
I was in Jinga, Uganda for our month 8 debrief and we had our team debrief with our squad coaches and our squad mentor. They asked me if we were to change teams what did I think about this?
My response was "I came here for growth, I didn't come here for fun, I want a challenge!" Don't get me wrong I been having fun on the Race! I came here to be a changed man of God and to grow to be the man of God he want me for His glory!
So the last full day of debrief came around and on the afternoon came TEAM CHANGES!!
I saw as teams were being announced I saw excitement from some of my fellow M-squad friends because their good friend was them on a team! When I heard my new team announced I was disappointed even a little bit angry at first.
My first thoughts were:
I'm with the married couple again! I love them but to be honest I wanted to be on the 3-man team like I was the first 3 months of Race!
8 months of growth Lord and now it's this! Ugh!
Did I say the wrong thing Lord?
Did me being honest, open, and realness go too far at team debrief?
I spent time with God afterwards and this time it wasn't Chris Tomlin in the background or Pastor Steven Furtick saying some exciting statement to live the faith instead it was me having a Jesus talk with Jesus! This was the more upset Blake than usual but God can take it he's God who loves us even when were disappointed with the situation!
After this a couple of my friends offered to talk to me about what was going on with me at this time. I first talked to Trever and I told him I felt like I was punched in the gut! He said that's good Blake! He told me about how good my new team was going to be and so on! I was like okay we shall see what the 3 months has for me!
Another one of my good friends Kara talked to me about the situation. We have been very honest, open, and real since we first met and she was my first friend on the Race. Kara is almost 22 but she is wiser beyond her years! So on the bus to session she basically told me to toughen up and she expects better from me because Christ has something greater for me. She did all of this feedback in love.
Trever and Kara are examples of quality friends to have in life because they will tell you things even if they hurt at first but in the end they will help you grow in Christ! I thank God for this in my life!
Since then I have been bonding with my new team great! There awesome and looking forward to the last 3 months of the Race with this family!
We're Relentless Pursuit! We are pursuing after God's Love starting with Him, then our team, and pouring outwards towards our contacts and everyone who we come into contact with on the streets!
Team Photo coming soon!! Here's who is on my new team!
Carrie Morris- Team Leader
Aimee Luallin- Logistics for M-squad
Me- Team Treasurer
Jay Dannelley
Jenn Dannelley
Karen Aiello
Caity Lewis
Three Months left! Let's make the most out of this season and finish the Race strong!
