I remember distinctly six months ago at training camp, sitting on this wooden platform looking out at 41 faces I knew merely as names. With wide eyes and hearts that had no idea what they were getting themselves into, I shared with them about my life and my own race experience. It was a pivotal moment for our squad, that training camp night. It was the first time we bonded as a family and played ‘WA!” for hours underneath the AIM tent. Something clicked that night as a group and the family began.
Here I am, six months after that first meeting, having just left those people who are family. Just hours ago I sat in a plastic chair and looked out at those same 42 pairs of eyes. This time, however, they weren’t names and personality tests on paper. They are stories of victory, brokenness, redemption, and most of all…stories of people who I love. And I mean, I love.
This time as I faced them, I got to listen as they showered me with encouragement, prophecy, and their favorite memories from my time out there. Rarely have I felt so loved. As people were sharing, I kept asking God that He would allow me to bottle up that moment, so I wouldn’t forget a single word, laugh, or tear.
My final day out here with them was one for the books. It was just one of those days where everything was amazing. Before my love fest, the day started with an epic football game between our guys. The girls cooked a massive feast that left trays of food untouched by the end of the night. All of us sat outside, looking out on the desert behind us, and feasted as a family on turkey, stuffing, potatoes, apple crisp, and so much more. Ridiculous squad games were played together and a dance choreography was learned. I found myself laughing at times so hard my breath couldn’t even come. It was that kind of day; the perfect way to close this whole journey out.
As I write this, I’m awaiting board for my final flight back to America. I’m still in shock that my time with them is completed. But I know this is good and that God’s timing is perfect. And I know that what is best for them now is to move forward and grow out here on the field with new leaders. It is that understanding which makes it so much easier to graciously step out.
In the last few hours since I left them, my mind hasn’t stopped running at rapid speed with memories, faces, and laughs. To make missing of them not as tortuous, I’ll sit here until I board, and look over my scrap book of 42 pages of people and pictures who have impacted my life. And really, on the night of Thanskgiving, there is no group of people I could be more thankful for…nor believe in any more… than I do this family.
