Dear A Squad…
Posted in General Posts by Grace Buxman on 1/31/2018 gracebuxman.theworldrace.org
*mildly added to by yours truly :)*
Month four of the Race has come to an end, and our second debrief has officially begun here in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
For A-Squad this means team changes are just around the corner—a bitter-sweet time for most.
So,
to whoever gets the wonderful privilege of having one or more of the Agua Viva girls on their new team, here’s a little about each one of us.
Take notes and take good care of every single one of these young [or old] women.
Carolyn: 35, California
INTROVERT!
Give her space when she asks for alone time.
Easily mistaken for an extrovert, but she’s only talking because she got excited by your key words.
Hates being asked to repeat herself, and when people assume things or tell her how she feels.
She does not like cake, or cookies. Also, keep your sacred peanut butter…she doesn’t want any.
Obsessed with Korea. Will find ways to insert Korea into every conversation.
Speaks in parables. Just ask for clarification if you don’t understand.
She can and will sleep anywhere and everywhere.
Is always writing in her journal. If she’s writing while you’re talking, she’s probably not writing anything you’re saying so don’t get worried.
Adventures for Carolyn: Picking stuff up off the ground; Stopping to take pictures – randomly- all the time; Eating ice cream; people watching; journaling; having a day to herself; having intentional one-on-ones with people (she loves hearing people’s stories); walking aimlessly around stores looking at and touching everything.
Signs something is wrong: Stops talking, blank face, will likely walk away.
Important notes: If she sighs, she’s not mad at you. She just forgot to breath.
She’s like a cartoon character…she wears the same outfit in every episode.
Don’t touch her stuff.
Be intentional to get to know her, because she is pretty awesome. She is overflowing with wisdom and has a massive heart. She is one of the safest spaces you’ll ever know, so don’t miss out on getting to know her. She may not seem like she’s a safe space, but she is a REALLY safe space.
If you need a hug, just ask. She will give it to you.
If you need something, don’t be afraid to ask her.
If you catch her eye, give her a big smile. It’ll make her day.
Common phrases: “Sad moments with Carolyn”; Carolyn: *speaks in Korean*, Wendy: “What did you just say?”, Cambodian man: *confused face * ; “I’m feeling some sort of way”; “bougie”; [“its the same thing” (when actually it is not at all)]
Things you will learn from Carolyn: Everything… She has an approximate knowledge of many things; How to give feedback… because she will always ask for it; how to be intentional and dig deep.
Cristina: 32, Florida
Extrovert
Hates all conflict and negativity.
Will not try weird foods.
Guilty pleasures: Oreos; participating in healing prayer with others
Adventures for Cristina: Napping all day, going to a café, having alone time.
Signs something is up: No smiles; says “I’ll talk to you later” or “I have to pray about it”.
Important notes: Will only give positive feedback…it is possible to get constructive/other feedback in a one-on-one setting. When she asks for prayer she means it. Pray right then, right there.
If something is ever wrong, get her chocolate or coffee.
Will not talk before coffee.
If she is trying to figure something out give her space before asking her for information.
Mostly likely person on your team to let you borrow bug spray or lend out medicine.
The most trustworthy person with YOUR money. Not always the most trustworthy with her own purse.
If she says she has to talk about something, pay attention because she has some good stuff to say.
Common phrases: “y’all”; “Skootch your bootch”; “Hey yal! I’m going to cry!” (doesnt cry – ever.).
Please teach her slang… she will attempt to use it. It makes some of the best moments.
Things you will learn from Cristina: When, where, and how to take out your gun; If you need advice, she’s your girl!…she has a lot of experience and a lot of wisdom to share which she doesn’t usually give unless asked for.
How to share anything generously anytime anywhere; her generosity is truly a gift to everyone she’s around!
Grace: 21, Oregon
In-tro-to-the-vert
Doesn’t like sweets…no need to offer them to her.
Doesn’t like to give feedback( because she says she just takes it to the Lord and leaves it there.)
Obsessed with all things adventure and trying crazy foods or creepy crawly things that are usually not considered food.
Drinks water ALL the time. Prefers tea to coffee. Doesn’t like sugar in her tea.
Will love you so much if you make sure she is never without peanut butter.
Commonly joins a group of us and watches and listens to the whole conversation, but will have nothing to say about the topic…thinks she joined the conversation but it was all in her head.
Always joins a trip out to see or do something new. Touches everything she sees because that’s how she enjoys experiencing the things, all the things.
Adventures for Grace: Going on every adventure day outing, especially if it is postcardable; taking photos, entering shops and tasting and touching everything, water-coloring at a café and resting.
Signs something is up: She stops smiling and she walks almost lethargically. She talks less than before…* total crickets *, questions being asked get no response. Her eyes purposely skim past the top of your head when she’s being talked to or she’s responding.
Important notes: Obsessed with all things Pacific Northwest. Will taste EVERY free sample available in a store. Learn to go with her, you will enjoy life so much more. Loves to just be. Be with us, be part of things, be available.
Invite her to everything you’re doing even if you know she’ll say “No thanks!” cause then she will feel loved and you’ll also get to see her big beautiful smile.
[She loves to be girly, and dont let her lose her fuzzy socks. They are a happy Grace starter kit.]
She’s the real O.G. If you need to know anything about the hood or know any slang she’s your girl.
If you want to have a nice relaxed day but don’t want to be alone – spend your day with her. She has a skill for finding awesome food places and planning awesome adventure days.
She says she’s a swim teacher, but hasn’t taught anyone how to swim yet.
Has two facial expressions: smiling and RBF – or in some peoples opinion: the blank stare that cannot be read.
She’s tall and she knows it. You don’t have to mention it.
…And just ask her to get it for you because she can reach it.
She loves to waterpaint and spend time in a café just “chillin’” and it’s a great way to get to know her and her get to know you.
Be intentional to spend time with her.
She will check your head for lice (and she knows what she is doing) if you check her hair (and know what you’re doing).
Common phrases: [“FIRE!”], “Oh you should try my mom’s * insert any food *” with huge eyes that are imagining said food; * insert any slang * spoken for 5 minutes – everyone else: * blank stares *; “what’s up cuddi”; “SLUG BUG!!!” * punches you harder than she intended*
Things you will learn from Grace: How to relish food; how to be patient; how to see beauty in places you never imagined, the beauty of rest; how to enjoy your free time; profound things when you listen and give her space to think her thoughts through, you will see things in scripture you never thought of before no matter how many times you’ve read it before.
Jaivie: 28, New York/California
Super Extra Fuerte Extrovert
Will die if you don’t let her borrow your bug repellent. Seriously, we are not joking!
Is constantly fighting spiritual FOMO.
She is a food sampler… she needs to taste your food and will always ask to eat family style.
Don’t let her take big portions of a single meal because she’ll get bored of the taste and won’t finish it.
Will get salty if anyone forgets her name.
Adventures for Jaivie: Going out for food; shopping for new clothes; being in any place with lots of people that she can talk with and laugh with
Signs something is up: Sassy remarks; spends whole days alone with Jesus
Important notes: She will want to borrow all your cute clothing. Most likely team member to look like a model in the middle of the jungle. Don’t let her buy more clothing unless she has promised to trade it out for something in her pack. If you hear loud talking and laughing, it’s probably Jaivie.
Person most likely on your team to be found in a corner with her bible.
Always cries when she prays or worships. It’s normal…don’t interrupt her.
Shows love with physical touch. Will try to squeeze the cheeks and hug all the babies.
[Least likely person to ask for help. Most likely person to need help.]
Ask her about her poop story.
Common phrases: “I would really encourage you…”, “This is a teachable moment”, uses an absurd amount of slang; “Can you take a photo of me here?”
Things you will learn from Jaivie: What teachable moments are, how to spend time with the Lord/how to grow in intimacy with Him, how to be more vulnerable, how to take your ragged old clothes and look like a NY fashion runway model.
Rhi: 25, Louisiana
Extrovert
Will tear up at the sight of cats and puppies.
Will buy strange foods to try for fun and will hate all of them. Will then give them up and buy food she knows she already likes.
Most likely person to loose their wallet or have it stolen by a monkey a.k.a. least likely to be team treasurer.
Obsessed with all things purple.
Commonly starts conversations with random strangers. Will talk for six hours straight.
Adventures for Rhi: Shopping. Everything she buys WILL be purple.
Signs something is up: Grunts or sighs in disagreement; gives one-word answers.
Important notes: Loves intentional one-on-one time. Loves to share her story, and to hear your story. Loves to fill her time with as many adventures as possible. Is always down to join in on your adventure if you invite her.
Needs to eat the most healthy food possible.
If you think that she’s laughing, she might be crying.
Do not under any circumstances hit Rhi…even to kindly slap a mosquito off her.
Will take selfies everywhere she goes. Offer to take photos for her sometimes.
She is hungry to grow. She takes feedback seriously, so make sure to give it. [She is incredibly vulnerable in feedback – honor that. Learn how to do that too.]
If you randomly hear someone singing worship at the top of their lungs, it’s probably Rhi. Don’t be afraid to join in, even if it means you’ll look like a fool because you’ll have a blast 100% of the time.
Common phrases: “Shoot!”, Laughs uncontrollably at things that may or may not even be funny. Don’t be surprised at the hackling… it just means she really likes whatever she is laughing at. [“That’s what’s up!” * with an extremely surprised and please expression*, “Yo right!”]
Things you will learn from Rhi: She’s a natural evangelist. Take notes from her.
How to be carefree. She’s like a little kid just enjoying life.
Wendy: 24, Washington
Introvert
Says she’s American, but will want to eat Korean food in EVERY country you go to (she has already researched all 11 countries for Korean restaurants she wants to go to).
Hates getting lost.
Will squirm at all physical touch, but will occasionally initiate hugging you. If she offers a hug take it because it’s rare!
Obsessed with coffee, Korean dramas, and spicy food (commonly gets carried away with the hot sauce out of excitement)
Will love you if you get her gummy bears or sour gummy candy – (only Haribo brand will do).
Commonly needs her own space—usually spent at a café—, needs copious amounts of hot sauce, and ramen noodles.
Adventures for Wendy: Going to nice cafés, loves most desserts.
Signs something is up: Closes her mouth and shakes her head, short answers, avoids eye contact, may not talk to you.
Important notes: If she starts hitting you it means she likes you. She likes having a familiar face nearby even when she wants a day alone. She feels loved when people are intentional to spend time with her or do stuff with her.
If Wendy asks for time or space give it to her. She will come and talk to you about it, so you don’t need to try to get it out of her.
She has a deep heart of consideration for other people. Her energy will get drained quickly if you are not considerate.
Let Wendy know that you are going to do the dishes so that she won’t do it every single time.
She is an incredibly generous person, don’t take advantage of it.
If she shares something with you, check up on her about it.
Even though you think she’s going to refuse, make sure to invite her to all group activities.
Don’t move her stuff without asking.
Don’t let her be sorry about stuff she shouldn’t be sorry about.
Common phrases: “I’m sorry”, “you know what?…NO!”, “What?! NOOO!”, loves funny conversation…loves to be made to laugh.
Things you will learn from Wendy: How to be a servant, how to love all things coffee, how to be a loyal friend, how to give feedback that matters.
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Shout out to Jenn Nibbe (http://jennnibbe.theworldrace.org/post/how-to-care-for-your-future-team) for inspiring this blog!
