What is Poiema?

I’ve been working hard to put together a video introducing
everyone to the six of us that make up my team for the next thirteen months –
but my video editing program just won’t cooperate. In the meantime, I offer up
a (very) brief intro to each of my girls and promise to try to have the video
together by the end of the weekend!

 

Team Name: Poiema

 

Biblical Reference: Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

 

In the original manuscripts of the New Testament, the word
used for workmanship is poiema. Poiema is a Greek word, meaning “masterpiece”.
Each of the six lovely ladies on my team is God’s masterpiece, and He is weaving
our lives together for the next year to create an equally amazing masterpiece.

 

Without further ado… Team Poiema

(you can click on each one’s name to get to their blog and find out more about them!)

 

 

Age: 22

Home: Little Rock, Arkansas

Amanda has a bright, beautiful smile, and a sunny
disposition that is completely infectious. She brings a light heart to many
situations, which completely balances me and my serious, introspective
tendencies. I look forward to a lot of smiles and laughter with this girl.

 

 

 

Age: 27

Home: Charlotte, North
Carolina

 

Emily is passionate about her faith, and being around her
stirs up my passion. She’s not

willing to settle for lukewarm, sloppy seconds…
she wants what God wants for her, and is willing to seek it out above all else.

 

 

 

 

Age: 27

Home: Dayton, Ohio

 

Janet’s both a gentle spirit and a fierce prayer warrior.
God has gifted her with the amazing ability to pray what is on all of our
hearts, and to do so in a way that ministers, breaks down walls, and restores.

 

 

 

Age: 42

Home: Detroit, Michigan

 

Kim was the one
January 2010 racer I got to meet before training camp. We met up
for lunch while I was on a short missions trip to Dearborn,
and became fast friends. Her heart for children just blows me away, and I can’t
wait for the chance to love on the least of these with her next year.

 

 

 

Age: 25

Home: Brighton, Michigan

 

Lauren is our team leader, and completely random… I
absolutely love not knowing exactly is going to come out of her mouth besides
the fact that it will make me laugh. God’s given her crazy awesome leadership
skills, including the ability to listen and incorporate everyone’s opinion into
her decision making process.

Yes, this is an all-women’s team. There is one other all-women’s team on my squad – Arete – and one on the other January 2010 squad. Being on an all-women’s team will be challenging, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has put this team together, and incredible things are going to happen in and through us as we travel the world together next year.