At the beginning of our time in Panama I was anxious about being on the coed team. Before coming on the Race, I had never had a guy friend before and I was unsure what it would look like for me to have relationships with the godly brothers on my team. For the first week in Panama I kept to myself a lot not really bothering to connect with my team because I thought I was way too outgoing and high energy for my team. As time went on I realized I needed to repent of my sour attitude about my team. Instead of wishing my team looked different I sought to celebrate the strengths of my team. We are six very different individuals in personality and in gifting. I can honestly say I have learned so much from my team in the past 3 weeks. I love learning how my teammates experience intimacy with the Lord and it challenges me to know God in new ways. I love hearing how my teammates process their emotions and it has expanded my way of how to process my own emotions. I love how my team displays different attributes of who God is and how I’ve been able to encounter God in new ways these past 3 weeks. I’m happy to be a part of the Freedom Fighters team and I’m excited to see what God has in store for us as a team.
Each of us wrote a description about one of our teammates on the Freedom Fighters:
Carter:
Carter is the big brother of our team because of his nurturing, kind, protective, and tender heart. His heart for the Lord and to know the Lord more deeply is encouraging to me. He is a positive contribution to this team for his intentionality with us and desire to create unity within our team. When Carter is in one of his goofy moods he tells really funny stories and can come out with some amazing dance moves. Carter is an amazing man of God and it’s a joy to have him as a part of Freedom Fighters.
Chelsea:
Chelsea is loving, kind and always intentional with the people around her. She always knows how to start a conversation and create good community and a safe place where you feel heard. I love her desire to get to know everyone deeply. Even though she always says that she is introverted she can be super loud. We all love her teacher voice. 🙂 Chelsea is also adventures, loves to have fun and is a great irish dancer. If you don‘t know what I‘m talking about, check her facebook and you will know. She is also known for her RJF (Resting Joy Face) which shows her joyful personality. We‘re thankful to have her on our team.
Lyle:
Lyle is one of our teammates. He is a very passionate guy and especially when it comes to Jesus. He loves to have theological conversations as well as sitting around and playing games and laughing. He thrives when he is in his natural habitat, that is doing anything outside and anything adventurous. He is very direct in the way he communicates which is nice for us, to help us grow as a team and individually. His obedience and devotion to the Lord is so very clear and ever growing. It encourages us to go deeper with the Lord everyday. He brings something special to this team that is very much needed, just like everyone of us is needed to make up this team. I am blessed that he is apart of this team, The Freedom Fighters.
Tiffany:
If I could describe her in a few words I would say gentle, compassionate, honest and forthcoming. She has been amazing since I first met her. We have talked one on one more than a few times and I am so impressed with her sensitivity to understand and listen to me and others. She is a safe place to come too. She hears from the lord in her own unique way, which is a testament to her that The lord entrusts her with that. I truly believe she cares about others as much as herself. She has experienced life from a different lenses and has a great perspective. Lastly she loves the Lord so much. It is written all over her face when she talks about Jesus. She calls Him her boyfriend. She is awesome.
Jonathan:
Jonathan is a man after God’s own heart. He loves mercy and sees the one lost sheep out of the ninety-nine. He has a desire to grow, is seeking truth, and wanting to know more of who God is. He also has a tendency to wander off. Leaving our team asking “Where is Jonathan?” and you can always catch him with bible, notebook, and a book. The man can dance and I’m prophetically speaking that in the coming months dancing in worship will be a norm for him and he will thrive. His humor is unmatched to anyone and we could charge admission for His one-liners. Thank you Lord for the chance to know your son. He reflects you so well.
Debora:
Debora goes by many names: Debora, of course, Debby, Debs, and Debster (the real one). Debora is our Swiss-German team leader for the Freedom Fighters and she’s freaking amazing! She’s been to 34 different countries and loves Phase 10 more than anyone. What she lacks in her love for weird American quirks she makes up in her love of the team. She intentionally pursues everyone and holds them to a higher standards, especially when it comes to being on time. You know she loves you when she shares her Swiss chocolate with you. She’s funny and fun to be around and our team is blessed to have her with us.
Our team has spent the last few weeks in Panama and it has been a joy to see Deborah in action. Literally in her element at YWAM, she has showed time and time again her ability to lead well by serving us well. Oh yeah if you didn’t know, she loves the Lord.
Prayer request: We are flying from Panama City to Los Angeles to China to Indonesia this coming weekend. The freedom fighters team will be in Ambon, Indonesia working with Wycliffe Bible Translators. I’m really looking forward to being a part of this ministry because this organization has done some incredible things in getting the Bible translated into many languages. Please pray for safe travels, no lost luggage, and that if there are delays they would not get in the way of us making our connecting flight.
