Greetings from Medellin (pronounced Med-a-gene), Colombia! After three and a half days of training in Atlanta, we started the journey to Colombia on January 7th at 2:30 AM. We reached our ministry location in Medellin on January 8th at about 3 in the afternoon. In total, we were traveling for over 36 hours straight.
Here’s a quick summary of our day(s):
Left the hotel in Atlanta at 2:30 AM. Flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale (1 hr). Bus ride from Fort Lauderdale to Miami (35 mins). Layover in Miami (15 hours long, y’all). Flight from Miami to Bogota (3.5 hrs). Layover in Bogota (5 hrs + 1 hr delay). Flight from Bogota to Medellin (1 hr). Bus ride with our ministry host from the Medellin airport to Ciudad de Refugio (1 hr).
Most of you know that I am a logistics leader for S squad, along with two of my squadmates. The three of us were in charge of getting our entire group of 43 from a hotel in Atlanta to our ministry location in Medellin, Colombia. I learned so much during these first travel days of the year.
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The importance of not complaining. Would it have been nice to take a direct 5-hr flight from Atlanta to Medellin? Of course. Were we, by taking this route, being good stewards of the money given by our supporters to do the Lord’s work? Also yes. Complaining only lowers moral and sows seeds of bitterness. It also isolates you from others; no one wants to be around someone who exudes negativity.
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The lesson of humility. My bag was lost on the first leg of our journey. It wasn’t at the baggage claim in Fort Lauderdale. I didn’t mind not having my stuff for a few days, nor did the thought of having to replace the things inside faze me. What bugged me was everyone having to wait while I filed a claim. Also, each time a squadmate asked me about my bag I was embarrassed at the attention. In reality, I should have felt grateful that they were concerned for me and wanted to express their support. I heard later that my squadmates prayed my bag would be found. So many girls offered to share whatever I needed, from clothes to toiletries. I’m learning so much about what community means. (My bag was located and eventually made its way to me in Medellin. I can say though that I’m grateful for the lesson in humility that came from a situation I would not have chosen for myself.)
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Not fearing man. As a perfectionist, I try to avoid mistakes and even the appearance of mistakes at all cost. Losing my bag and other minor setbacks that occurred during travel day were hard to stomach. I was afraid that my squad would think I wasn’t right for the position and responsibilities given to me. The Lord taught me through the encouraging words of my squadmates that these thoughts and feelings of inadequacy are lies about my identity that I don’t have to accept.
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Looking out for one another. Lots of chaos happens during travel days, but when we choose to serve and look out for one another, beautiful community is built. S squad already loves each other really well, and each day we get a little better at it.
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Ministry is life. There is no “off day” for ministry. I observed many Kingdom-building encounters during our travel days, from helping strangers through the airport, carrying each other’s physical and emotional burdens, and witnessing to Uber drivers and people in line at Starbucks. My mindset toward what it means to be a true follower of Jesus is shifting.
I’m still working on turning the things I’ve learned into practice. The habits of perfectionism, independence, and negative self-talk will be hard to break. I’m thankful that God knew what He was doing when He placed each person on this squad. The people around me will play a huge part in shaping this year for me through their wisdom, encouragement, and serving hearts.
Recklessly love and be loved,
Em
