Agape, the team of 7 people I am on, has had its fair share of struggles while on the race. Agape is compiled of 4 girls – Taylor, Grace, Daven and I – and 3 guys – Shane, Nick and Ben – and we couldn’t be more different. We have very little in common and the first month of the race was, well, incredibly difficult being a part of this team. This is a letter to the three guys on Agape:
Dear Nick, Shane, and Ben,
Last week during feedback, all three of you apologized for not treating the girls on our team as we should be treated as daughters of Christ. You all said you would change how you treat us. It was sincere, and each of us appreciated it.
The very next day was your birthday, Nick. You three had been telling us to show up at your house at 6:30 for Nicks birthday, so the Agape girls and the six girls of Vessel, our sister team, got dressed up to show up at a birthday party.
As we were walking to your house, we noticed the sidewalk lined with flowers and thought that was pretty weird for a 21 year old guys birthday party.
Once we got to the door, we found the note that said something along the lines of, “Find your notes and enjoy the drinks.”
As we walked inside, the lights were off, candles were lit, and each girl had three letters, two flowers, and a pineapple full of smoothie sitting on the counter for us.
You three walked in a few minutes later and explained to us what was going on.
You told us that at the end of the race, you didn’t want us to leave being thankful we were away from you. You want our standards to be high for the man that will one day pursue us, because if our friends are willing to treat us this way, how much more will a man trying to win our hearts need to do.
Nick, for your birthday, you chose to honor 11 women and that alone is incredible.
You all told us you spent all day running around town buying pineapples and flowers and writing letters to us and praying over us.
The three of you walked around the room for 10 minutes or so and explained the letters to us in detail, causing many of us to tear up.
Once Vessel left and only Agape remained at your house, you prayed over us and told us that you wanted us to feel fully loved by you. You told us things you see in us that is worth praising. You made me feel seen, heard, and truly loved.
After talking about the letters you wrote us, you brought out buckets of water and washed our feet. You three took the time to uplift Taylor, Grace, Daven and I, and went so far as to wash our dust-covered feet in Christ’s name.
You three have heard His calling on your life and followed it to Botswana. You heard Him ask you to go, and you went. You have been called to minister to the people here, and that includes your teammates – the people Christ has given you as family for these nine months. Thank you for listening to His voice and acting on it. The highlight of my time so far in Botswana was this night you honored us. It set a beautiful example of how to love each other, and I am incredibly thankful for it.
Thank you for being men of Christ. It has been amazing watching Jesus work in your hearts and reveal who He is to you. Keep listening; you’re changing lives.
I love you three,
Hailey
