As our 70 passenger bus pulled through the gates of our ministry site in Nsoko, Swaziland, I saw the Carolina Blue church, and I immediately knew that this month was going to be promising. Why? Because God’s favorite color is Carolina Blue. I grew up bleeding Carolina Blue, so I couldn’t help but say, “Go Tar Heels!” as we got off the bus. As we sat through orientation about our ministry for the month, all I could think of was the funniest, most caring, encouraging and loving human I believe I will ever meet – Ken Whitaker (also a die hard Tar Heel). All of the incedible qualities that my dad embodies floated through my head… how blessed I am to call Ken my dad.
This month is all squad month! My squad consists of 56 beautiful, Christ-fearing people who are split into 8 teams with 7 people on each team. Instead of the 8 teams being scattered amongst the country for the month, we are together at the same ministry site, however we go with our team of 7 people to a specific carepoint for ministry. All 60 of us (56 first time world racers, 3 incredible squad leaders, and 1 amazing mentor) all share 2 long drops (‘restrooms’) that are about a football field walk away, 2 sinks inside the house that some of the teams are staying in, 1 kitchen, and 2 showers (outdoor bucket showers). There are 3 teams sleeping inside of the Carolina Blue church (that’s where my team is), 2 teams plus the squad leaders and our mentor that are in the house, and 3 additional teams that are camping outside.
Living in such community, God has really been showing me pieces of myself that need work, while also using others to speak my identity in Christ over me. Looking at these affirmations, I began asking myself, “Where did I learn this?”… they all point back to Ken and Joni Whitaker. These two humans that I get to call my parents instilled values and morals inside of me that I can only dream of doing the same for my own kids one day.
I am practicing a lot of patience this month. My teams’ carepoint consists of about 7 children and a go-go (grandmother). It’s easy to feel useless, especially when you are only there for 5 hours a day, 3 days a week. However, Ken and Joni taught me to be patient. Even though when they taught me this virtue, it was when I sat patiently watching the caterpillar that we captured to burst out of its’ chrysalis, or sitting quietly while waiting for my brother’s dentist appointment to end. Ken and Joni planted that seed inside of me. It’s super cool to see how it’s grown inside of me. I now see patience as more than just sitting still; patience is choosing to sit in His presence during the testing times.
Something else that I am learning this month is viewing others through God’s eyes. Living in such grand community filled with so many different personalities, odds are, people will rub you the wrong way. The test is how you respond. Last week I asked God to help me through this. He told me that when I become annoyed with someone, to ask God how he sees them. I daily ask God to see my squadmates the way that He sees them. I want to get to know them and love them how the King of Kings loves them. Ken and Joni taught me the importance of showing love and intentionality. Whether it was showing love to my brothers by helping them clean their room or showing intentionality by noticing that my mom needed help washing the dishes and asking her if I could help… my parents set examples of how to love and how to show love.
Even though this month our ministry is somewhat slow, I’ve realized that that doesn’t mean there is no fruit being produced. I’m reminded of the values and morals that Ken and Joni instilled inside of me and God is telling me to continue to sharpen these values by holding myself to a higher standard. To not choose the easy path, but instead, challenge myself in all aspects of my life (physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally). As I am ministering this month, I’m reminded of the blessing that my parents are to me and I pray that I am able to help plant a few of these valuable seeds in others while also sharing the Gospel with them.
