Hi Friends!
I am officially in Month 5 of the World Race and there have been some big changes! As you know, the past 4 months I have been traveling, living in community, and doing ministry with 5 other awesome ladies and we called ourselves “Vessels of Joy”. In between months 4 and 5 we took a couple of days to debrief all that has happened over the past 4 months. We also had our first round of team changes! It was super sad to say goodbye to the girls that have become my best friends, but I am also so pumped to get to know my new team!
My new team is comprised of 6 other awesome ladies and we call ourselves “Steve”. It seems like a silly name, but its biblical, I promise. In Acts 6 it talks about the 7 men, one of them being Stephen, who were charged with caring for the widows. We talked about how we wanted to be a team who is known for their servant hearts and then Farrah was like, “We could be like Stephen!”. And thus, the team name ”Steve” was born.
Meet my new team!
Farrah: Team Leader
Farrah’s name means “Joy” in Arabic which is pretty dang prophetic. Farrah exudes the joy of the Lord more than any one I’ve ever met! Its really hard to be in a bad mood around her. My favorite thing is when Farah comes up to you, gives you a hug, and says, “Wow, you’re great”. It always renews me and makes me feel like, “YEAH! I AM GREAT!” I am so excited to be led by her.
Adria: Storyteller Leader
The first thing you notice about Adria is how tall she is. The second thing you notice is how she walks in confidence and authority with the Holy Spirit as her guide. She’s also a ridiculously good friend. She always makes you feel safe and loved and I haven’t even known her for very long. If she’s this good a friend now, I am pumped for the months to come!
Malysa: Squad Worship Coordinator
Malysa is talented in so many ways! She is hilarious, she can burp like a man, and she has an anointing on her life in the area of worship leading like no other! I have been learning more and more that worship leading has less to do with the actual music than it does the leading. Malysa cultivates moments in worship where our team and squad can encounter the Holy Spirit, get vulnerable, and find freedom.
Steph: Squad Safety Coordinator
It’s no coincidence that Steph is in charge of the squad’s safety. Not only did she major in criminal justice in college, but she is also the kind of person that just automatically makes you feel safe. Steph wants to grow in loving people through physical touch and, I promise you, our nightly hug before bedtime is one of the best parts of my day!
Calin: Team Beauty For Ashes
Calin was my team leader on my last team and I am pumped we are on the same team again. Calin makes people feel like they are heard and loved! Beauty for Ashes is our women’s ministry where we put on different events in the communities specifically for women. Its purpose is to help women find freedom and come to know that they are heard and loved. I have no doubt in my mind that Cae is going to KILL IT in this position!
Caitlyn: Team Treasurer
Cait is one of those people that just has it together. Sometimes I call her mom, mostly because, as team treasurer, she gives me money for transportation each day, but also because I can just always trust her to have a solution. She’s reliable, focused on the Lord’s will for her, and is HILARIOUS. Turn on some rap music, and her rhythm will shock you.
Me: Team Worship Facilitator
And you know me!
This month is all squad month in Swaziland, which means all 40 of us are living, eating, sleeping in one space! This month I have gotten to use my tent which has been super fun! This month, we are working at the Adventures in Missions Swaziland Base. We have all been split up in to different areas according to our strengths, instead of just doing ministry in our teams. The ministry options are Agriculture, Maintenance, Preschool, Home Visits, Carepoints, Discipleship, and Administration.
This month, I am working in a preschool! My squamate, Eva, and I take the bus every morning to Ngwane Park Preschool where she works with the 5 year olds and I work with the 4 year olds. We help them learn their ABCs, numbers, to write, colors, shapes, animals, bible stories, songs, and so much more! They are the sweetest kids and so eager to learn! Almost all of the lessons are taught in English, too.
Another awesome update is that I AM FULLY FUNDED! It blows my mind that ya’ll helped me raise more than $18,000 and its just such a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness. Thank you so much for being obedient to His Holy Spirit prompting every time you felt called to donate.
Thanks for reading!!
