Over the past 3 months I’ve had the ultimate privilege to live closely with 2 teams of women. Team “Ecclesia” and “Huzzah” have welcomed me in with such grace and excitement. They have let me into their lives as I’ve shared my own messy heart with them. They have laughed and loved me so hard- where the thought of leaving them to head home physically hurts my heart. Next Sunday, I get on a plane to fly home and my squad travels to Thailand for their next 3 months (and Swaziland after that). These 3 months with them have been some of my favorite moments of life so far. Full of joy and growth. In this blog, I wanted to shine a light on my 2 teams and celebrate who they are and where they’re heading in the Kingdom.
Ecclesia— A group of 7 women that could not be more different from each other, but have fought hard to create deep, authentic connection and friendship. Their ministry in Guatemala has been a lot of trusting the Lord with each day. They were put in a small village/ town a mile and a corn field from where we live. they’ve had beautiful vision over the town: friendship and community between the women of the village. They spent days cooking meals with families they’ve met, teaching English to local kids, telling people about Jesus, playing soccer, and many other things in-between. On one of our last days we sat with a woman as she gave her life to Jesus. We’ve watched multiple people be physically healed and have interceded on the behalf of others who we love to know Jesus. It’s been a beautiful ministry that I have looked forward to being a part of since the beginning. It’s been so fulfilling to watch them build community in their village as they’ve built unity within their team at home. Powerful overflow.
Each person brings something so unique to the team and it’s been a joy to watch them share life with each other, in the wildly hard and good moments. They laugh HARD. And there’s been many of nights where we’ve sat together as teammates have cried. I can always count on these women to celebrate me and their teammates. They’ve let go of control, chains of shame, built up walls, and fear of connection and vulnerability. They’ve ran hard after trust, freedom, and intimacy. Some of my favorite things. I’ve loved getting to know a new face of Jesus from each of them individually throughout the past 3 months. I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes them in the months and years to come.
Huzzah— I don’t have enough amazing words to say about this team. I remember them so vividly at Training Camp last August; they were full of love for each other from the beginning. They’re a group of women that you want to know deeply and call each of them your friend. And I have been able to do just that. They have easily given me so much more than I could ever give them. I have trusted them with hard things that I have been walking through and they have held it with such grace and kindness. These 5 women have ministry in the town nearby, called Parramos, where they have loved the people so well. They are full of flexibility and excitement to hear what God is speaking over people and sharing it. I’ve watched in amazement as they share Jesus with such joy that the local listening can’t help but listen with open ears. They get me so excited to go to ministry and join with what God is doing through them in Parramos. Their days are filled with spending time in the local nursing home, gardening, house visits, teaching, and doing alongside the local church.
God sees them and calls them beautiful, completely delighted in. They are a picture of sisterhood and it’s been such a joy to watch them grow and learn from each other and all that comes with living in the same room. Day in and day out- they choose their team. We joke around about how they are never apart and I think I like it that way. They have cheered me on and ask me how I’m doing so often. I have loved being known by them. They are taking the world by force and leading the parade with laughter and joy. if you ever get a chance, have a dance party with them- you won’t regret it.
Both of these teams have let me lead them and walk alongside them in each moment. They’ve given me hard feedback and endless kind words and I couldn’t be more grateful of this. It hurts my heart to know that it’s time to leave them and let them continue on to Thailand, Myanmar, and Swaziland for the next 6 months. But I can’t wait to see them after the journey is done and celebrate all they’ve become and all God has done in their lives.
