I am now in Panama City with Aaron, Krystle, and Christie. I arrived Saturday morning very early on an overnight bus from Costa Rica.
My squad is different from any previous squad. We have been out for 8 months without being separated from our individual teams. This means that other than debrief times, I have done everything with my team. This is my first extended time without Colleen, Kyle, Sarah, Lindsey, and Danny. I feel like a part of me is missing. It is like reality is hitting early and I am glad that I get to be around some of my squad members while adjusting.
I would like to point out that when I left to come to Panama, I did not think I would miss my team. I miss them so much. I am amazed at how the 6 of us work so well together in ministry settings. I miss the fact that when I do something, people understand me. My teammates know about my afterthoughts, my sleeping habits, my eating habits, the things that irritate me, and things I do not even know about myself. I miss them and I can’t wait to see them in a week. I can’t wait until I can get a huge hug from Sarah and Colleen and talk to them. So the rest of the blog will tell you what I miss individually about each person.
Sarah: You have grown so much this year. I love the fact that you just love people. This was shown so much in Cambodia, you loved the children at the slums when I was just out of my comfort zone and so unsure of myself. You taught me more than you can imagine watching your interaction with people. I struggle with change and you have shown me that change is a good thing. I miss the fact that you like random hugs and you have shown me how to truly love people. I even had a dream about you the other day and about getting a great hug from you.
Kyle: You are an amazing man of God. I have enjoyed your long devotions, even if I don’t look like it. The Saturday morning devotion shows me how much you have grown and what you are learning each week. I love how you truly love the people we are with. I loved to see you work with Sherman and his family in the Philippines. You would have given your life to help him out and we need that in a team. I love the fact that I have had to work the hardest on our friendship. I enjoy whenever we get to talk.
Colleen: I am sorry I missed your birthday. You are so amazing. I love watching you just love people. Your ability to minister to people is amazing. I loved watching you in China and how your evangelism gift came out. I am horrible about telling people about God, but you are great at it. I wish I could just strike up a conversation like you do and get to talk about God. You are teaching me how to tell people about the God we love so much. Colleen I miss talking to you about anything and I can’t wait until you hug me when I get back, you were in my dream with Sarah.
Danny: You are an amazing leader. You care so much about each of us so much. You want to see us grow and change. You lead us in a way I don’t even understand. You look at each of us and expect greatness. Our team would not be the same without your leading us and teaching us. I loved you in Mozambique. You love preaching and it is your strength. I loved getting to listen to each sermon that you spent so many hours on. God will use you in this in great ways later on in life. I loved when you asked me to swing in the Philippines and instead of sitting on the swing, we danced. I love that we can just be ourselves and just laugh in the moment that things happen. I think you are teaching me to be relaxed and just go in the moment.
Lindsey: You are so great. I love watching you change so much. I have enjoyed getting to see you with children. You are destined for children’s ministry. I loved watching you in Mozambique and Philippines at the orphanages. I love your gentle and quiet spirit. You are just there waiting for each of us to make a decision. You care for people in ways I can’t even imagine. You have such a huge heart and I love that about you. Thank you for just being you and for your friendship.
We are team LESS. Less is more. We are six individuals that have grown this year. Team LESS is my family. They remind me a lot of my family back home. I love my parents, my sister and her husband, and my brother and his wife. The thing is, I get annoyed with them. I will never quit loving my family back home and I will never quit loving my team LESS family. I love you guys and I miss you so much. I miss the fact that we are spontaneous and take on challenges that no one else is willing to. I love that my team is laidback. We arrived in China with no ministry and faced the challenge. The way my team reacts to stress is the thing that has taught me the most this year. I can’t wait until I can see each of you on Sunday.
