Team Go’el: Anna, Jamie, Kevin, Jeffrey, Kristen, me
On the World Race, you live 24/7 with your team. You are rarely away from them and it’s sad when you are. They become
your family. They know if you snore and how often you shower. They call you on your crap and encourage you into greater things. You quickly learn
what food people like and how late they like to stay up.
Last night, I said
goodbye to my first World Race team. After grieving it for two days, I was
ready to move on, but I did promise at the beginning of the month I would write a blog to document the
excellent leadership I was under. It started as somewhat of a joke, but I also want to honor the rest of my teammates.
Captain Jeffrey,
You have made me laugh at the most ridiculous things, like
the time you made that massive sandwich in Brasov and we told you it was
possible to eat. So you proceeded to put the two halves together and squish
them together. No big deal, until you began doing chest compresses on it to flatten it and
yelled, “WE’RE LOSING HIM.” Hilarious.
You were always fun to have conversations with:
Me: I was wondering the other day why the pigeons don’t
ever walk into the stores.
You: Well, they don’t have any money.
In all seriousness though, I have been blessed to be under
your leadership. You have taught me so much and always pointed me back to
Christ. My love and unending quoting of 1 Corinthians 13 has reminded me to always
believe the best in people which started with a short conversation in Albania with you.
Every time I’ve needed someone to talk to you have been there to listen and always
compassionately gave advice. God loves
you not that you are lovely but that you might be. And he loves you not
that you are a good soccer player but that you might be one day. I’m so proud
of you and what you’re going to do for our squad in the coming months.
Kooky Kristen,
I will miss your sweet servant-heart and your obsession with
Activia yogurt. You always have a story to share about your families and I’ll
miss hearing them. I’m so glad you are committed to the race and you are
fighting for what you want out of it. I know God will honor that drive in you.
Thanks for handling all our money and always being prepared to hand it out at
the most random of times.
Jubilant Jamie,
I’m so excited to have one of the original Go’el girls still
with me. I don’t have to miss your infectious belly laugh or Southern accent. We
still get to have ridiculous times together where we can’t stop laughing for hours. You are always such a joy to serve with and we will conquer India together!
Adorable Anna,
Your sweet presence will certainly be missed. Your boldness
in feedback is something to be admired and I’ve loved getting to watch you grow
in it. I love your passions and the way you talk about them. I’m so proud of
you and know you are going to do great as a team leader with your new team; they
are blessed to have you.
Kickin Kevin,
Our friendship has blossomed this month and I’m so blessed
to have you as a brother. We get to continue taking walks and cracking jokes on
our new team. Your diligence as logistics has been impressive and I know I
could trust you with anything. Thank you for loving me the way you do.
Today ends the first season of the World Race. We are
leaving Europe and embarking to India with a new team. I’m so excited for what
God has for us next. I will introduce my new team soon.
