I turn 26 today (Well on the 20th, I may have forgotten to post). It is interesting to think about this last year of my life and shake my head at where I am sitting now. My thirteenth Birthday was spent in Nicaragua which was my first mission trip, my first time out of the country and the year I knew missions would be a big part of my life. Thirteen years later, here I am in the Philippians getting to spend a month combining my love of teaching and missions in the same capacity. What a blessed year 25 was, but what a growing and unforeseen year as well. This journey has not been what I expected and I can only hope that the Lord will continue to surprise me in new and personal ways for the years to come.
A few of my squad mates were sweet enough to offer their own experience of what it has been like to live and work with me as well as their own journey of community. Community has been one of the most Christ revealing aspects of the Race for me whether that be from home, here or reflection on future community which is why I asked for some different perspective and comments from some people I am currently in the trenches with.
“One thing I’m still learning about living in community is the drastically different ways in which people receive and deal with information. At home, most of my friends think like me, and we chose to be friends. On the World Race, you don’t have a choice in who you’re with, and there are lots of different viewpoints and ways people communicate. I’m still learning how to better communicate with people in a loving way even if they don’t think like I do. The ways they communicate aren’t wrong, just different based on their experiences and personality. “
Jessica Akland – Squad Leader
Jessica really hit the nail on the head. This is a daily task that we are all trying to navigate each and every day. Throwing in obstacles like heat, close quarters, and different viewpoints increasing reveals our need for continued pursuit of Christ and His sanctification in our actions and thought processes.
“I haven’t been on a small team with you but since 3 teams served together in the Philippines, it’s close!! I’ve had the pleasure of serving with you at the Elementary school and I must truly say, being able to serve alongside you, in that capacity and watch you fully immersed in the gifts and talents the Lord has given you, made my entire heart smile! I absolutely love watching you do ‘your thing’TEACHING: something that you’re very confident about ( and if you’re not- I sure couldn’t tell)! You have taught me, in this short period of time by being your squad mate the balance of assertiveness and love! Your directness and love with the teachers and children is a beautiful gift unfolding before my eyes and I am excited to see the impact you’ll make once we are done with our time in Manila. You don’t back down but make sure everyone is heard. You are confident in your abilities and make sure they are being shared with the world!! It’s so GREAT!!!”
Meyuna Shephard – Squad Mate
I wish that I could paint a better picture for you of how this quote from Meme about me shows what an incredible person she is! Meme volunteered to go to the school with me everyday to make sure that the 6th graders there were able to receive math tutoring 4 times a week. Volunteers are very transient through our current ministry and the Elementary School wasn’t the most glamourous job this month but Meme heard about the need and she was willing to step in which gave the kids such a beautiful model of dedication and consistency. The tutoring was right through lunch and even with several risks of running out of food before we returned, Meme never missed an afternoon and did it with the most joyful smile. Not to mention being willing to come and be a part of a quite comical demonstration with me during a teacher training. What a blessing she was for me this month!
It is clear to see how Meme’s heart is reflected in her comments on community… “just sit with people! Sometimes the best connection doesn’t have to be through words but in presence of just being there!”
“The biggest thing I have learned on the race is complete surrender to the Lord. Learning what it’s like to give up control since we don’t really have much anyways and having open hands with Jesus. The race has had so many changes, twists and turns. Backroads, hidden paths, highways and all of them lead to Jesus in one way or another with different routes and lessons. It’s been a hard, but beautiful adventure.”
“Jessie has a way of explaining the Bible that not many people have. She likes to think of things that other people don’t think of and I have seen her open up her heart to a whole new level. She is passionate about stewardship and will probably accept any financial saving challenge you give her. She is joyful in circumstances that don’t merit it and she brings a lot of wisdom to our squad.”
Kalyn Ledford – Previous Teammate from Rapha
“Two months on a team together, seven months on a squad together, and such a sweet friend. Jessie is patient, loyal, and kind and cares well for others. She has incredible self-control that I long to have as a quality used to describe myself. I am beyond thankful for her and the influence she has had on me in such a short amount of time.”
Morgan Rubosky – Current Teammate from Brushed with Glory
I think both of these teammates would agree with Kalyn to say that this adventure has been quite the journey. Some months things seem easy and you are able to be supportive and come alongside your team well and others, you humbly pull them up to the top bunk and ask them to cry with you and have to ask for what you need. Vulnerability and communication is hard and some days are better than others. Realizing that striving for unity in the body of Christ is more important than your own temporary comfort is a difficult but necessary pill to swallow. Messy, hard, beautiful, Biblical. Are the conditions in which we live, with usually 3 to 16 people in a room together, no alone time and constant input real life? No. Will community ever look like this again? Probably not. Does it force things that you may have never had to deal with otherwise? Yes. Is it worth it? I will let you know….
