It's no secret that I love to tell stories. So, you would think that when many of my squadmates started sharing their stories, I would be all over that. People have shared stories of brokenness, hurt, abuse, sin, and so much more. It has been really organic and healing, and it all started from someone from another squad sharing her story in a blog. Then, a guy from our squad stood up and shared part of his, and asked the women for forgiveness. Many people began crying and sharing their own stories.
I've totally got this.
Right?
If you know me, you may know my story. It is not as tumultuous as some others, but there is some brokenness in my past. Many of the things I have healed from, so I didn't really feel like I should take the time to share with everyone, when there are others that need to share to be healed.
I even said to one of my squadmates that, in a backwards way, I almost wish I had more craziness in my past so my testimony could be more powerful. I know that is totally backwards, but I realized that I had been listening to lies from the enemy that my story isn't useful or interesting.
I realized the other night, however, that there is incredible power in having a “less crazy” story. One of my squadmates told me that there is power in the fact that I have been able to stay (for the most part) faithful, in a world where that is not the norm. It also gives us the strength to be the shoulder and the ear for those who have had more of a broken past, to facilitate their healing.
What L Squad is experiencing is not the norm for World Race squads. We have been given the opportunity to stay together as a squad for the first month, in order to facilitate emotional and spiritual growth. Usually, the squad will travel together to each country, then split up into our teams that will be living and working all over the country. We have been told that we are a pioneering squad, and many of the things that we do will be implemented with future squads.
With the sharing of our stories of brokenness and pain, it has facilitated a closeness that is often unheard of. There have been many tears, and it has been hard, but the individuals and the group as a whole are so much the better for it. We know each other on a deep level. We understand each other, and therefore are able to better serve one another. We are creating Church. We are living it.
It all starts with one person standing up with boldness and humility. Like a pebble in a pond, the ripples extend outward and affect so many people for the good.
I encourage you to go deep with people you trust. Even if you think that they are not quite all the way there with the trust. Going through this process of openness and healing builds trust in itself. The men and women of L Squad have a bond that runs so deep, even after only being on the Race for 6 days. It is an incredible thing to see the Church in action, right here in Santa Cruz del Quiche, Guatemala. And soon, with our squad, all over the world.
