I’m in Africa.
Africa.
Everything is new and different. New continent, new culture, new language, new ministry, a huge time change, (hello jet lag), and new team.
Going into the Race, you know that team changes are going to happen. The chances of you being on the same team the whole time are very very little. Actually, I’m not even sure that’s a thing. So when word spread that team changes were happening at debrief, it was no surprise. But even though it wasn’t a surprise, I was a little anxious about it.
Community was one of the things that freaked me out the most about the World Race. Living with the same people, spending every moment of every day with them, it terrified me. But there was such a big part of me that craved it, though I didn’t know why. The whole being vulnerable, letting people in, giving and receiving feedback, spending the good days and the bad days together, sharing things (clothes, food, shampoo…everything and anything)….it seemed so foreign to me.
Before the Race I had lived with people, but the difference was I always had my own room to go to at the end of the day. I had a car that I could hop in and take a drive whenever I wanted to. I could go visit my family and friends at any point. So while I was living in community, there was still so much freedom. But with that freedom, there was also freedom to distance myself from people. I could keep hidden the parts of myself that I wanted to. When I needed an escape, some time to myself, I got it. When I needed a getaway, I went somewhere. When I needed alone time, I would disappear into the privacy of my bedroom.
The past four months though, I’ve experienced a different kind of community. I spent every single day with the same five people. We started the days together, ended them together, and spent all the time in between together. And you know what? I absolutely loved it. It’s hard for me to imagine life any other way. “Privacy” has taken on a whole new meaning. There was rumor that when on the Race, alone time meant putting in your headphones and closing your eyes… I can verify that that is in fact true. Most days my “alone time” is spent with people
There is something really beautiful about living in a community of people who love you for who you are. Who accept you for your past and who you are today. Who genuinely want to know you and be there for you, whatever that looks like. I’m learning that it looks different for everyone! To be around people who are constantly encouraging you, asking how you’re doing, and always pointing you closer to Jesus. To be in a place of vulnerability, where you can choose to trust those around you completely and allow walls you’ve built up to be broken down. To be able to let people see the parts of you that are usually kept hidden. To allow them to see your fears, weaknesses, insecurities and struggles. And to be given the opportunity to love those around you and love them well.
Team Trust Without Borders became my family. I’m forever grateful for the four months that I got to spend with them. God did so much in me during those four months and used my teammates to encourage me, pour into me, and push me along the way when I needed it. The people on team Trust Without Borders constantly showed me what the love of Jesus looks like.
As we had our final debrief as a team in Antigua, Guatemala, I sat in a circle with my team and just sat in awe. As the squad leaders, squad mentor and coaches asked us questions to reflect on our time together, my heart was smiling so big. I could look around the room and know that I was loved by every person sitting next to me. It may have taken me a little longer, but I opened up to these people, I let them in. And it was so cool sitting their with them knowing that each of them have my back. They know what I struggle with, they know my insecurities, they know that I don’t like steak, they know that I haven’t seen most movies, they know my love for coffee, and they know that I hate to be tickled (which definitely encourages the tickling). They know when something is on my mind but I’m not saying anything, they know I’m clumsy, that I love to play in the rain, and that I’m not a morning person. They know me.
I praise Jesus for allowing me to be a part of Reid, Andy, Allison, Beth, and Kelsey’s lives, and that they are a part of mine. I praise him for all the laughs, the inside jokes, the tears, the hugs, the pillow fights, the hard days of shoveling dirt all day together and the relaxing days of sitting as a team crammed around the laptop watching episodes of The Office together.
While I do miss my teammates I am excited to introduce you to my new team, Team Limitless. You will recognize two of them, as I am still on a team with Andy and Kelsey! My other teammates are Shara, Lauren, Rachel, and our team leader is Troy. I’m pumped about this team. I think God is going to use this new team to challenge each of us and grow us in new ways. I have loved the short few days I have spent with them already and am looking forward to see what God has for us in days to come.
Here are the links to their websites:
Troy Troysmouse.theworldrace.org
Andy Andywhite.theworldrace.org
Kelsey Kelseykirkpatrick.theworldrace.org
Rachel Racheltart.theworldrace.org
Shara Sharaperry.theworldrace.org
Lauren Laurensigmon.theworldrace.org
Also it is worth noting that Allison and Reid were both raised up, Allison is now a team leader and Reid is a squad leader! It’s such a proud sister moment for me for the both of them. They both have played a huge part in my life the past few months. It has been so cool to see the both of them grow more and more into who they were made to be as they grow closer to Christ. These two have made me laugh constantly, they have challenged me in my walk with Jesus, they have encouraged me, empowered me, and loved me well. I know that God is only going to keep growing them, molding them, and using them on this squad in different ways. These two are world changers!
Thank you so much for reading and for your many prayers. Next blog I will share more about what we are doing here in Zambia. Today was our first day of ministry and it was only an orientation kind of day so we are only getting started. Our main ministry will be working at a preschool in the mornings and doing sports ministry in the afternoon. I’ll know more of what that looks like and what it entails in the days to come. Again, thanks for taking the time to read this post and thanks for investing in myself and my team, both TWB and Limitless! It means so much to us.
Much love,
Kaci
P.S. I hoped to add some pictures but no such luck. Hopefully next time!
