Something we’re told to do frequently on the World Race is to “release expectations.” I made the grave mistake of only applying that ideal to the countries and ministries we would be involved in. As a squad, we’ve already faced a fair amount of route changes and ministry adjustments. We’ve handled the transitions with grace and ease, priding ourselves with being “flexible”. Of all the changes we were ready to face, nothing could quite prepare our hearts for the change that would soon strike our Y-Squad community.
Living in community is a large part of the World Race. People who were once compete strangers become family, sometimes a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. You live life with them 24/7, sharing memories, joys, struggles, clothes, and peanut butter. The last thing you expect is to be laying in bed, wearing your former teammate’s tank top, trying to hold back tears as you explain what it was like to say goodbye… on month 7.
That night, I didn’t lose just one, but two of my teammates. In fact, I lost a total of 4 squadmates. The very people I was living life with, growing deeper with, and investing my heart into were suddenly gone in a matter of hours.
I was flooded with many emotions ranging from anger to deep sadness. Anger – because I’m tired of heartache. I’m tired of loving people so intensely only to be suddenly ripped from my life. I’m never expecting it, but then it happens. And it’s never been any less painful.
Earlier that morning, I wasn’t thinking of losing two teammates, I was thinking about my insatiable craving for McDonalds. I knew that I would stop at nothing until I found a MickeyD’s large fry with a cheeseburger predominately covered by bread. Of all the squadmates at the ministry site, I knew I could bank on one girl to crave junk food and be pumped for a spontaneous culinary adventure: Taylor.
I ran through the living space, stepping over sleeping pads and miscellaneous squad-things to make my way to her. She looked up from her phone with her bright, blue eyes as I presented the offer.
“SooOOOoo, would you like to accompany me on a run to McDonalds?!”
She laughed. “Is there even a McDonalds close by?”
I paused. “To be honest, I didn’t think about that part. I figured we would just hop in a trike and say ‘Take us to McDonalds’ and we’d eventually make it there”
She laughed again. “I’d love to go, but I don’t have any pesos.”
I quickly dismissed it and said it wasn’t a problem. As I turned to walk away, I felt the Lord nudge me. You should take advantage of every moment you have with her.
I thought it was a strange thing for Him to say, but I didn’t question it.
I turned back around. “Hey Tay, don’t worry about it. I’ll cover you. Wanna leave in 10?”
After we gathered our things, we walked to the end of our rocky road and hailed a trike.
“Um. Can you take us to McDonald’s?”
“Yes yes.”
We both looked at eachother with big grins. YESSSSSSS.
We hopped in the trike and headed down the streets of Bulacan. We had the most incredible time talking about the most random things – like our favorite childhood books: Rainbow Fish, Are You My Mother, and Goodnight Moon. We kept talking and laughing until we saw the golden arches. (Part of me wishes this entire experience could have been video taped. We were way too excited for this).
When we arrived at the McDonald’s, we both struggled not to order the entire menu. We talked through all of our possible decisions – large fries, coke, and cheeseburger? Or McFlurry? Would you judge me if I got 3 different entrees?! We continued to laugh and enjoyed the excitement of every moment we were there. We left McDonalds with more than food, we left with a memory I will never forget.
The truth is, you don’t know how long someone’s going to be in front of you. We aren’t promised tomorrow: we’re promised today.
I’m so incredibly thankful that I didn’t miss out on that opportunity with Taylor. When the squadleaders pulled our team aside to inform us that 2 of our teammates were going back to the States, including Taylor, I knew our McDonalds moment was Divinely orchestrated. They were scheduled to leave the next morning. I wouldn’t have had another opportunity to invite her for a spontaneous culinary adventure.
I’m glad I chose to love.
Take advantage of every opportunity you have with the people around you. You never know when it will be your last.
