With only 30 days left of this crazy journey, I’ve decided to write 30 things I’ve learned from the 30 incredible people I’ve been traveling with. Here’s to the number 30!
Adriana Ernst: Use your gifts to bless others
Dre is a phenomenal photographer and has been using her skills over the course of the race to bless others. She’s taken photos for families who have never had a picture of their family before, and I can almost guarantee that every person on our squad has used at least one of her photos!
Alexis Gilgrist: Have a yes spirit
She rocks at being a treasurer and said yes to training and leading those who became treasurers on the field when the rest of us left the role!
Amanda Cadenhead: Pray without ceasing
When I think of a prayer warrior, Amanda immediately comes to my mind. I never left a conversation with her without her asking how she could pray for me, then following up about it when we were back together!
Breier Sanders: Walk with spiritual swagger
You know, the kind that says my confidence comes from the Lord and there’s nothing that’s stopping me from doing what He’s called me to do! That’s the kind of confidence that Breier leads our squad with!
Briana Damilini: Use your gifts to teach others
Bri is phenomenal at the guitar and has led countless times over this past year. She not only uses her gifts, but also teaches others to excel in them as well! She’s encouraged and helped me learn new songs on the guitar this past year!
Chelsy Smoak: Be a giver and learn skills from YouTube for the race
Chelsy puts others above herself and has paid for our hosts meals and treats on countless occasions. She also learned the art of balloon animals from YouTube and can share about the Armor of God using balloons!
Chloe Clendinning: Share what God puts on your heart
Someone needs to hear it! Maybe they’ve been ignoring God, and you’re the person that God is using to tell them something important!
Christa Kain: Acknowledge the people the Lord places in your life
Walk the village you’re staying in. Talk to the locals as you pass by. Play games with the kids you meet. You don’t need to wait for them to approach you and you don’t need to speak the same language as them!
Danielle Schuman: Invite others to pursue God with you
When you’re on fire for God, invite others to join you. Allow them the opportunity to experience God intimately with you. Build up and encourage the body!
Dirk Vlot: Iron sharpens iron
Sometimes sharpening others requires saying hard thing. Challenge and encourage others by providing opportunities to call one another higher!
Emily Cate: Live like ministry has no switch
She’s currently on team 24/7 (ministry all day, everyday), but I’ve seen this displayed in her life since day 1 of the race. You can find her eating lunch with an Indian family in Nepal, learning and inviting our squad to play an instrument from someone she just met on the street, and so much more!
Hannah Gustafson: Lead out of the abundance of being led by God
That’s the kind of person people will follow! Although Hannah’s one of the youngest people on the squad, she’s been a leader for the majority of the race. Leading has nothing to do with age, and everything to do with pouring out all that God has been teaching you!
Heather Fuller: Invite others into worship
Heather is currently one of our worship coordinators, and she rocks! She’s helped turn someone like me (who never really enjoyed worship too much) to listening to songs non-stop, experiencing deeper intimacy with the Father through them, making playlists and sharing them with others, and praising Him in whatever way I’m led to!
Jess Logan: Take care of your body and soul
You only get one! Do we live like our bodies are holy temples? Nourish your soul with more of God and think about the things you’re putting into your body!
Jess Waite: Be yourself
Dance like you’ve never danced before! Live your life to the fullest! Don’t change who you are to please others, others will enjoy being with you because of who God created you to be!
Jon Ames: Tell stories
Jon is a phenomenal writer and has had his blogs shared countless times by other people on the squad. He writes in a way that allows others to actually step into his shoes and experience all that he’s been experiencing!
Kelly Morimune: You can do hard things
Erase all the lies that play in your head that say you can’t do something because you can! Ask God for help and give up control!
Kierra Miles: Love deeply
Kierra has a heart of gold and loves and cares for others extremely well. When someone is hurting, you can find her right next to them, hurting with them, and loving them well!
Kim Wilson: Your voice matters
It doesn’t take many words, but people need to hear the things the Lord places on our hearts. And people will listen, because what we have to say matters!
Krista Jenkins: Know yourself
If you didn’t know your enneagram number before coming on the race… you do now! Krista knows pretty much everything there is to know about each number and has helped many of us learn more about ourselves!
Kristy Keprta: Chase after your dreams
Don’t ever allow others to steal the joy of experiencing all that God has in store for you! You can do all things!
Lindsay Davis: Encourage, encourage, encourage
A few simple words of encouragement can be the difference between someone completing a task or quitting!
Margaret Pulley: Share your giftings with others
Others may not always understand certain giftings at first, but share the knowledge you have to educate people in the ways God has gifted you!
Mya Henderson: Tattoos open up a conversation
Mya has gotten several tattoos over the course of the race. Her tattoos are examples of how God has been working in her life. It’s also a great conversation starter when people ask her about them!
Nicole Wittmann: Videos are worth 1000’s of words
Nicole is a phenomenal videographer. She’s been making videos pretty regularly to help us see what she experienced each month. Videos can bring these experiences to life for those who are following our journeys!
Raina Luthra: Do listening prayer for others
It’s one thing for someone to encourage you, it’s another to know someone (Raina) intentionally sat down and sought the Lord on your behalf, then shares it with you!
Rebecca Bannister: God will give you the strength you need
There may be many challenging and difficult things that happen while you’re on the race. And during these times, it may seem like we can’t go any further. And alone, that’s true, but God will give us the strength we need to continue on the journey!
Taylor Krueger: Be vulnerable
Taylor will be the first to share her heart and struggles with a group. She leads with transparency and allows others in, which helps create an environment of openness and trust!
Vanessa James: Use your gifts
One day this girl will be on the big screen! Until then, check out her amazing productions on YouTube! We did a skit month 2… it was so good, we still talk about it (not to mention she directed a music video for the non-pvters recently as well)!
Viktoriya Matveyeva: Share what God reveals to you
It’s not meant to just be kept to yourself. Share what God revealed to you in His Word, through a worship song that speaks to you, or anything else He might be using!
