I grew up without brothers (or even a brother for that matter.) So last October, at Training Camp, when I learned I was going to be a co-ed team, I knew one of the many things I’d be learning on the Race is how to live with brothers.
Whilst in China I was extremely blessed to spend lots of quality time with brothers who shared Christ’s Love with me, encouraged me while I was in the midst of trying times, and began to show me what responsible, mature, Godly men looked like.
But I did not live with brothers day in and day out like I do now.
Over the past three months, I’ve been learning non- stop what it’s like to have brothers. I’ve been so blessed to have the opportunity to live and serve with two incredible brothers, David Rivera (occasionally known as “Chinito”) and Paul Kirkland (occasionally known as “Pablo”) every single day.
Let me introduce you to my fearless team leader, David.
Here he is loving on Alejandro and Diego whilst in Honduras.
Here is David riding a horse for the first time in his life!
Without a doubt, David is an incredibly awesome man. I am SO thankful to have David as my Team Leader. He naturally leads and looks out for the team as a whole, and simultaneously takes time to really pour into each team member. He is a man who shows me, on a daily basis what “loving the Lord with all of your heart all of your soul, all of your mind and with all of your strength” (Mark 12:30) looks like.
He’s taught me SO many things by example, some examples are living a physically healthy life style, practicing listening well and with intention, staying well disciplined, reading life- giving books, responding to the Holy Spirit, and constantly seeking the Lord’s Wisdom and Discernment. It’s been such a joy doing life with him and serving the Lord alongside him.
Now let me introduce Pablo to you one more time (See my blog post Paul, tell me 3 things for my first intro of Paul.)
Here’s Paul with some kids from El Ayudante, in Leon, Nicaragua.
Paul and I hangin’ out in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala!
Paul really is the little brother I never had. Always light- hearted and playful, Paul makes me laugh from dawn to dusk. He’s a goofball who is a master at having fun, and effortlessly brings people right alongside him to live life to the fullest. When loving others,he just CAPTIVATES each an every person he meets. He’s passionate, caring, generous, and always, always, always seeks the Lord in everything he does.
He constantly has a desire to grow and change, and he is persistent and relentless in living out the Gospel on a daily basis. He is one of the hardest – working people I know, and he’s a killer salsa dancer! I’ve gotten to know him more and more this month, and I am VERY excited to see God continue to grow him into the man he’s destined to be!
Since I’ve met them, both of these men:
consistently see me as the Princess that I am,
bless me (treating me to an ice cream cone or buying me some new fancy pens,)
serve me (by lifting something heavy so I don’t have to, or by washing my dish)
show me Grace and Mercy,
pray for me and my loved ones,
protect me,
fight for me,
and love me.
They build me up,
laugh with me (and occasionally at me, like when I knock my head
against a window as I’m sleeping on a bus)
spend lots of quality time with me, (like talk to me, throw a ball with me,
and paint with me)
listen to me (and I listen to them too!)
They are Godly men who not only trust but affirm their trust in God. They ARE Dependent by Faith, and they put their faith into action! They love and honor not only myself, not only the other women on our team, not only the other squad members, but everyone (literally everyone) that the Lord puts in each of their paths. I am BEYOND blessed to develop the Kingdom alongside these great men, and I am so thankful for them.
Please read their blogs, (David’s) (Paul’s) and support them prayerfully and financially!
