When I arrived at Training Camp last July, I was not prepared for the kind of community I’d become a part of. We found out our teams (groups of 6-8) on the first day. And honestly, I didn’t think my team would work well together. From a first glance at our personalities, we seemed almost too similar. It wasn’t until further into that week, and, really, into the race, that I got to see that my assumption was so wrong. It was amazing to get to know all of their beautiful, unique, and diverse characteristics that bring us closer together.
During that week, we were asked to pick a team name. The idea of UNITY was on our hearts, but there seemed to be a better word floating around out there that weren’t remembering. My teammate, Gracie, called her mom and explained our situation, and her mom suggested the word {GRAFTED}. We immediately knew that was the name we were waiting for.
There are two types of grafting:
- Plant Grafting: Grafting is the act of placing a portion of one plant (bud or scion) into or on a stem, root, or branch of another (stock) in such a way that a union will be formed and the partners will continue to grow.
- Skin Grafting: A piece of skin, bone, or other living tissue transplanted or to be transplanted from one body, or place on a body, to another, where it grows and becomes a permanent part
We were different individuals with different pasts, different strengths and struggles, and different personalities. But in Christ, we are intertwined into one.
We are different parts of the church body, formed together as the body of Christ. We are brought into unity, oneness, by Him.
Meet my beautiful team:
- Elena- Our fearless team leader. She is gentle, genuine, and wise. She is an amazing listener with a steadfast heart that loves the Lord. She loves frosting and pancakes!! (God healed her of a gluten allergy while we were in Africa!!)
- Amber- This girl has a gift of empathy. She is an amazing example of mourning with those who mourn. She loves giving to others, and she knows exactly what to give. In Cambodia, she bought the team different (and really good) chocolate bars and wrote us each notes. She put time and thought into loving us. She is really talented on a ripstick and loves to dance.
- Gracie- Gracie is is one of the most steadfast people I know. She is firm in her relationship with God, and doesn’t let the little things get to her. She is eager to know the truth. She is intentional about loving those around her. She is a true, meat-lovin’, West Virginian and I love her!
- Jaynna- She is a warrior for Jesus. She is strong (not just because that’s her last name) and has so much confidence in the Lord. She builds her house upon the Rock. She has beautiful princess hair and the best laugh.
- Kae- Sweet Kaelan Renee is joy-filled, smiley, and has a contagious laugh. She is a natural encourager. She has a beautiful voice and loves acting. She is a huge Harry Potter fan. She does a really good “old Boston smoker” impression.
- Margee- It’s been so cool to watch her grow and become more like Christ. She is obedient to God even when it’s hard. She desires to be holy and set apart for Him. She is a goofball and loves to dance. Her alter-ego is Lemon, the southern belle.
- Luis- Our Squad Leader! He is a fun-loving adventure seeker and a hard-core Jesus follower. He loves God and others sincerely and whole heartedly. He is a great leader, and our team is blessed to get to learn from him and have fun with him.
Some pictures of team Grafted!:
{GEORGIA}
Training Camp, July 2018
{CAMBODIA}
Celebrating Kae’s Birthday, Month 1 {Battambang}
Our Kid’s Read Aloud, Month 1 {Battambang}
Month 1 Debrief {Siem Reap}
Women’s Night at Church, Month 3 {Siem Reap}
{ETHIOPIA}
Watching the sunrise for our Squad Leader’s birthday, Month 4
Drinking hot chocolate on Christmas, Month 4
Midpoint Debrief, Month 5 {Addis Ababa}
{NICARAGUA}
Checking out a volcano, Month 7
God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with these women of the Lord! They are goofy and kind, encouraging and strong, loving and fun. And no: we don’t get along ALL the time. We disagree sometimes. We see the hard parts of each other. But we are sisters, and God gives us compassion, forgiveness, and understanding for each other when we lack it ourselves. They are best friends for life and I thank God for bringing us together.
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Hey peeps! Two things!:
1.) My squadmate and friend, Madi, is still fundraising. She only needs $145 and it would be SO awesome if you could help her out. Anything helps! She is amazing and God is doing incredible things in her life! You can donate on her blog:
https://madijohnston.theworldrace.org/
2.) I fly home at the very end of May! It’s crazy! For 6 days in June, the Racers have an opportunity to come back to Gainesville, Georgia to the Base for Project Searchlight. We will have sessions about how to readjust to life at home and encouraging us to continue living out what we learned.
I have to pay for the majority of my flights, both home from the field, and to and from Project Searchlight. From my research so far, it looks like it will be around $1,100. If you’d like donate towards that, email my dad at:
*Don’t donate on my blog, because it won’t go to me:)
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me already!!!!
