Before the Race I had one prayer request. As I readied myself for this missions trip, the question often arose from so many of my caring friends and family: “Hey, how should I be praying for you as you prepare?”
I never hesitated.
“Pray for unity in my team.”
I couldn’t shake it. Of all the things I could ask of the Lord in this time, my real desire was for a unified team who would serve the Lord in a clockwork way. A way that could show others how a church can function when we each focus our eyes on Christ and serve each other above our own desires. At this point in time, I hadn’t met a single person on our squad yet.
It’s been eight months since I’ve been in America and even longer since these particular conversations with my supporters had taken place. Through the months on the Race, my team has shifted a few times. I love every person who I have been on a team with but I must say… There is somethings extremely special about the people I am currently doing life with now (I will introduce each of them at the end).
Monday, April 18, 2016
It all started with an invitation addressed to Scott and Christina, our American hosts who serve as missionaries at the Cambodian guest house:
“You are formally invited to a romantic dinner for two.”
That afternoon our team had decided it was time to give back to our hosts for all of the effort they constantly pouring out into all of those around them. Our team went to work, dispersing each task to match our strong suits. We bought all of the ingredients for a simple, yet classy, Italian meal. We bought plenty of cute little candlelights. We even bought a wooden slate to serve a fancy cut platter of cheese as appetizer.
Mark took over the cooking (a talent he rarely displays but excels greatly in). As Scott and Christina met in the lobby I stood by the door to lead them in to the decked out patio for their romantic evening. Kayla had carefully designed a “Love playlist” for their enjoyment throughout the dinner. Jamison was on the other side of the door ready to open it for our VIP hosts. They had no idea what was in store.
It was a few minutes after seven when I led the couple to the only table by the pool. It was finely dressed with a vase to hold Christina’s roses in the center. Next to the vase sat a small jar containing intriguing questions Sandra had found, written, and placed inside. It was there to spur funny and fascinating conversation, even though we knew they wouldn’t struggle to find topics to talk about.
Abel and Marissa began the evening with the precisely cut cheese platter (resembling hearts, flowers, and other cute shapes). They checked on our guests and explained that dinner wouldn’t take long.
Before serving our main meal, we could hear Sandra play a love song on her ukulele for their entertainment. Her voice floated through the guesthouse exciting all of us that the evening was going so well for our very deserving missionary hosts.
Each portion of the meal went by and at the end of it all I passed by the window to notice the couple dancing to the music Kayla had so beautifully crafted. Each of us glowed from the joy of giving Jesus’ love in a way we hadn’t done before.
I don’t write this to brag on my team. I refuse to boast in anything but Christ alone. Can’t you see it though? This was all Jesus! This is the Jesus who heard me months and months ago desperately down on my knees and asking for one thing.
Lord, I want a unified team.
I wanted to pour out to the world. To show the nations that Jesus’ love is like no other encounter they could ever imagine. To be an example of the church.
I had asked these things so deeply from my heart. God came through so much more than I could have possibly fathomed. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better team to serve this couple together. Each of us taking on a roll we knew we could excel in! And the best thing about it all? Every roll we excel in, is different from the other person.
God is so perfect in every way and His perfection shined through to me in how He chose my team.
Kayla: I’m surprised her heart even fits inside her body because it is so big and full of love
Marissa: Humbly serving no matter who sees or doesn’t because she knows ultimately God sees every act of kindness she is constantly committing
Cassandra: Always willing to go above what she is asked so that she can show Jesus to each person she encounters
Jamison: Willing to meet any person in the room and show them they are worth the time because that is how the Lord views them
Mark: Strategically pouring out the vast amounts of wisdom God has granted him so that others can benefit
Abel: Having every aspect of leadership a guy his age can possess, with the most important being his servant’s heart. He views others as more important than himself
I brag on these people because I know the truth. So do they. None of these people would be who they are today if it weren’t for the mighty power of God our Father. He loves us so deeply and transforms us to be more like Him each passing day. He isn’t only transforming us individually; He is even transforming us as a team. A team who can love the nations with the love that has been shown to us by Christ.
God is a God who answers prayers. He has so graciously lavished on me the gift of unity. I am so excited to see how the Spirit will continue to bring this gift to all of the churches each of the people on my team end up attending and building up in the future. For now, I relish in the ways the Lord uses us in the here and now.
The unity of the Spirit is intense, an all consuming fire that burns through the outer defenses and warms the soul within.
United we stand. Jesus at the center. The world watching.
