The entire I-squad is together in Bucharest, Romania for the month of September. We are staying at a former orphanage called Casa Shalom with its Director, Becky Walsh. Shalom in Hebrew means peace, completeness and welfare. It is also an expression to say both “hello” and “goodbye”. According to the quick definition offered from Wikipedia, “it can refer to either peace between two entities (especially between man and God or between two countries), or to the well-being , welfare, or safety of an individual or a group of individuals.” How fitting considering all of the changes I-squad has been through in just a short amount of time.
Leaving Viile Tecii was heart wrenching. I didn’t cry when I hugged the people goodbye or when I boarded the bus because I knew deep down that I was coming back. Tony and Danny rode with us to Bucharest so they could pick up the next teams and go back. I got to spend at least one more fun day with my frate (I called Danny my brother in Romanian) and friend. But when I watched them drive away…I lost it. I didn’t want to be around people. As my friends and family know…I’m a quiet person. I prefer to work in smaller groups or with individuals. Working in a herd of 30+ people tends to drain me. So many different personalities and styles often clashing, several wanting to be leaders and direct things…I tend to just sit back and let them go or wait for quiet. So at the end of my first day at Casa Shalom, I was practically in mourning…for having to leave Viile Tecii, for losing my place of quiet, for having to be surrounded by the entire squad for a whole month. Here I was reuniting with my World Race family, but I just wanted to be alone somewhere. I felt so much hurt and all I had in me were tears.
(left pic: me and Danny. right pic: Tony, me, Benny, Danny in back)
Next up, MAJOR CHANGES in leadership and within the squad.
#1-The very next day, our sister Rachel announced that she was leaving the Race to return to Nicaragua and continue ministry with the AIM contact her team worked with. So for her last day, Trish, Tara and I spent the day with Rachel at the Bucharest mall. That night the squad put on a costumed dance party and we prayed thanksgiving, encouragement and life into our sister. We commissioned her next phase of ministry. Damaris, Trish and I rode along with Rachel to the airport that night/next morning and so…more mourning and tears.
#2-As expected, our squad leaders (Racer alumni) are being phased out and new leaders are being raised up from within the squad. Tiffany was announced as the first squad leader (the second is TBD). #3-Team Azariah was dissolved and its members were dispersed amongst the other four teams. NEON welcomed Kaleb Poth! Kaleb is an amazing, protective brother and we are so blessed to work with him. #4-NEON member Megan Johns and Fuego member Taylor Griffith also left the Race for extenuating circumstances. My awesome sister Megan is continuing her ministry with AIM in South Africa indefinitely. Saying goodbye to Megan was by the far the hardest and most growing thing NEON has been through. We spent our last supper with Meg in the mall food court, eating Chinese food, pouring our hearts out and crying. I’m sure we looked like a crazy mess of Americans. =P Our last night was spent in worship, prayer, edification, confession and LOTS of tears. I know what Meg is doing now is for the best and I’ve learned once again how important it is to trust God through the hurt…more mourning and tears.
(our last N.E.O.N. pic)
#5-With Fuego team leaderless, more team changes were coming. The squad leaders and NEON met together to discuss the next and final change. After much prayer and listening for God’s direction, Will has now become Fuego’s leader and Matt has stepped up as our leader. I struggled with a lot of anger, hurt and lack of control through this whole ordeal. I felt like my heart was being ripped up so many times and I was just ready for it to stop. But after hearing God’s confirmation and repeatedly bringing my hurt before God…I’ve received so much comfort and healing and rest about this. I love my brother Will and I will miss his leadership and his role with our team so much. This is the right direction for all of us, but…more mourning and tears.
#6-(yup…a lot of changes huh??) Since the teams have changed so much, it was only fitting that we have new names to describe our new team personalities. So let’s give a big SHALOM to…
The Bamboo Brigade!!!!
right pic front row: me, Kelly Kramp, Kristin Helms, Kelly (Kel) Rampmeyer; in back is Kaleb Poth & leader Matt Ruple
Please be in prayer for BB and the I-squad as we transition into a new phase of accountability, vulnerability and love. God has been so gracious to carry us through shalom (peace, completeness, and our welfare), hello and goodbyes.
