Juxtaposition
noun
1.The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
 
I’ll set the scene for you. After a long day of travel (10 hours to be exact) we are about to board the plane to India for the first leg of our Race. A man from Qatar Air comes onto the intercom and informs gate F7 that our plane headed to Doha is in fact “damaged” and our flight of 250 people is cancelled.
 
As you might have guessed chaos ensues at Gate F7.
 
The flight had a diverse array of people and the sound of angry, exhausted voices in various languages filled the terminal.
 
Our squad would stick out in any travel situation seeing as it is hard to miss 48 young vibrant humans wearing Chacos and toting enough REI and musical instruments to raise questions, but tonight, I would like to think we stood out for other reasons.
 
In the midst of passenger’s confusion, stress, and anger, our squad acted with humility, grace, and patience. While it wasn’t our plan to spend 2 full days attempting to escape Atlanta, the Lord had us just where He wanted.
 
The Race has begun and it is clear in our squad’s attitude that yes we are racing across the world, but more importantly we are living the race set out by Christ for each and EVERY believer: to make His name known.
 
On my own I am often too quiet, too easily influenced by the temperament of our world, and passive with the joy in my soul.

However, in this squad of 48 passionate souls, quiet is not in our vocabulary, joy is the furthest thing from being passive, and the people of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport couldn’t help but notice.

Just a few of these #HumansofHartsfield-Jackson

The worker at baggage claim who found Jackie’s lost bag after a frantic 12-hour search and needed prayer.

My new elderly Thai friend named Woody who recently lost his job after 40 years as a janitor and is returning to his homeland in hopes of planting a garden. (Yes he has invited my team to see his garden in October when we are in the area ! )

The women who worked with Mother Theresa in India and asked a few of my squadmates to pray for her foot that was crushed by a drunk driver.

The TSA worker who saw us worshipping and praying and asked to join in.

The girl on the shuttle who works for the airline pushing wheelchairs and hopes to now go on the World Race one day. 

The cancelled flight was really only a blessing. A blessing to pause, and have a taste of what is ahead when we come together as one beacon of light in the midst of chaos.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Cheers to a year of juxtaposition. Our squad & my team vs. chaos. Jesus vs. it all.

 

 

*** Update.. we did indeed make it to India! I am sitting in a coffee shop posting this little update before hopping on a night bus to head even deeper into south India. Here my team of 6 lovely ladies will begin work at our first assignment. Once I receive permission for disclosing further information I will send out an update. Lift up prayers for safe travels! !