It’s been a week and a half since Team Vessel of Peace stuffed our packs full, said our teary-eyed goodbyes, and loaded into the church truck bed for the last time. We met up with the rest of our squad and made our five-hour voyage to Antigua, Guatemala for our first debrief.
Debrief is a five-day period set aside for processing, community building, and spiritual rest.
I remember walking into our hostel and feeling this enormous sense of relief. I sighed and said to my teammates, “I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until we got here.”
El Salvador wasn’t an extremely hard month for me. I didn’t understand why this relief came after only a few weeks on the field. We had amazing hosts, awesome ministry, and tons of fun.
But as He routinely uses unassuming circumstances to draw me near, debrief was the Lord’s way of shining light on all the gunk that I refused to process in those first weeks on the field.
Starting the race is a major transition whether my stubborn heart wants to admit it or not. No matter how tough I hope to be, the truth is that I just need to be held in my Papa’s arms sometimes.
So that’s what I did.
Our leadership team poured so much love and wisdom into us during those five days. I can’t tell you how filling it was to simply receive what they had to give.
For our final session, our coaches asked us to bring a letter addressed to our “month eight selves.” I spelled out the truths of Scripture and declared them over myself. I sealed it up and tucked it away until our session rolled around later that night.
Our coaches told us to turn in our letters so they could hold them for us until a later debrief. The idea is to be reminded of these scriptural truths when we are burnt out, doubtful, or in need of encouragement during the last leg of the race.
Before turning them in, Keith and Karen shared what we would be receiving in return for our letters.
Last month, they said goodbye to M-Squad at their final debrief in Spain. They asked these men and women to come alongside us in prayer as we start the journey they were about to finish.
Turns out, M-Squad had the opportunity to write each of us a letter of encouragement through the experiences they walked through over the last 11 months.
Mariah wrote mine. Here is what God said to me through her:
Dear Mariah,
First of all, thank you! Thank you for saying “yes” to God in going on the World Race. Thank you for saying “yes” again when you had the chance to pour into a complete stranger. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you in the exact words I needed. It’s crazy how this letter, written in Spain, made it into my hands in Antigua, Guatemala only a month later. Our God is pretty awesome, right?
I couldn’t wait to share how the Holy Spirit used your words to talk to me. The day before we received your letters, I had a hard conversation with one of my teammates. All of the difficult parts of our relationship were brought into light and it was extremely vulnerable.
At one point, she looked me in the eye and said “McKenzie, you are worth it.”
When I read your words, I was given a fresh reminder of how real and living and personal our God is.
My hope for you is that your passion and zeal for the Kingdom doesn’t stop with the World Race. In this season of re-entry, I want you to remember that you also are a tree planted by water.
When you miss community or feel like you’re stuck in the monotony of life in America, remember that the Lord isn’t done with you yet. Continue to press in to what He has for you and He will blow your wildest dreams out of the water.
As you’re faced with people who simply can’t understand, grant them grace as Jesus would. Love them well and lead them into open-mindedness with humility. The Lord speaks through you. Your words are so very important.
Please continue to say “yes” to Him. Whether you feel like life is falling into place right now or it seems to be falling apart, just hold fast to the truth that His ways are higher than ours. Keep trusting him.
I’m rooting for you. I’m praying for you. I love that I now know who this mysterious girl named Mariah is commenting on my blogs. Thank you for loving me well.
Love and Blessings,
McKenzie
