This month has felt different.
Something has felt off.
Something has been missing.
That thing that has been missing, has been our littles: Abby and Renata.
Renata, me, and Abby on the Pirate ship in Greece!
Team Uplift was in a really good spot. We had just come off of a great start to Europe: Month 6 in Albania was one for the books, a month to remember. We also were coming off of our month 6 debrief; so we were feeling very well rested and excited for whatever Month 7 in Macedonia had in store for us! We were one of 2 teams to receive Exposure participants (aka littles). Mikayla and I were picked to be the point people of them; Renata with Mikayla and Abby with me. Mikayla and I were very excited to receive littles. We talked about what we would do with them, goals, how we would mentor/disciple them, and just help them adjust to the craziness of the Race! Mikayla was especially excited to get a “little” since she herself was a “little” 5 years ago! We waited in anticipation for the day that they came!
And what a joy they were to have! They came into the Race just ready to experience everything, ready to do anything and everything. They are such servant-hearted women and brought a lot of depth to our team! You both jumped into everything without hesitation! Renata, you kind of knew what you were getting into because you are thinking about doing the Race in a few years. Abby, you just wanted to do a short mission trip (about a month) and signed up without even ever hearing about the World Race! I loved both of your vulnerability levels and even though it was more of a month of discipleship than a month of just missions, you both embraced it so much! It was the PERFECT month for them to join us since Macedonia welcomed us so well with loving, open arms and nothing but acceptance! Our team of 5 became a mighty team of 7 due to the depth you both brought to Team Uplift!
Dear Renata (Renatache),
What can I say, other than, what an incredible month it was to get to know you and serve alongside of you! You came into this experiencing just embracing all of the things that God was revealing to you! I couldn’t be prouder of how you handled yourself with such a maturity that is well beyond your years! Thank you for your vulnerability! I also wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed being able to relate to some of the same issues as you. I loved our initial 1:1 that lasted almost the entire bus ride from Skopje back to Stip! I appreciated the insight, wisdom, and perspective you brought to the team because of how quiet and observant you are. You are able to pick up on things and emotions of others very quickly! You have an elegance about you that is so beautiful! Thank you for being such an important member of the team! Never forget the power your story holds and don’t ever be hesitant to share it with others! Praying boldness over you because you carry a lot of influence; a gift God has given you for sure! I loved having another person on the team with a passion for the special education population! I loved seeing you with the adults and with that man’s 2 sons with Autism from the square! Best of luck with work and grad school! Know that I will for sure be keeping in touch with you and will be constantly praying for you! Missing you more and more each day! Love you Renata, God Bless you!
Dear Abby (Abche),
Wow, my dear, is the word that comes to mind when I think about you and how much you grew this month! You are a completely different person than you were from when Malia and I picked you up at the airport in Tirana, Albania, to the person I said goodbye to at the bus stop in Skopje, Macedonia! You were ready to go, go, go from the start! You were always ready to dive into whatever was in front of you! You wanted to do ministry all the time, talk to everyone, and hear their stories! You see and befriend people SO well; it is a great gift! I loved watching you flourish into an even more confident woman of God in your time with us! I have some fond memories of you! First, your airplane story; God was doing big things for you BEFORE you even got to us! I pray you share that story with the world because it is amazing! Second, how you befriended our neighbor. You seriously brightened her life by going out there, day after day, to try to talk to her and love on her despite the frustrating language barrier! Third, was the night you were so bold and decided to share what was on your heart/was frustrating you that day with the whole congregation during the one Sunday service! My last fond memory of you is when you joined me with your angelic voice for the very first prayer meeting service! I loved how you encouraged me and just jumped right in! You rocked it, girl! I miss our Coffee Lab 1:1 dates! I love how you challenged the team from day 1 with your views/perspecitives and your amazing Biblical knowledge! Keep soaking up His Word! I pray that you always have a craving for the Word for the rest of your life! Abby my dear, I am praying for wherever God takes you in this next season of life. Whether you go to law school, get a teaching job, or another job; I pray you glorify the Lord and bring honor to Him with whatever you do! Miss you so much and praying for you always! Love you, my forever “little”! God Bless!
To my “littles,”
You both have changed me so much! Thank you for allowing me to come alongside of you with everything in your lives and allowed me to disciple/mentor you both! It was a month that will be hard to forget! It continues to be my favorite month of the Race and you two are a big part of why! Please accept my apology for not always being the best “big,” I could have been. When I was feeling rejected by the team I pushed you two away along with the rest of the team and y’all didn’t deserve that! Thank you for the laughter, the tears, the memories, everything. You both are two beautiful daughters of the King and are powerhouses for the Lord! You both took ownership of your 1 month of the Race! You even befriended the baristas at Coffee Lab! So proud of you both and wish nothing but the best for both of your lives! Y’all are SO great and loved and valued and CAPTIVATING! Never ever forget that! Love you both so much and are always here if you ever need anything! Also, I loved hanging out in Greece with you both; y’all are so fun! God Bless you both and your journeys! Don’t be strangers now!
Love you forever, your “big” Meg
