As a person that is a wonderful blog stalker, I can tell you something—do not have expectations with anything World Race related! With that said, I had a few general expectations going into training camp: 1.) meet my squad and 2.) find out who would be on my team!
For those of you who don’t know the difference, allow me to explain.
Squad—I am on Q squad. There are 4 different squads launching in July. Each squad has a different country route. In my case, Q squad is group of 47 individuals who will travel together to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Nepal, India, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. I will be with all of these marvelous people mainly during travel days from country to country as well as debriefs.
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ!!!!!!
Team—Within Q squad, there are 7 teams of 6-8 people. These teams are sent throughout whichever country we are in to different ministry sites. Each month will look different for each team. I am on Team Breakthrough!
From left around table to right: Marina, Mary Lyn, Parker, Aline, Me, Lindsey, and Patrick!
Why the name Breakthrough? When asked for ideas about a team name, Patrick brought up the wall of Jericho falling. We all felt like our walls too were falling in faith to God. We are no longer the same people from before training camp. Some of our walls have fallen and others will continue to fall through the Race. We strive for the breakthrough of all the walls in our lives. We want to breakthrough those obstacles that keep us from a deeper intimacy with God.
Allow me to introduce you to my new family!
Team Breakthrough! Back: Aline, Lindsey, Patrick, Marina, Parker. Front: Me and Mary Lyn.
Patrick-Our fearless Team Leader! Patrick is such a humble leader who has so much knowledge to share. He genuinely wants to make sure everyone is heard. He knows a lot about this wilderness/hiking/camping stuff, so all my questions will go to him! Oh, and he kind of likes pineapples!
Mary Lyn-Team Financier. (If we don’t give her receipts, she will kill us!) I got to talk with Mary Lyn the morning before teams were announced and I’m glad I did! She has a big personality in an introverted mind. And she’s a historian, so there’s that.
Parker-Squad Logistic Leader. I didn’t really get to know Parker at camp that well, but he is a strong man of God. I do know he’s an adventurous soul that likes to laugh! Along with Patrick, he knows stuff about hiking/camping, so my questions will also be directed to him as well!
Lindsey-Team videographer! Right Lindsey? She laughs at my laugh, so we’re pretty much best friends already! She brings joyousness with her everywhere she goes.
Aline– She is a nurturer at heart. I called her “mom” multiple times at camp just because of the heart she has to make sure everyone is cared for and hugged. She is a woman of God who is a light for every place she goes. If I ever need a good hug, I know exactly who to go to!
Marina– We were in all but one team activity together, so I had an idea we would be placed together. She has a gentle heart and a gift for photography. She is also a very compassionate person!
Every time we’re together we laugh…a lot! Team Breakthrough definitely knows how to have fun, and I know I am going to grow a ton from these teammates! I can’t wait to do life with these amazing people and learn more about each one of them!
