You may have noticed that my team’s name on the left side of this page switched from “United T.O.T.S” to “C.L.O”. Here’s why: back in January, my team had our meeting with all of leadership and it was very apparent that we needed a fresh start. My team has gone through all the highs and the lows, from losing teammates and sitting in conflict resolutions for hours, to laughing hysterically as we burned letters to all the guys who hurt us and chucked them off the rooftop to be seen no more. Between all the roller coasters and tension in the air, we were absolutely exhausted, and decided that it was time to leave all our garbage in United T.O.T.S.
Our team leader, Lilly, told us to start thinking and praying about a new team name that would embody our team objectives for the last half of the Race. During team time at La Montaña, we were discussing what the options were, when the Lord abruptly gave me the Spanish word “cielo”, which means “heaven”. Immediately, we felt as though this name accurately represented our desire to seek the heavenly realm and fight for kingdom here on earth, and so the vote was unanimous. We then created a list for what we were bringing into the new team and what we were leaving in the old.
So it is my pleasure to introduce to you my new team, Cielo (abbreviated C.L.O)! Here are some quick fun bits about us:
Amy:
Favorite food on the race:
Pad See Ew from Pantip (the mall across the street in Thailand) or Gallo Pinto (breakfast rice and beans from Costa Rica).
Favorite month and why:
Month 2 because we were at an orphanage that I fell in love with. I got to work with kids all day and I found my passion in doing so. This month, however, we are also working with kids at a school and I can already tell that it’ll be one of my favorites as well.
Hardest month and why:
Month 3 because Malaysia was just an all-around difficult country for me to press into between chaotic ministry and loosing a teammate (do to her going home). The spiritual atmosphere of the country was also a very dark one, so most of my squad was struggling emotionally and spiritually. The living situation had little privacy, so the base in Costa Rica was a welcomed space. Even though it was a hard month, it’s cool to look back and see how much He taught me to press into Him during trying times.
Ashlynn:
Favorite food on the race:
Pad See Ew, garlic naan, or Gallo Pinto with Natilla (Costa Rican sour cream).
Favorite month and why:
I would say month 2. We were in Thailand and that whole month was pure bliss. I really enjoyed our ministry during that month, as well as being able to live in Chiang Mai and spend time in the city.
Hardest month and why:
Month 5. My team was back and forth between La Montaña and the base all month. Please do not get me wrong. My time at La Montaña was very sweet and I would never change it; however, not being with the squad during that month was difficult. Month 5 was also the month where I most struggled with feeling drained, homesick, and other personal issues.
Brittany:
Favorite food on the race:
Pizza in Costa Rica and ice cream at the McDonald’s in Thailand right across the street from our hostel.
Favorite month on the race:
Months 1 and 5. Both were dope ministers.
Hardest month on the race:
Right now cause I want to see my mom.
Hannah:
Favorite food on the race:
Ice cream
Favorite month on the race and why:
Month one because I like Thailand a lot.
Hardest month on the race and why:
Month five because I don’t see Johnson (the trash raccoon) anymore.
Lilly:
Favorite food on the race:
My favorite food has been Gallo Pinto with a fried egg and Natilla.
Favorite month and why:
My favorite month was definitely month 1. It was a month full of adjustments, learning, and fun.
Hardest month and why:
The hardest month was month 5. It was a hard time for my team as well as a time of sudden realization that we were only halfway through the Race.
Myself:
Favorite food on the race:
DURIAN FRUIT! Not really, haha, athough it wasn’t half as bad as people made it out to be (for those of you who are unaware, Durian fruit is the world’s smelliest fruit and tastes like a delicious nail polish flavored flower, shaped and textured like a human liver). I also loved the food in Lampong, Thailand at a little restaurant on the corner of our hostel. Now THAT was Thai food (the other food in Thailand….not so much ;-). I have to say the food in Malaysia was my most favorite, however, because of the variety and unique flavors. I especially fell in love with this little restaurant called Ryan’s. Like, I didn’t know food could taste so good and that’s saying something.
Favorite month and why:
The month spent in Malaysia because I didn’t have a phone or WiFi—literally the best way to grow in intimacy with the Father!
Hardest month and why:
Hands down, the first month. Adjusting to life outside the states with strangers wasn’t easy! I felt extremely isolated, despite the fact that I was surrounded by people. As such, I continued to isolate myself instead of fixing the problem, and it only became worse. Ministry was hard, Thailand was hot, and homesickness was a real thing.
Thanks for reading!
Blessings,
-La Gringa Loca
