Dear blog subscribers:
Today, January 29, 2019, we find out our new teams and people will be assigned new roles. We have known this day was coming for a while, so the suspense and speculation is thick!
Below is a letter to Team Tigress, my team for the first 4 months of the Race (The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Lesotho).
Also, here’s some background for those of you not familiar with the World Race:
Each group of people that the World Race launches is known as a squad and is assigned a letter. My squad is 5th generation O squad and consists of 30 women ages 21-34 and 7 men ages 22-35, plus 2 alumni squad leaders, 1 alumni squad mentor, and 2 parent squad coaches. 39 of us (the squad plus the alumni squad leaders) have been traveling to each country together and then the 6 teams split up in each country to go to separate ministry hosts. Sometimes teams serve together at a ministry, sometimes not.
All 42 of us, the squad plus leadership, are now here in Nelspruit South Africa for debrief. It’s 5 days, 6 nights of prayer, worship, rest, and fueling up for the next months of ministry ahead. This debrief, we have team changes and role changes. Leadership has prayerfully put people on new teams and assigned new roles. We find out this afternoon, in just a few hours!
I’m excited to get to know another group of people and continue to grow with them. I’m also excited for new people to grow their leadership skills. Overall, I’m just excited to continue on this journey. Can you believe we are almost at the halfway point of the 11 months!
I started out the Race a little fearful, but expectant for what God was calling me to. Now, I’m excited to jump into these next months. I also have a birthday coming up next month that I will be celebrating in eSwatini. This is nothing but God’s faithfulness! I’m a witness. Hold on to faith and trust that God’s plans for you are good. Seek Him first and He will provide for what He is calling you to do.
Now on to my letter to Team Tigress!
Dear Team Tigress,
All 6 of us are unique, strong, passionate followers of Jesus. I went to Training Camp so unsure about community living with strangers. The only thing I was sure about was that God called me to the World Race, so I’d at least begin the journey and see what happens. I was willing to do anything for Him, even live with strangers in order to travel the world and bring the love of Jesus to the nations.
Now, 4 months later, I consider each of you sisters, no longer strangers. Our diversity has often caused some rough patches and awkward team times, but through it all, Holy Spirit, our Team Leader Eva, and our Squad Leaders helped us navigate sensitive feedback and our unstructured months.
Please know, I love each of you. I’m honored that the first 4 months of my World Race was with Team Tigress. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. God knows me best.
Now that team changes are here, I want to affirm each of you publicly, so here goes!
Ashley Jones – Tigress worship coordinator
You have faith that is unshakable and so admirable. Your testimony is one I could listen to over and over because it so clearly shows God’s transforming power. Ashley, you have faith that can remove mountains and you are passionate for those around you to have the same. Thanks for being an inspiration.
Ashley Collins – Tigress treasurer
I see in you the image of God by how you serve the team by making sure our budget is in order and the team money is being used efficiently. Your compassion can soothe the hardest of hearts, and you give the best hugs!
Krista – Tigress storyteller lead
You are the younger sister I always wanted. You have joy and fun that overflows, never quench it; the world needs more of you. I see in you the image of God by how you seek to know everyone deeply and have fun in all situations.
Paige – Squad logistics coordinator
I see in you the image of God by how you are deeply loyal and gentle to your closest friends. You are a good friend to have. I also love how efficiently you, Brynna, and Jacob have served the squad. From my observing perspective, you make getting 39 people across borders and through airports seem easy. Keep being you – loyal, gentle, and the best friend to your friends!
Eva – Tigress team leader
Eva, you had a big task to lead Tigress, a diverse group of passionate women, but you did it with grace. You have strength of spirit and patience that endures. I see in you the image of God by how you have led our team. Also, we share the same birthday, so you’ll never get rid of me! We are sisters forever.
I love you Tigress!
I can’t wait to see where God leads each of you after the Race. I know He has big things in store, so keep pressing in and know you have me cheering in your corner.
Love,
Sharon
