It’s the End of the Year (as we know it)…

So another (school) year is ending… it’s hard to believe
that the time I’ve spent in the same classes with these fab five starting in January, among a
graduating class of 52, is over. It’s so
hard to say goodbye. Yea, it was quite
an unconventional academic year, with most of our sessions taking place in
different environments – orphanages, bars, English centers, hotels, feeding
centers, beaches, classrooms, churches – in different countries around the world. We’ve each had moments worthy of detention (I
don’t think expulsion ever came up) and moments worthy of extra merit and many
gold stars…. the memories we’ve made will last a lifetime. 

As I look back on the first weeks of school, and then the
middle of the year, I have nothing short of love for my fellow class- er, teammates
– heck, family. As a final shout out, here
are my yearbook entries to each of them.. Of course, no graduation would be complete without Green Day’s Time of
Your Life playing – so cue the music (on your own).

Jen Den

Most Likely to: Add cereal and sprinkles as two additional
(but separate) food groups without conferring the USDA, making the food
pyramid’s official title (at least according to Wikipedia) Jen Den’s Improved
American Food Guide Pyramid.  

What I’ve Learned from Her: The effectiveness of
discipleship when the heart is genuinely interested and concerned.  Jen’s love  for the squad, and especially for
mentoring young women, has grown more apparent throughout the year, and it is
clearly where she’s most herself. I’ve
seen her intentionality with individuals develop into great friendships full of inside jokes, special lingo and sincere endearment. I’ve also learned the importance of guarding
time with God and with oneself by Jen’s example. I’ve loved being able to see her
multi-dimensional and dynamic personality unfold and be unleashed this
year. Jen – you have charisma and could
(Lucky) charm your way into a cereal box, but you’re also full of depth, have
the ability to really listen and yet know when and how to lighten the mood. Thanks for being real and for making scary things like transition of life’s seasons and awakening more of the Holy Spirit within, more normal and feasible in daily life.  I’ll never see paperclips the same way again,
and whenever God puts them across my path, I’ll think of ya. I eagerly await calls and emails from ya..
especially (but not limited to) when you tell me you’ve gotten your cereal
restaurant off the ground!

Lins (also deemed Becks and Blonde)

Most Likely to: Win nearly every game of Settlers of Catan:
Cities and Knights – even when she appears off to a slow start or seems
improbable to emerge victorious, she somehow discovers two or three different
ways to get to 13 points first.

Voted Best: Eyelashes – with mascara, she can drastically
change her daytime and nighttime looks, ha!

What I’ve Learned from Her: What true sisterhood means, what
it means to give and receive edification and to give acceptance and be accepted
100% of the time. Some of Lins’ major roles have been as my PR woman, sidekick, moral support, lifesaver and lifegiver. She never ceased to encourage me in my talents/obsessions, thinking of
ways I can fulfill my dreams. She gave
me nudges and kicks when I needed either, knowing when to differentiate between
the two… but mostly, she has loved me absolutely, speaking life and encouragement
(and silliness) in only the way she can. Her abilities to go forth with her dreams, think outside the box, connect God’s ppl globally, and her heart for seeing
women released from bondage will no doubt do great things for His kingdom. Lins – what words can express the thanks I
have for your votes of confidence in me all year, for the lavish love and
attention you’ve shown me (breakfast in bed, drawing me my first bubble bath in
yeeeeears, checkin on me in my sleep, dates, etc etc), for the way we can delve into conversation about anything
while doing any type of ministry together (bar outreach, English teaching,
sleepover at Tanya’s, brick laying, sand/dirt sifting, baking lotsa cookies..), for how you know and understand me to the core and feed me in the
ways I need to be fed? Thanks for explaining basic things with a 3rd grade teacher’s patience, and celebrating my small victories with the pride of a teacher to her 3rd grader, like when I lit the propane stove with a match. Your voice and opinions have kept our team going and on our feet, your creative ideas have kept us having fun.. To say I’ll miss
you when you’re in Spain (& beyond) is a huge (as in, how I like my steak – huge) understatement. Know that a piece of my heart is going with
you, and you just might find your partner in crime in your luggage.. Speaking of crime, if I ever need a bail out or someone to be an eyewitness, I have blind faith in you to represent me.

 

 

  

Dave

Most Likely to: Attract mice, cockroaches, or other such
vermin/rodents..

Voted Best: Height – just entering a room, he adds a
presence that’s hard to miss. Or Blue
Steel look. He has the male model
chiseled cheekbones..

What I’ve Learned from Him: Quality control. Dave performs with such high standards and a
strong work ethic. The effort and care
that he spends outlining and painting a sign, designing a patio, leveling dirt,
dusting scones with sugar, preparing for a sermon, explaining the game of
Settlers to a newbie, or simply talking to a local, has made an impression on
me multiple times. Dave’s tenderness and
humility have   shown that boldness and faith don’t have to equate to
loud and extreme. This year he’s been
the pacifier of our team, often putting others at ease with his accepting and
sincere nature. Dave – it doesn’t take
lifting a bucket in Romania to know that you’re strong, more than just
physically (altho that hasn’t waned despite lots of manual labor and old age,
impressive, haha). Continue to usher
others under your wing, cuz God’s given you a large wingspan for a reason. I know you’ll continue to find your voice, boldness and passion in Spain. Thanks for leading us thru 2 tough ATLs (among other countries) and being our sugar daddy all year w/o complaint.  I’ve so enjoyed seeing you come alive and be creative in different projects, and flat out giddy and excited both in- and outside of ministry. You’re the best blue collar partner
a gal could ask for – knowing how much I could handle without encroaching on my
pride, but also giving me the hand I needed many times. I’ll miss you, your scones, cinnamon rolls
and funny antics!

 

 

 

Benny (also goes by
Barry or B)

Most Likely to: Fit into Lindsay’s pants, yep, literally. (refer to pic of him in gray pants)

Voted Best: HAIR (the envy of females)!!!! DUH. A
huge culture shock of going home will be returning to stick straight Asian hair
to scratch.. saaaaad. Need I say
more? 

What I’ve Learned from Him: Euchre, Spades, Hearts.. hehe. In addition, I’ve learned that one of the few
ways to get him riled up is to diss his “Finnish” pronunciation of the commonly
used and extremely important word sauna. Even when debating the pronunciation of said
word, and why the mountains, lakes and fires in the UP are incomparable to
anything we’ve seen all year, he will still be able to keep track of whose turn
it is in any given game and what moves each player should make. All that being said, Benny’s taught me a lot
about waiting on God’s timing/voice/plans, true worship coming from the heart, stepping
into the frontlines no matter how much we hafta die to self.. he’s taught me
about self-control and discipline, taming the tongue and being slow to anger
and quick to listen. He’s inspired me
with his passion to know the Word intimately and to not just know about God,
but to know Him as a wild lover. Benny –
God has definitely given you a wisdom and understanding beyond your years, a contagious spirit, and a strength and endurance for anything that comes your way.  He has so much more in store for ya, it’s sick. Keep seeking to know, knowing how to seek, and blessing others with the
way you love on everyone. I can’t begin
to describe how much I’ll miss your fun n’ easygoing company, sense of adventure, Spirit-led
worship and Euchre partnership. Thanks
for your patience in repeating things until I get it, supporting me in my
randomness, and letting me obsess about your hair. My separation anxiety from that will result
in a new obsession… shag carpets. Come
visit me in the DC when you emerge from the woods, the wilderness, or simply your UP.

 

 

Melissa (Mel)

Most Likely to: Be a respectable competitor against a
Haitian orphan in a Wash-Off (washing team laundry by hand) with categories including time
lapsed, wrist action and cleanliness of clothes. 

Voted Best: Poses/facial expressions – she can position herself to be silly,
serious, kick-butt, or uber-vogue in a matter of seconds it takes to snap a
picture!

What I’ve Learned from Her: Perseverance and interceding on
others’ behalf. Mel has overcome many
trials because of God’s faithfulness and strength and her own desire to choose
in and press deeper, getting her hands dirty if need be, to gain freedom. As she’s had her fair share of injuries and
illnesses this year, I’ve learned that God may use the circumstances to teach
those around her compassion, patience and discernment between physical and
spiritual warfare.  I can’t say I’ve
gotten it completely figured out, but thanks to her, I now ask more of the questions
instead of shrugging things off.  Mel’s
taught me that differences shouldn’t hinder the strive to understand and love. Mel – thanks for grace and forgiveness, all
your prayers  and words for myself and others (quite inspiring to see you claim
your gifts), and for the ways you’ve served and loved me even when it wasn’t always clear or convenient as to how. I’m excited to get the AIM Canada updates and to see what God continues
to do in/with you. Your excitement will breed lotsa cool stuff.

 

 

Me (aka Chiu, Chiu-berry, Chiusome, Blonder, Bephany Goo, Gooster, Chiu-bacca – it’s not surprising that this year, I’ve nearly forgotten my first name, as it’s irrelevant on the squad)

Most Likely to: Do, drink, eat or ask something stupid outta
curiosity – while making sure someone is documenting the whole thing.

Voted Best: Smile – I have perfected the art of the “cheese”
after years and years, rolls upon rolls of film, albums upon albums of
family photos!

What I’ve Learned: It was not a mistake to pack 6 batteries and 3 memory cards.  Ha.  But seriously, I’m enough just as I am. I was made for His pursuit and
captivation. The quirks I had before the
Race, before spending 24-7 with a new set of family, that I often wondered if I
should try and change, have been confirmed and even appreciated by people this
year.. leading me to believe that God created me to be this way! I’ve learned not to compare my journey, my
knowledge, my growth, my healing, my experiences and my skills and gifts with
anyone else’s (that’s quite a mouthful, and still quite a mindful to be mindful
of…). My mistakes are covered by His
grace. Things I have a knack or
inclination or passion for are very possibly things that He’s put in me and
given to me to take ownership of (someway, somehow)…I’ve grown in grabbing hold of self-confidence and beauty, altho there’s still room for more growth.. I’ve learned that there’s a spiritual realm that’s deeper and more prevalent than I previously knew existed, and that we’re in a battle that He’s already won… that being said, don’t seek out Satan to destroy him, but point out God to the world. I’ve learned that God’s capable of doing crazy awesome things and blessing the crap outta me, but He’s also into disciplining those He loves and drawing me into the desert if that’s what it takes to capture my heart, mind, soul and being.. if I’m looking for a wild lover, He is IT!  He’s the perfect example.. He’ll do anything to grab ahold of me, and “He won’t relent until He has it all.” I’m asking more questions and have a greater interest in going deeper in the Word.. Only through the Race this year, have seeds been planted and I’ve been nudged towards discovering more of the Holy Spirit and what He’s capable of doing in and thru me.

I may not know my exact
next steps, but I am continuing to learn to trust that my feet are pointed in
the right direction. I may not have
performed or seen extreme physical healing, but I’ve learned that it’s about
inner healing. I may not have cast out
demons, but I’ve learned to cast out fear and doubt. I may not be speaking in the Spirit, but I
learned to speak of things of the Spirit. I may not have a testimony that’s outta this world, but I have the capability to show love, patience, kindness, compassion, gentleness, humility, self-control and grace that’s outta this world cuz it’s Him inside me.. and that holds all the power, when exercised. I may have been given praise from people about abandoning ‘life as we know it’ this year to serve others, but it pales in comparison to the glory He deserves.  I also learned that I’m a slow processer, so this is all a mental explosion with little flow, as I’ll probably begin to really reflect on the year much later. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Luminous

 

 

LOVE YOU GUYS!