One week ago, I woke up in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States of America. I found myself in a bed that felt like a cloud, next to sisters I did not know 12 months ago. I thought to myself “this must be a dream.” It’s over. The World Race has come and gone. With days that felt as long as years, moments that passed like fleeting ships, I can’t believe I have crossed the finish line of this journey. I have been home for almost a week now. Reentry into life in America and home with my family has been wonderful. I have been celebrated and spoiled. Homecoming has been simple but also extravagant. It’s hard to put into words exactly everything that has been racing through my mind. This new life is overwhelming and I don’t know how to quite process it. The World Race feels so far removed and while it feels good to be home, there is a longing in my heart for more adventure, more relationships, more of something grand.
In my adjustment to home life, I find myself thankful for all the little things, as I expected I would be. Hot showers feel as good as I remember them to, the amount of nutritious food choices continues to excite me and the embrace of family and friends brings me to my knees in gratitude. However, something is definitely missing. Each morning I wake up alone. Every day I spend talking about the weather, politics or the newest video game called “Fortnite,” (I think). I expected this all to be different than what was, but why does it feel like there is an aching gap in my spirit?
This past year, I lived with and worked alongside some of the most influential, world-changing men and women. I’m talking powerhouses for the Gospel! They have changed my life. It’s no wonder I miss waking up next to them, sharing my thoughts with them or learning from their bold moves. Learning from and highlighting people from around the world this year through my “Kingdom Hands” blogs has been an absolute privilege! And as this journey comes to a close, I can’t help but highlight the men and women who have, seriously, changed my life. They each display and live out the character of Jesus in a different way that brought unity to the work we were apart of and excellence to the spreading of the message of the Gospel. Without further ado, here are the world-changers, planet-shakers, dream-makers: Kingdom Hands of World Race A-Squad.
Katie Mathews
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, this beautiful, blonde weirdo has taught me how to laugh with boldness, pursue knowledge and understanding about the things that matter, and love without any fear. Katie was my first best friend of my squad. She is the perfect place to lighten my load. I knew Katie loved me and loved the Lord by the way she lived each and every day with an eternal perspective pursual. Her morning routine of working out and quiet time, is followed by a day of relentlessly pursuing others with the love of Jesus. Katie is the most fierce pursuer of understanding scripture. She leads in her actions of excellence. She invites and welcomes others with a warm smile. No one ever feels pressured or awkward around her because she embodies the warmth and easiness of Jesus’ presence. Though we only walked the first 4 months of the World Race on the same team, she continued to encourage me in my faith. It is an honor to know Katie and be known, truy known and understood, by her.
Sarah Landsman
Sarah is from the beaches of Galveston, Texas, where she enjoys her curly hair to be infused with saltwater and to spend time with her big, beautiful, loud family. Sarah is not a perfectionist, as she lives under the umbrella of God’s grace and offers that same grace to others. Rather, Sarah has an extreme passion for excellence. She led our squad in excellence in such a way that will leave others aware that there is something more to us than just good work ethic. Sarah emodies Jesus’ love for justice. She fights for those without a voice, calls attention to the small things that matter and celebrates others with complete intentionality. I had the honor of being on a team with Sarah for 8 months of the Race and I can say, without a doubt, Sarah changed my life. She taught me how to ask the important questions and to walk confidence. Every day I lived alongside Sarah, she empowered me to be my best ‘me.’ Sarah knows scripture better than anyone I’ve ever met and teaches it in such a way that brings life to every situation. Every room she steps into is changed for the better.
Edna Stoltzfus
Raised on a deer farm on the beautiful countryside of Pennsylvania, is the world-changer, Ms. Edna Stoltzfus. Edna grew up in the Amish with strong convictions, a deep understanding of scripture and tough hands made to work hard. Edna is bold for Jesus. She makes moves that make people’s jaws drop. After leaving the Amish in 2016, she quickly pressed into prayer about what adventure the Lord had for her. That being the World Race, Edna listened and, thankfully, was obedient to the call. I had the pleasure of living the entirety of my World Race journey with Edna. We were on the same team for all 11 months and she challenged me every day. Edna leads with grace and boldness. She doesn’t always believe it, but she is a strong and fierce leader. Edna embodies the consistency of Jesus. This was a gift to me and our interchanging teammates through the Race. As we continually moved homes, switched ministries and learned new languages, I found complete peace in leaning on Edna. She has big dreams and bigger plans because of her confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness. So watch out, World!
Vivi Oliveira
This feisty, yet gentle Brazilian has rocked the boat of A-Squad and beyond! Vivi has definitely left her mark on me, our squad and the World. She leads with passion, speaks with boldness and loves fiercely. Because of her hard work in pursuing knowledge, I learned how to value the little things and question the big things. She can empathize with almost everyone; the traveler, the sojourner and the foreigner. Vivi has a passion to know and to understand. She relentlessly serves and gives of herself, sometimes to the expense of her health. Vivi embodies the piece of Jesus that is “home.” Just as Jesus welcomes the stranger, Vivi invites in the unknown. She makes the unfamiliar person feel like family and continually loves without limitation or condition. If she is ever to be famous for something, it would be the nobel peace prize. Vivi works hard to understand those who are hard to understand. She lives a sacrificial life, changing the atmosphere everywhere she leads.
Miranda Landsman
Another blonde beauty from the shores of Galveston, Ms. Miranda Landsman leads with grace and humility. Miranda is an excellent friend. She loves to love me at my heartbreak and at my triumph. Miranda is the embodiment of Jesus’ bright light to every nation. She celebrates others with genuinity and specificity. Miranda is a bold leader for Jesus in the world. One of my favorite quotes from Miranda this past year, was when someone was asking about her news reporting career. They asked if she worked for the world or the Lord. Her response, “for Jesus, in the world,” displays the light that Miranda is in any and every setting. She is not afraid to shine bright and speak the Lord’s name. She invites others into the rich lessons she is learning in scripture and leads with a desire to be a reflection of Jesus himself.
RJ Taylor
Passion-filled, excellence-driven, grace-redeemed, RJ is a special member of A-Squad. Hailing from his most recent home and secure job in Indianapolis, our squad was blessed by his sacrifice and leadership. From the beginning of knowing RJ, we knew he is a leader. He is not afraid to speak truth in boldness or to ask questions to gain understanding. After being raised up as a Squad Leader at the end of month 4, RJ and his loving wife, Kayla, stepped into a role that required much sacrifice. They led our squad with humility and love. RJ lives his life driven by prayer and passion. He is not afraid of the unknown and ventures into new heights with enthusiasm that excites everyone around him. RJ embodies the emotional heart of Jesus. He feels deeply for others, not shying away to remind them they are loved. He continually sacrifices whatever the Lord asks him to. RJ is a friend to the unfriended, a brother to the mistreated and a father to the orphaned. He has truth written on his heart and the Lord is using him to change the world, one adventure at a time.
Calli Bigham
Sweet, strong and a friend to all: Calli is from the deep south of Waxahachie, Texas. Though we never had the pleasure of being on a team together, Calli taught me so much from day one of knowing her. She has a beautiful desire to know others and a passion to talk to outcast. Calli emodies Jesus’ evangelist heart. She was rightfully voted “most likely to talk to a stranger, English speaking or not” on our squad. Calli is not afraid to share the story of Jesus and what he did for us with anyone! She is so easy to talk to, so much fun to laugh with and so great to befriend by. Calli’s way of life excites me as she draws me out into the uncomfortable and teaches me how to live fearlessly. She is not easily shaken in her faith. She dances without any hesitation. She lives life the the complete fullness of joy in Jesus.
My entire squad has been the biggest blessing to me this past year. I have learned from many of them how to live in boldness. So here’s to you, A-Squad! You are fabulous, daring, strong and driven by the story of Jesus. Congratulations on a year well run! Welcome home good and faithful servants.
