new ground

In one of my last posts I shared about the transition that God has been bringing me into in going from team leader to squad leader (if you haven’t read it, its titled barefoot). Before, I was on team Fiercely Loved and served with them for the first four months. Then in month five I was training for squad leader. Now it’s month six. Our alumni squad leaders, Jenny and Hannah, have now returned home and it’s just Sara and I on the field as squad leaders.

One fun aspect of squad leading is that I get to bounce from team to team each month. I get to enter a teams space and do life with them for the month, coming along side of them and loving them big. After each month, I will move to a new and different team in the squad and join them for that month. With this constant change, I want to bring you guys into that aspect of my journey. With that in mind, I will be doing a blog each month introducing you to the team that I am with that month.

This month we are in India. It’s a country full of color, chai, and curry. It’s a new continent and country with new people, new sights, new sounds, new culture, and new ground. Yes, I am joining team New Ground this month! Here is a little bit about these fine individuals.

 

Maddie AKA Mads

 

 

Age: 25

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Describe yourself in 3 words: kind, redheaded & fun

Favorite month so far and why:freaking INDIA!! I have never felt so instantaneously embraced by a culture or by people who I have never met. The people of India want to love you & serve you, yet they know nothing about you. There is chai tea daily, hugs from sweet kids whole call you “sister,” & miracles happening all around.

Biggest thing God is showing you so far on the race:God is showing me I am not what o bring to the table, or what I have to offer. He is showing me my worth is found in Him, being a daughter of the most high king – that is all I will ever need.

Most awkward thing that’s happened to you so far on the race:When I was trying to speak Spanish to our cab driver (just to practice) I was telling him my name, favorite color, favorite animal – because that was about all I could say. The next thing that came out of my mouth was: ¿te gusto salsa? (Do you like sauce?). Ridiculous I know. Buuuuut I was asking him that because we were going salsa dancing later & I wanted to knowing he liked to salsa!! The most awkward & funny & memorable things on the race are the things lost in translation.

If you could be one type of cereal, which would you be and why: Coco pebbles for sure. I’d be tanner than I am now, still pretty sweet, & who wouldn’t want to be made out of chocolate?!

When praying for Maddie I saw her standing over the well at our Indian home. As she throws the bucket down into the well, she pulls it up filled to the brim with water. She pours the bucket out then refills it in the well, so on and so forth. Maddie continues to pour herself out. Whether that is for her team, or for those she ministers to. But she always goes back to the well to refill. She returns to her source of life, Jesus Christ, who always wants to fill her back up to overflowing.

Sarah AKA Deb

 

 

Age: 24

Hometown: Flowery Branch, GA

Describe yourself in 3 words: Outgoing, Childlike, & Spontaneous

Favorite month so far and why: Santa Cruz, Bolivia- We spent the month working with homes for children who were removed from destructive homes, abusive environments, and street violence. God was able to lead me into boldness and allowed me to be poured into by the locals. As a team we created a unique relationship with our ministry host (aka Dad). It was a sweet time of seeing him as the Father on earth.

Biggest thing God is showing you so far on the race: My key for the journey was BE. Each month God has placed a different word for BE on my heart. Before the Race I thought I had to do things in order to be a good Christian. Since coming on the Race God has shaken my perspective. I can be a good Christian by doing the works of Jesus. He has allowed so many cool things to happen when I was willing to give him control of my perspectives.

Most awkward thing that’s happened to you so far on the race: One time our ministry host took us into a village for a few days. When we arrived the family gave us time to sleep before doing ministry. During my nap I woke up to go to the bathroom. As I was walking to the bathroom I ran into their 8 year old son watching us sleep in our room. He extended his hand to shake mine. I was so confused and disoriented that I went back to lay down.

If you could be one type of cereal, which would you be and why: Lucky Charms- simply because they are magically delicious. I love the mixture of crunchy, sweet, and colorful. Just like me!

As I was praying for Sarah I simply saw her laying at the feet of the cross. She had emptied all that was in her hands. Because she was empty handed, she was able to life up her hands to Jesus and give him all the honor, praise and glory He deserves. Sarah lives from a place of surrender and although she may be empty handed, she gives Jesus all she has.

Courtney AKA Corn Flakes

Age: 24

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

Describe yourself in 3 words: Vibrant, lively, colorful

Favorite month so far and why: Bolivia (Argentina is tied tbh). Our team became part of the family and we even called our host Papa Juan. It was just so sweet to belong and be a part of the beautiful change they were making in the city of La Paz.

Biggest thing God is showing you so far on the race: Whew. So many things. Biggest? Um. I think God has taught me so much about how He is a global God but that my identity in Him never gets lost just because of how massive He is. So, He is a global God and that is beautiful, but He is also an individual God that loves each of us where we are.

Most awkward thing that’s happened to you so far on the race: well, there was this one time I pooped my pants. Don’t judge. Food poisoning is real.

If you could be one type of cereal, which would you be and why: lucky charms. Cause they are fabulous, obviously.

When praying for Court, I saw her singing loud with a big, bright smile on her face. She as such a beautiful voice. As she sang and worshipped the Lord, walls were falling down all around her; her walls but the walls of those around her too. I know God is working through her (and her voice) to bring freedom to those around her.

 

 

Dan AKA Dan the Man

Age: 25

Hometown: Klamath falls, OR

Describe yourself in 3 words: full of life

Favorite month so far and why: Argentina it was a struggle with time management. With struggle comes growth. the area we were in serving at the ywam camp stole my heart. Such beautiful people and such an awesome adventuring ministry with ropes corses repelling, hiking, rafting and loving on the youth of argentina

Biggest thing God is showing you so far on the race: How to live in community and love others daily in deeper intimate ways.

Most awkward thing that’s happened to you so far on the race: India getting held by the pastor Samson

If you could be one type of cereal, which would you be and why: fruity pebbles! because they are super fun and leave a good taste in your mouth.

When praying for Dan I saw him as a mighty warrior. I saw him fighting hard in the armies of the Lord and waging war against the enemy. But I also saw him as a butterfly, with a sweet and gentle nature about him. He loves God and others so deeply and looks for ways to uplift those around him and glorify the Lord in all he does.

Wesley AKA Wezzzley

 

Age: 30

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Describe yourself in 3 words: Silly, serious, stupendous!

Favorite month so far and why: They are all unique and special! So I’ll say it this way!

Colombia: the love of the families and discipleship from our pastor

Ecuador: Cru team and God’s work in students

Peru: jungle living and time with the villagers

Bolivia : rehab kids and the staff

India: curry, chai, and the friendly people

Biggest thing God is showing you so far on the race: That he loves me fully as a son and that all he wants is for me to hang out with him more and more!

Most awkward thing that’s happened to you so far on the race: Can’t think of any! My life is just full of awkward that it become normal. Just watch my VLOGs!

If you could be one type of cereal, which would you be and why: Oh the one with 7 kinds of grain and flaxseed and all that good stuff. Because I was addicted to it for months and months at one point. It’s healthy. Taste great. Looks fun. Tastes fun. So why not!

When praying for Wes, I saw him as a giant tree; standing tall, firm, strong and healthy. The reason why he has grown into this tree is because everything he does and everything he is, is sustained by the Father. He gets his source of life from God and God alone. The sun, the oxygen, the soil, the rain— it is all God sustaining his life. Wes is able to withstand even the toughest of storms because his means of life is found in the Lord alone.

Team New ground is made up of some pretty awesome humans and I am happy to be a part of their family this month!