I thought for sure I would be on the PNG hiking team. A day before the teams were to be announced, our leader (Naomi) came to me and asked if I would be okay with not getting my first choice. I wanted so badly to be on the "crazy, adventure team" but when I prayed about it felt like God just said, "Be open." So, I said "yes".
Our teams were announced.... all the other teams were jumping up and down, screaming, so excited. Our team blankly stared at each other. Could this be wrong? God really know what He was doing? I think deep down we were all a little disappointed. Of all the odd mixes of personalities, we were like the "left over" team. And, my leaders were the two staff members I knew the least.... neither had lead an Outreach before.
Don't get me wrong, I really liked everyone on our DTS a lot! And, I really liked all of the individuals on my team.... but together? We only had 2 guys.... one was the youngest person on our DTS, the other was hard to get to know and kept to himself a lot. Of us 8 girls, we had the quietest, girly-girls. If you wanted fashion advice you would come to our team but definitely not to build houses in East Timor! Other than Rachel and Malloree, I felt I hardly knew anyone on the team. The first few meetings it was hard to even fake excitement about being on this team. I think we all felt it.
Our first Outreach in Australia got off to a decent start. We had a lot of good ideas and things seemed pretty easy. We worked in schools and with youth groups a lot. Not really what I wanted to be doing, but it wasn't too bad. There were still little divides going on but we hardly noticed. Certain girls seemed to group together. Some people seemed like they didn't speak up or have much of a voice.
A week in, things exploded. It didn't help that it rained non-stop and we were stuck in a big open church with no where to go. Our leaders had left to run errands and we were planning the day's events. No one could agree. People started speaking disrespectfully.... the small tensions went to large tensions. After arguing, praying, throwing out ideas, arguing more.... nothing concluded. Finally, I lost my temper and stormed out of the church we were staying in. I knew if I stayed I'd say something I would regret. I sat in a tree in the rain with my Bible and wanted so badly to hitch-hike back to Townsville. I wanted so badly to say "I quit! I didn't come halfway around the world to revert to a petty 18 year old!"
One of the girls and I had been good friends up to this point. I adored her! Since being on Outreach, I felt like we faced off a lot. I was mad at her but didn't know why or have a reason. Needless to say, our leaders came back, we apologized to each other, prayed, and things definitely got better. Not great, but better.
We all returned from our first 3 weeks of Outreach. All of the teams had a good time but definitely some struggles with unity and personalities. Then, we had a week of lectures on Spiritual Warfare. The more the lecture spoke, the more I realized how I had let little thoughts and attitudes open doors to Satan getting a foothold. I looked back on our team and saw it clear as day that we had all played right into it without even knowing!
We got together as a team and talked about it. We all saw it. We all saw where we went wrong. We apologized and prayed together specifically about our attitudes and unity. I met with Mal separately and apologized for my attitude against her. I felt so terrible that I had been so angry with her over nothing, realizing it was all created in my own mind. Being the oldest, I should have been way more focused on the team and their needs rather than my own. I was so impressed with her response and forgiveness.... she had a depth of character and faith I needed to be learning from. Somewhere in that week, we really became a team. I was given a heart for everyone on the team, seeing the value in their unique nature.
Right before we left on our second Outreach, the base prayed for us. I remember specifically they prayed for "Unity" and "Joy". Something we didn't have the first time around.
PRAYER WORKS! Our second Outreach in Darwin and East Timor was one of the biggest blessings. We had so much fun together. No matter what the task I remember laughing with everyone. When we made decisions as a team, I felt like people were being heard, opinions mattered, we respected each other. The girls I hardly knew, I realized I had a ton in common with! Ben and Sam really stepped up as men and leaders! Maddie and Chelsea, our leaders, were streamlined and effective, they listened to us and really considered every decision with prayer.
When it came to living in a "shed" in East Timor and building houses, our "girly-girls" became experts. Everyone worked so hard, stepped up to every task at hand, and did it with a great attitude. I was so impressed by their maturity!
God put this team together. He knew in all of our weakness there was a strength to impact our Outreach locations.... and each other. We were more than a team, we became a family. I can't imagine serving with any other 11 people.
God taught me many lessons through this "left-over" team.... What appears to be the most mismatched, unlikely group anything is possible through putting God first. And, never make pre-assumptions about people and situations.... what you think will be an uphill battle usually turns out to be one of the best things in your life!
Our team: Maddie was a prayer warrior with a deep seeded joy... and grew a ton as a leader. Chelsea was sweet and nurturing. She cared deeply about people's hearts.
Sam had a deep understanding in spiritual matters, he was smart and mature for his age but also brought a fun element in still being "a boy" at heart. Ben lead well; he helped us with block laying.... put up with a lot of girly topics of conversation, pursued God, and could captivate an audience with his speaking.
Liz was very creative and full of ideas for teaching and projects. She was sweet and every minute of free time had her Bible open, working her way relentlessly through the Word. Courtney loved deeply... she fell in love with the kids in East Timor, spending every free moment with them. She had an amazing ability to hear from God in every situation.
Katie was thoughtful, considering everyone's needs before her own. She worked hard in everything she did whether anyone was looking or not. Hannah was our super star. There wasn't anything she wouldn't try and succeed at... everything was done to perfection, she learned the local language quickly, learned guitar, excelled at every sport we played and did it all with a smile.
Fanny was very passionate and compassionate. She is training to be a doctor and it's clear her concern for people's well-being. She also has a very spunky, and hilarious side. "Making laugh people" as she would say. Malloree stepped up in an older sister, leader role to the team. She made sure people were doing well emotionally. She made friends throughout the little village with the old and young.
Finally, Rachel, displayed an amazing faith from her very quiet nature. She kept people grounded (especially me), had a fantastic attitude in all that we did. And, just used her calming nature to keep the team united.
No comments:
Post a Comment