10 Things My Squad Has Learned Since September 11th

The Squad Meeting Point looks and smells like one of the houses we had to clean up during Samaritan’s Purse. Sleeping bags, papers, socks, chargers, Marrissa’s bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and other assorted items litter the floor. This is what happens when 35 people need to all pack at once. We are leaving for Romania tomorrow. I skitter across the room, stepping on someone’s laptop and another’s Pop Tart. I am trying to interview my squadmates above the chatter and packing advice. I want to know what they’ve learned over the period of training and domestic outreach. These men and women are some of the wisest people I know, and I could not be more grateful for this community after God’s own heart. 

Syd: When I asked her what she learned, she grinned broadly and said, “serving out of the abundance of the Father instead of selfish intent. Because He has loved us so deeply, we have nothing else to do but to love one another.” She is inspired by John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Sydnie is such a loving, inclusive person, and every time she smiles she testifies to the Spirit making His home within her. 

Natalie: This woman is beautiful, kind, and strong. During her time so far, God has given her opportunities where she has to love people even when it’s hard. She says that she now has the power to do this because she relies on the Father’s strength to see people the way He sees them. 

Dalton: He has learned that just because something is a good gift from God, it doesn’t mean you should idolize it. “I was idolizing humor,” he said, “which is good thing from God, but not God himself.” He has been given the best humor of almost anyone I know, and the fact that he daily chooses God over his own preference is a testament to the way ‘he has allowed God to rule his life. 

Holly: She had an experience during Samaritan’s Purse that showed her what it means to leave behind everything– expectations, entitlement, and comfort– for the Lord. Over Samaritan’s Purse, she worked on a house that was disastrous. I only heard horror stories about what her team saw that day, but I have personally seen the fruit of it. Holly especially has learned to fully rely on the Lord when she feels her strength or motivation wavering. 

Noah: This man has learned what it means to live in community. One of the best parts of the World Race is the emphasis on community with other believers our age. Physically living in close proximity to each other is one thing, but truly knowing your squadmates and loving them as the family of Christ is so much more. 

Josiah: Over training camp, Josiah has learned what it means to truly follow Christ and not be a lukewarm Christian. I have watched him and others become bold and courageous in their faith during this time in Georgia. He has become secure in his identity in Christ without succumbing to other’s opinions.Josiah is encouraged by 1 Corinthians 1:8, “He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of out Lord Jesus Christ.”

Alyssa: Everyone on my squad has experienced sanctification over the past 2 months. Alyssa has learned that “Refinement can be painful, but God sits with you through the pain.” Her statement is so beautiful, and it reminds me of something we learned during a session: where pain is, God is also there. This applies to the pain we are about to witness in Romania, and also the pain each individual hearts feel. Through this pain, God is faithful in His refinement. 

Jack: 2 Samuel 17:10 says, “Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.” When I asked Jack about what he learned, he typed onto my phone, “how as Christians we tend to put the image of our earthly father onto the image of our Heavenly Father. In other words we view God the same was as we view our dad which causes our view of God to be distorted. When we realize this we learn to see God for who he is which helps us to see him in his fullness and greatness.” God is not like us. He does not fail, He does not die, He does not lie. No matter what lense we use to view our Heavenly Father, He is faithful to reform our knowledge of Him into who He truly is instead of what we make Him out to be. 

EmmaLea: This woman has learned what it means to be humble. The Father has used her time in Gainesville to show her that true humility is never reached. She said thoughtfully, “You will never cease to seek the fathers humility, just when you think you are getting towards the end, God shows you more ways you’re prideful.” 

Maddy: Maddy is bold and joyful. She is a natural leader, but the Lord has taught her that you have to be honoring to authority because God placed it there. “You cannot lead without being willing to be led first.” She reminds me of Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

These people truly embody how men and women of God grow. Their spirits brim with humility, allowing the Father to refine them in ways they never thought He could. Watching them grow is one of the greatest privileges of my life.