Unexpected Team Change

On the World Race, we have leadership on the squad who are called Squad Leaders. We start the Race with Alumni Squad Leaders and after about 5 months, they go home and choose people within the squad to become our Raised up Squad Leaders. After our first month in Honduras, we had a mini debrief in Tegus and in that time we were told who our Raised up Squad Leaders will be.

Two of the 4 ladies who are now receiving training to prepare to step into their new leadership role and say goodbye to our Alumni Squad Leaders were on my team “Las Amadas.” I knew there was a possibility that one of the six girls on my team wouldn’t be on my team anymore for our second month of Honduras. What I didn’t expect was for two girls to be raised up. I did not expect my team of 6 to become a team of 4. 

Before this happened, I was having a conversation about what it would be like to have someone on my team for a month and then have them suddenly not be on my team anymore. It was something I was praying wouldn’t happen. Selfishly, I really loved the team I had and I didn’t want it to change. I knew that my team would not be the same if any one of the girls on it weren’t on it anymore. 

And I was right, our team is not the same. However, just because something is different, doesn’t mean it’s bad. At the time of writing this, it’s been less than a week of being a team of 4, but it’s also been a really sweet time with the girls on my team. We spent our first couple days as a team at a hotel down the mountain because I was still recovering/passing a kidney stone. In those couple of days, we were able to have really good honest conversations. There is a level of vulnerability and intimacy on my team that makes it a really sweet space. 

I’ve also discovered that only having 4 people on a team just creates more space for those honest and vulnerable conversations and increases friendship. I went from one super sweet team to another super sweet team. Sure, the dynamics have changed a bit, but neither one is better or worse. 

I miss the two girls who were raised up. When they were on the team we also had some really good conversations and sweet friendships were being built. I also know that those girls will be wonderful leaders. Them, along with the other 2 girls who are being raised up, have beautiful hearts. They all value their relationship with God, as well as the individuals on this squad and the unity that we have as the body of Christ. I know that they will lead our squad well and I know that I will still be able to keep building sweet friendships with each of them. 

Through this unexpected team change, I’m thankful for the perspective shift on this sudden change. The realization that change doesn’t always mean something will get worse or better. Things can be great, then change happens, and things can still be great. 

To Las Amadas, 

Our team of 6 was an incredible month on the mountain. I love you all dearly and am so thankful for the month we had together. To the 4 of us left, things are kind of crazy right now, but I have loved our time of just the 4 of us immensely. You all taught me so much in the short amount of time that we were together. Thanks for being great 🙂