I love Team Naya

Hey family and friends! We are nearly halfway through our time in Guatemala. I can hardly believe that we have just over six months left on this race. Time is going so quickly! I want to share some testimonies of what God is doing in and through our team…

It’s been quite the joy to lead Team Naya. If I had to give a word to describe our team at this point, I’d say “sisterhood”. It feels like I have 7 little sisters and I’m obsessed (& missing you so much, @kailaperrault!). Between the contagious laughter, the endless sharing of clothes, the 0.5’s, the chore chart, and the hard and sweet conversations, our team embraces the truth that God has grafted us into his family, and so we are sisters. I love these girls so much and am grateful that we get to do life together. 

Team Naya is eager to know the Lord deeper and has stepped out of their comfort zones to grow and serve! During our week of local ministry in Gainesville, our team went to Good Samaritan Food Ministry. Though we were prepared to wash vans, when we showed up we were asked to assemble boxes of food for their food pantry that evening. During our week of domestic ministry, our squad set out to do construction on homes in Harlem Heights, a neighborhood in Fort Myers, FL. My team was assigned to base operations, where we cooked all meals for the squad and cleaned the AIM ROC base instead of construction. We are now placed with a ministry in Guatemala called Dar Para Dar. Our ministry hosts are led by the Spirit and frequently change our ministry schedule or plans. Each of these scenarios have been beautiful opportunities for the team to be flexible and open handed with our expectations. I’ve been so proud of the ways Team Naya has adapted to each change with grace and humility to serve in whatever way we can! When we talk about flexing and moving with the Spirit, we commonly joke that we thrive when “washing vans”! 

In other news, nearly every week since training camp began, our team has faced a variety of sickness and injury. Many girls have had strep, colds, ankle/foot injuries, and more. Nevertheless, they continued to serve, to love one another, and to rely on the Lord. We’ve seen God reveal himself to us as Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. One week, Emma tore her ACL while playing soccer. The Holy Spirit whispered to Arwyn that He’d heal Emma in two days. Two days later, Emma was fully healed!! She now runs, jumps, walks, and worships with no pain! Praise God! Another time, Arwyn was praying that God would heal her from her allergies, and she can now eat dairy and gluten without any discomfort or reactions! Amen!! It’s been faith-building, challenging, and humbling to walk through all of the physical sickness and injury of our team. God has sustained us every step of the way. Please join me in prayer for the health of our team and the way that will allow us to fully embrace ministry!

Our team is enjoying time together, too. We continue to see God knit our hearts together in love for one another. I want to share some things that I love about each one of my girls! 

Ceciley is hungry for the Lord. She is quick to remind us to Ask The Lord (ATL) about any decisions we get to make. She is so willing to serve and she cares for people so well. I see her walking in discernment and awareness of the Lord’s voice, and it’s so beautiful! I love conversations with Ceciley!

Ella is kind, humble, and steady. She is disciplined in spending time seeking the Lord and the time she spends with him bears so much fruit! She reminds me of Jesus in her gentle and lowly posture. She makes people feel safe and seen in conversations, and I value that in our team and in friendship with her. I love when she’s present in the room!

Deborah is a woman who values truth and honesty. She is joyful and reflects the Father’s heart in his care for people and their needs. She’s passionate about worship and is empowering people to lead us into the presence of God. I love when Deborah shares her heart and lets us in. She’s a treasured possession of the Most High God, and I adore her!

Emma has a contagious laugh that lights up any room. She is growing in boldness and I’ve been so encouraged by her obedience to share what God puts on her heart for others, whether to the squad or at home visits. Her words are powerful and she’s been proclaiming God’s healing in her life! I love listening when Emma is sharing testimonies of the Lord! 

Arwyn is so caring. She is gifted in mercy and comforts people just like I believe Jesus did. Her heart is tender and she is so strong. She steps out of comfort zones and is hungry to embrace all of the abundant life Jesus offers. I’ve been encouraged by her faith that God will move and heal. I love exactly who God has made Arwyn to be. She’s loved, chosen, holy, blameless, seen, & valuable.  

Elise is passionate and vibrant. Her love for theater, performance, and dancing are evident as she does ministry with kids, dances in our room, and spends time with the squad. She is quick to pray and boldly brings our requests to the Lord. She is learning and growing with eagerness. I love getting to know Elise’s heart, and I’m the biggest fan of her goofy faces!

Abby is a woman who seeks to understand those around her with refreshing humility. I love getting to see her bridge gaps in conversations and bring peace. She’s not afraid of challenge, and is quick to allow the Lord to teach her something or convict her in a new way. I admire that about her. She has a high value for friendship, and I love being her friend.

All in all, I love Team Naya. Please continue to pray for our team as we seek to love the Lord with all of our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Team Naya, if you’re reading this, comment your favorite team memory so far!! ILYSM.