Posted in General Posts by Lauren Williamson on 6/17/2010
The last few years the Lord has been teaching me about identity. It’s something we all have to process through at some point in our lives. Who am I? Who do I want to be? Who does God say that I am? While I was in Zambia God taught me so much about the power of names and the effect they can have on each of us. (Read about that more here) And then when I researched what my own name meant I drew so much power and strength from it that I wanted everyone else to experience it as well with their own name. I originally started working on this for a Christmas present for the Squad, but then there was the technology ban and Africa so it kept being pushed to the side. God has blessed me with time this month, our last month, to finish it for you guys, my family for the past year. It’s just a small gift for each of you, letting you know how much I love you, and how wonderfully your names identify you as mighty men and women of God.
Amanda Jane Amanda means loveable; Jane can mean gracious or merciful. I don’t think there could ever be a more fitting name for you! It is so easy to love you and you have an ability to make others feel loved as well. And your ability to make others feel loved comes from your willingness to serve and give whatever you can. And I love that you believe you’re loveable. That’s something I’ve seen you grown in over the past year. But you haven’t just believed it more. I feel like there is a direct correlation between the love you experience from the Father and the love you show to the people surrounding you. You just can’t keep it to yourself and have to share His love with others. Keep giving and keep drowning in his love for you, Amanda.
Andrea Hope Andrea means warrior, brave, virile; Hope “means” trust, faith, expectation, belief. Andrea you are a warrior. I feel like you could stand up next to just about anything and have the faith and determination to persevere. Like David facing Goliath, you know that the simplest weapons will always result in victory. Your faith is something to be rivaled by most believers and the faith you have brings so many people hope. For you it never seems to a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”; you know He is faithful until the end. It has encouraged me countless times on the Race and He’s going to continue to use you to increase people’s faith for the rest of your life.
April Lynn April means to open (budding in the spring); Lynn can mean lake, waterfall, or pretty. I’ve seen you blossom on the Race so beautifully April! Like the beginning of spring, you bring life to those around you. No one can be around you for more than 5 minutes without being uplifted by your lightheartedness and your free spirit. It flows freely in everything you do. Thanks for bringing me so much joy and life every time I was with you. You spread the joy of the Lord so effortlessly and I hope you know how wonderful that gift truly is. God continually uses you to breathe life into His children and wants to continue to use you to set countless people free.
Ashley Janell Ashley can mean ash meadow, power, sacrifice, or sensitivity; Janell means “God is gracious” or gracious. An interesting thing about ash trees is that they’re known for their suppleness and flexibility. The Lord has given you so many gifts and so many opportunities already. With everything you’ve struggled through, He has prepared you for just about anything. I think that means He’s going to use you in so many different ways over the years. He’s going to continue strengthening you in the gifts you’re already aware of, but He’s also going to reveal to you even more that you’re capable of. The grace that He has abundantly covered you with is so evident in the way you interact with those around you. You love people so effortlessly sometimes I feel like I’m getting a first-hand viewing of how God showers His love upon us. He’s got big things for you Higgs.
Ashley Brooke Ashley can mean ash meadow, power, sacrifice, or sensitivity; Brooke means water, small stream You are so refreshing to people. Ashley, I don’t know if I have ever been around you without a huge grin on my face. You rejoice in the life God has given you and invigorate the people around you to take another look at what they have been blessed with and see the good in that. When I read that your name means water or stream, for some reason I pictured you dumping a huge bucket of ice water on yourself and running around dancing. Haha and I love that that’s something you’d actually do! You make people want to be themselves and help them love who God created them to be, Your ability to empathize with people is unparalleled and your heart for people is so big I know that it has to be the love of God pouring out of you.
Bambi Nicole Bambi means little girl or child; Nicole means “people of victory” Your name is one of my favorites, Bambs. It’s almost like you have two sides to you. First there’s this one that exhibits mercy to those who need the love of God. Seeing the Lord break your heart for the people of this world is one of the most beautiful transformations I’ve seen. Any time you felt broken I could just picture you curled up in the lap of your Abba, your Dad, weeping as He just held you close to his chest and caressed your hair. But if you’ve ever exhibited anything, it’s power. I hope you know that. You are a leader, without a doubt, and wherever that leads you, victory will follow in tow. You demand people stop living for the world and start living for the Lord and you do anything you can to get them to a place of holy submission to their Father. Thanks for pushing me, and loving me the entire way.
Bethany Michelle Bethany means “house of figs”; Michelle means “who resembles God” If anyone’s name should mean a fruit, it’s you. You are a great example to me of a faithful farmer, continually planting the seed and reaping the harvest. Every minute you spend with God is not just to fulfill some quota or make you feel like a better Christian; you take what He reveals to you and teaches you and directly put it into practice. I don’t even recognize you from the beginning of the Race. You have been transformed because you were never afraid to obey when He called. You truly resemble God, Bethany, and your face radiates like His with the joy and love He’s poured out on you throughout the Race.
Birkleigh Dawn Birkleigh means birch tree meadow; Dawn is the first appearance of light, daybreak. Want to know something cool about birch trees? Well their name actually comes from a combination of German and Proto-Indo-European roots that mean “white, bright, or to shine”. Along with your middle name, I think this perfectly identifies you. You are a pure, white as snow, daughter of the King, washed clean by His Son’s blood. And through this transformation of cleansing and refining, the Lord has polished you up so brightly that you can’t help it: you shine all the time. Even when surrounded by darkness, you’re still beaming, a beacon of freedom to those lost in the shadows.
Casey Brennan Casey means alert, watchful; Brennan means teardrop Your name illustrates the two-fold strengths that God has given you. You are always on the look out, to protect those around you, but also for ways to serve other people. You notice things that need to be done and do them without being asked and expecting nothing in return. But you also have an ability to empathize with people that is most obvious when you pray for someone’s healing. And you trust what your heart is telling you and have the faith to make miracles happen. I think that’s why God continues to use you to heal people, Case. He sees your faith and He sees your heart for them. He sees the way you love the people you pray for and so desperately want to see them healed. He’s going to keep using you too. I really think the Race was just the beginning, Phase 1, just the activation of this thick anointing upon your hands. Keep an eye out for who He’s calling you to pray for and the next steps He’s asking you and Erin to take. I think they’re going to be more like leaps than steps. But if anyone has the energy and passion to leap into the unfamiliar full force, it’s you and your wife.
Daina Maria Daina means folk song or “God is my judge”; Maria means star of the sea Daina you’re a song! And a star! You are not even remotely a resemblance to the person you were 11 months ago. God’s love and continual pursuit of your heart has left you a shining beacon in the night sky. You exhibit freedom and the transforming power of God’s truths with every word you speak. And every song you sing. Your new passion for worship is just one essence of the transformation that has occurred in you this year. You are a powerful and mighty woman of God that the Lord has redeemed and appointed to do good works in His name. The way you love people is just one of the many ways that you are Christ to the rest of the world. But you love in a way that most people can’t even comprehend, let alone walk in. Thanks for always loving me and walking with me (sometimes even carrying me) into new realms of freedom.
Danielle Madeline Danielle means “God is my judge”; Madeline means “woman from Magdala” So Magdala is technically a location. But the location’s name came from two words, an Aramaic one meaning “elegant, great, or magnificent” and a Hebrew one meaning “tower”. Magdala was also the name of a high stronghold in Ethiopia. These fit you so wonderfully Danielle. You are such a woman of strength and perseverance. You rightfully fear the Lord and stand firm in your foundation of His ending love for you. And your beauty and elegance are a testament to the fact that you are royalty, a daughter of the King of Kings. You always make those around you feel better about themselves and I just always feel so beautiful after spending time with you. Your confidence is contagious and so is your joy :)
David Benjamin David means beloved; Benjamin means “son of the right hand”, “son of the south”, or “son of my old age” It’s almost not fair how cool your name is! You are the Beloved One, David. The son of God. Our squad is where we are now because of you. Your faith in who your Dad is and your refusal to settle pushed each and every person to new levels of faith and created an atmosphere allowing miracles to happen. You are a shining example of a Man of God and raise the bar for the men on our squad to step out over and over again and walk in their identities as sons of God as well.
Denise Janell Denise means “follower of Dionysus”; Janell means “God is gracious” or gracious. Ok when I first read this I thought it was funny that your name references a Greek God. But when I looked up who Dionysus was I rejoiced at how fitting it is to you! It was believed that Dionysus was “the god who inspires joyful worship, ecstasy, and celebration”. It also said that Dionysus was typically the god of the epiphany, "the god that comes". He was also known as the “Liberator”. The divine mission of Dionysus was to use music to bring an end to care and worry. How neat is that! Your free spirit and joy ooze out of every piece of you and out of everything you do. And your passion to worship God is such a huge part of who you are and your relationship with the Lord. And your generosity, willingness to serve others, and power to heal wounds is a bright shining example to me of the grace of God. (Oh and just a side note, Dionysus is also the god of fertility…just saying!)
Dez (Desiree) Lyssa Desiree means “much desired”; Lyssa means noble, exalted, rational, God’s promise, “God is my oath”, cheerful, lighthearted, or exalted nature Dez-O! I love that your name means so many different things! God has given you an energy and passion that has taken you in so many different areas and revealed that you are gifted in so many different ways. God desires you Dez. In every way, God wants all of you. You are exalted as a royal daughter of the King, clothed in purple and crowned with unending promises for a future and a hope. He has so many plans for you and you have so much potential I can’t even begin to describe it to you. Through your music, you shift people’s hearts into where they should be: tender toward the Lord and in a state of worship. And your love for people brings so much joy and you continually lighten my heart. Anytime I hear you laugh, I can’t help but laugh too! You have grown into such a strong woman of God this year and I can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
Drea (Andrea) Marie Andrea means warrior, brave, or virile; Marie means star of the sea I should have guessed that your name would mean warrior. You have claimed your identity as a mighty woman of God this year. As the thief was trying to grad hold of you, you walked straight into the pits of hell and took back your freedom directly from his deceitful hands. You refused to let him have control anymore. But then you went a step further and took the freedom you gained and surrendered it straight back up to God. Wow. To be honest, sometimes I’m intimidated by you. You are fearless and have a boldness in stepping out that makes darkness flee before you. You are unique and He has unique plans for you, Drea. I like the “star of the sea” image too. I keep thinking that a star is supposed to be high above in the heavens, but this one’s not. You are a chunk of heaven in the raging waters, determined to calm the sea and bring more heaven down here in any way you can. Get. It.
Elizabeth Pendleton Elizabeth means “God’s promise” or “God is my oath”; Pendleton is an overhanging settlement or the town at the head of the valley Okay so Pendleton really made this whole thing difficult. Haha. But I can’t help but appreciate the imagery of it. Your name just emanates this feeling of strength to me. Elizabeth Pendleton Bureman. Strength in God’s Promise. Strength as the head, the structure that people look towards to derive hope. You are a strong woman Liz, and with your bosom of comfort you have a remarkable ability to calm the hearts of those seeking peace. I would need ten more hands to count out how many times you’ve just allowed me to cry on you. Especially this last month, just your presence gave me comfort. You bring me peace. I love that you love who you are and walk in faith of the oaths God has made with you. He has authored your faith and is perfecting it more and more every single day. Your firm footing draws people to you and you do an amazing job of loving people just as they are. I feel better about myself when I’m around you because you love so much like I think God loves. Accepting and always wiling to let someone rest their head upon you.
Erin Janett Erin means from Ireland or peace; Janett means “God is gracious” Do you remember in Ireland how easy it was to find peace? I felt like when I was there, all I had to do was look at the greenness of it all and my soul would settle down and rest. Or at Giant’s Causeway, the way that it all seemed so big and yet it fit. There was a serenity in that place. I think that’s the same feeling you give a lot of people. You have this uncontrollable energy that gives you a passion for life unrivaled by anyone I know (with the possible exception of your husband). But as crazy as you guys can be, you have this ability to calm people’s spirits. Whether you are just talking with them or praying with them, you let people know that you care and you’re right there fighting with them. And your middle name just confirms that you and Case will get all you need for the Race and that your Provider will take of you for the rest of your days. Wherever He calls you, He’s excited to show you how well He can provide for you and how big of a Provider He really is. This is just the beginning.
George Myles George means farmer; Myles means soldier, merciful, or easy to please Texas boy’s name had to mean farmer. Haha your name is so descriptive of your strength and yet your vulnerability. You have a way of pushing people to the next level and demanding that they embrace who God created them to be. But you also have a gift to make people feel loved. You are so intentional with people and have the ability to really empathize with what they’re feeling. You can make people feel loved just by saying “Good Morning” or giving them an impromptu hug. But there is no way you’re letting any of us settle for anything less than the plans God has for us. Thanks for that. And you are actively sowing the seeds and reaping the harvest. You might need to start wearing your plaid shirt more often, to truly fit the part, but God has so many more seeds for you to plant and so much more harvesting to take part in.
Grant Kurtis Grant means tall, big, great, or grand; Kurtis means courtier You have a presence about you, especially when you worship. It’s like you just left the throne room of God. Your face radiates and you reek of the fragrance of God. You walk with your head held high, confident in your identity as a son of God. And you worship with a confidence that God will meet with you and your praise will fall upon His ears, bringing Him glory. And your heart to bring others with you into God’s presence is such a beautiful thing to witness. You have the heart of a servant and it’s humbling to be around you. The love you pour out on people is so much like the woman who poured her entire bottle of perfume on Jesus’ feet. She wasn’t ashamed of her actions because she was honoring her King through them. You’re not afraid to love people just as they are and you’re not afraid to pour all of yourself out because you know that it is pleasing in the eyes of God. He’s going to continue using your gift for worship for long time for a wide array of people. He wants to use you to usher more and more of His children into His presence and lead more and more people into His Kingdom.
Heather Elaine Heather means flowering bush or upper class aura; Elaine means sunray or shining light You’re a flowering bush! How pretty! The cool thing about Heather bushes is that they’re evergreens and that typically they grow in less than accommodating environments. You’re roots in the Word are so deep. You have so much wisdom. This past year you have blossomed and bloomed, further conquering the elements of darkness that the enemy has persecuted you with. You’re not walking away from the Race the same person. You’ve demanded more and the Lord has fulfilled that in you. And the passions the Lord has instilled in you radiate throughout your life. Ministry isn’t a 9-5, “when are we done”, thing for you. You give your all to whomever you’re with and I was left standing in awe almost every day by your endless passion to love people and to pursue them. Where as so many people are distracted by apathy and the hustle and bustle of the world, you know that there is nothing more important than loving people. You are a shining light to everyone around you of true pursuit and the unending love of God.
Heather Lorraine Heather means flowering bush or upper class aura; Lorraine means “from Lorraine” (a province in France) There’s something about Heather bushes that immediately caught my attention for you. Did you know that heather bushes usually sprout up in harsh and barren land? Yep. And that when they finally bloom they usually bud flowers that are in shades of purple? Yep yep. And that they’re an evergreen? I see so much parallel in this with you. You have taken a Race that started out hard and broke you down and transformed it into an opportunity for you to blossom into a beautiful woman of God. You are claiming your identity as the Beloved of God and as heavenly royalty. And now that you have broken through, there is NO way you are ever going back! This race has just been the first tiny step on a life-long path of glory and righteousness. I think you are going to play huge roles in young women’s lives in the future, walking them through similar transformation processes, leading them into magnificent freedom just like you’ve experienced. You are so beautiful and I am so thankful to have had you loving on me so endlessly.
Hollis Carling Hollis means “near the holly bushes” or “dweller at the holly trees”; Carling means little champion And interesting fact about holly bushes is that in the winter the berries are hard and unable to be eaten. But after being frozen, the berries soften and become milder in taste. I can’t help but find so much symbolism in that. There are pieces of you still unable to be consumed by the Lord. But it’s through struggles and perseverance in times where you might feel like you’re freezing and alone, that fruit comes out. You can produce fruit all day long, but the fruit that goes through the storm and comes out able to be consumed by others and able to nourish others, is the fruit of a plant whose roots are deeply grounded in the Lord. Another cool thing is that during winter storms, birds often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection, and food. I know I’m not the only one, but I could not have done this Race without you Hollis. You were always a shelter from the storms going on. You were always someone I could go to for protection and to be fed and lifted up. Holly is also used to symbolize truth, something you are powerful in proclaiming. Your friendship and your encouragement is a true gift and I am so humbled to have received it this year.
Jennifer Lee Jennifer means fair one; Lee means pasture or meadow Ever since I discovered this is what your name means, I can’t hear the word “fair” and not think of you. There’s a song I listen to a lot lately (Do you know the way you move me, by Cory Asbury) and it’s just God speaking over His Beloved. Throughout the whole song he frequently says “You’re my Fair One” and it always makes me think of you. You have so much anointing over your life, Jenn. I half-expect you to be walking around looking like you’ve been dunked in a vat of oil, because of the thick anointing He has upon you. I’ve always admired the way you walk confidently in your identity as the Bride of Christ. You trust in who He says you are and who He has created you to be, and you refuse to give in to any lie the enemy throws at you. You exude power and boldness and yet you embrace your femininity and what defines you as a woman. You have a mighty elegance. You’re like Eowyn in Lord of the Rings (sorry I tried not to be dorky, but I can only last for so long): a beautiful maiden who could have lived a good life doing her duties and going on with life the way it’s always been lived. But you refused to settle and demanded not just a good life, but a spectacular life filled with the promises of God. And He sees everything you have sacrificed and your obedience and has abundant rewards and treasures set aside specifically for you.
Joel Keith Joel means “Jehovah is the Lord”; Keith means woodland or forest There is a lot of strength in your name, Joel. Like a forest of ancient trees, firmly rooted in the ground, unshakable to the elements after all the trials they’ve already been through over the years. And the deep roots just continue to spread as the days go on. Your feet are firmly planted now and God wants nothing more than for you to proclaim who He is. You have a gift to teach and to preach and He wants you to use the voice that He has given you to announce to His children that He is Lord over their lives. You are strong and as long as you are rooted in the Truth of God’s Word you’ll continue growing and go from a single tree to being completely surrounded by the fruit of your words.
Joseph Harold Joseph means “Jehovah increases”; Harold means army ruler or “one who proclaims” I don’t think it’s any secret that your words are powerful, Joe Bunting. And as much as we pick on you for your middle name, it just further identifies you as a man of God who has a gift for proclamation. I can’t help but think of the parable of the talents. The servants were each given their share and the ones that multiplied it, the ones that used the gift that had been given to them, were entrusted with even more when the master saw the fruit of their labor. Your potential is unlimited when it comes to the effect you will have on this world for the Kingdom of God if you just continue to use your gift and grow in it. And through your obedience to the Father, His kingdom will grow and His presence on this earth will increase because of your confidence in your gifts and the practice of proclaiming from the rooftops who your God is.
Julia Julia means youthful, beautiful, or vivacious You’re vivacious Julia! I love your energy and your heart to serve those around you. I feel like any conversation I’ve had with you, I’ve left feeling encouraged and lifted up. And anytime I think of you I automatically picture you with a smile on your face, laughing. You have a joy that is contagious to the people around you, whether it’s the squad or the people you’re serving. God continually uses you to speak life into those around you and energize those you come in contact with. You are filled with the joy of God and I love that you couldn’t even contain it if you tried. The trust you have in your identity as a woman of God is something to be rivaled and it carries over to the way you speak and the way you love every single person around you. Thanks for letting me experience the joy of the Lord through you.
Kathleen Elizabeth Kathleen means pure; Elizabeth means “God’s promise” or “God is my oath” One of my favorite things about you, Katie, is your belief and faith in the promises God has made to you. I love that you continually proclaim, “I will raise the dead!” It’s not an “if” for you. So many people would be afraid to embrace that calling or shy away from confessing it to people. But not you! You grab hold of His will for you and refuse to let go. And it’s because of that that God is going to rain down infinite blessings down upon you. Not just now, but throughout your life, God is going to make your jaw drop to the floor because of the way He showers His favor upon you.
Kristin Holland Kristin means anointed or Christian; Holland means ridge land It’s laid out so simply in your name: You are anointed by God to go out and bring joy to the nations, Through your spirit and energy, people can actually feel the presence of God around them. You make people feel loved too, just through your inclusion of everyone around you. And you are so excited to serve! I loved getting to serve with you in Kenya and in Vietnam because you were always pumped and thankful that you were getting another chance to serve people. There is no way that God has given you this energy to live a normal life. Sorry! But God has called you to pursue something bigger and something greater that only you can fulfill. So keep pushing through and keep dancing around, rejoicing in who God created you to be and the plans He has for you!
Lauren Ashley Lauren means laurel plant, victory, praise, honor, glory, or scholarship; Ashley means ash meadow, power, sacrifice, or sensitivity This one is one of my favorites for obvious reasons and I love that I share this with you sweet sister! Growing up I thought our name just meant “victorious”. That alone is extremely empowering, but I also knew that it referenced the Laurel tree. Turns out Laurel trees are so unique that they can’t actually be classified among other species/classes of plants. They’ve stumped scientists for years and there’s just no one place to put them. That’s so cool that Ashley can also mean flexibility, It’s almost as if God is declaring you as a woman of immeasurable reach and He is going to call you to serve Him in a wide-variety of areas. You have come so far and have such a wide array of giftings that I’m afraid to even ask God what your future holds for fear of my head exploding from Him revealing even a small portion of it. He is going to use you to reach people of every past, every nationality, and every religion. He has entrusted you with much, but He has given you everything you need to succeed. Another cool thing about Laurels is that a high content of oils are found in them and that oil is used in spices and fragrances. By nature of your identity, you are so anointed you drip oil from your fingertips and reek of the Throne Room. I think the dwelling of God smells like you, Lauren. Continue to meet Him there and spread his fragrance to those around you.
Leize Marie Leize means widespread hydronymic (has to do with names of bodies of water) root meaning ‘pit’, ‘ravine’, or ‘cave’, possibly found at the beginning of a river; Marie means star of the sea I think you have the most unique one on here :) But I love that both of these have to do with water. You have an uncanny gift for livening up situations and spinning just about anything into a good situation. Your positivity is something that can only come from security in the Lord, which is something I see in you almost every single day that I’m with you. You treasure your time with the Lord and give Him your first fruits which is something many people hesitate to do or don’t do all together. And He is rewarding you for that. The joy you possess is just one of the signs of the transformation God has done in you this year, He’s set you ablaze and instilled in you a lightheartedness that spreads to whoever you’re around. You shine brightly among a crowd, like a rose among the thorns, noticeable because of the beautiful grin plastered on your face and that laugh that gets everyone around you laughing. You’re refreshing to be around and wash over people with newfound appreciation for the good. I love being around you, Leize and always look forward to laughing with you.
Lindsay Michelle Lindsay means Lincoln’s marsh or island of linden trees; Michelle means “who resembles God” I don’t know what Lincoln’s Marsh means, but I did look up what Linden trees are all about. Linden trees are really cool because of 3 things. 1) You can tell the difference between a young tree and a mature one because as they mature they develop a “rounded crown”. That’s cool. 2) The leaves of the Linden tree are heart-shaped. Awesome. And 3) the yellow flowers on the tree are distinguished by their pervading fragrance. Sweet! I think the fragrance was my favorite part. One source even said that the flowers’ scent will completely permeate any room you try to put them in. Kind of like you, Linds. There is no way anything can ever contain you from oozing the fragrance of the Lord. You are absolutely remarkable. I can remember times on the Race where you were down for the count, feeling defeated and conquered, and even in those moments, you smelled of the sweetness of God. Even in your hardest moments, you managed to teach me something, even if I just happened to be in the same room. I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to be around you and not experience a divine scent flooding their senses. You are an example to so many women on our squad and if I mange to smell of the Lord even half as much as you do I will praise God and consider myself blessed by the Lord.
Madeline Celeste Madeline means “woman from Magdala”; Celeste means heavenly So I discovered that Magdala was the name of a high stronghold in Ethiopia. Also that the name actually comes form a Aramaic word meaning “great” or “magnificent”, and a Hebrew word meaning “tower”. I love that your name refers to both heaven and earth. The foundation of towers and strongholds has to be firm. If not, then everything else built upon the cornerstone will come tumbling down at the first attack from the enemy. It’s because of your firm foundation that God has been able to build you into a great tower, stretching from the earth up into the heavens. It’s through the firm planting of your feet that you are able to reach up into the heavenly kingdom of God and be a connection to it for others in the world.
Martha Ellen Martha means lady or mistress of the house; Ellen means sunray or shining light I just picture you running around taking care of everyone right now. The needs of the people around you always take precedence over your own. You are selfless and a servant of God is such a beautiful way, Martha. Your gift of mercy moves my heart so much just being around you when you’re loving on someone. And your growing passion for worship is so magnificent to witness. When you sing to the Lord I feel like there’s a shift in the spiritual atmosphere. It’s almost as if everything stops and all attention is directed toward you, and therefore toward your God, in that moment. Your voice is so sincere and there is a sweetness to your music. It drips of honey. You have become a woman of God with a heart that can barely be contained within your chest. Oh and it’s so beautiful to behold.
Matthew Christopher Matthew means “gift of the Lord”; Christopher means “bearing Christ inside” The power in your name is tangible. You are a gift to God but He has also presented you to the world as His gift to them. He has transformed you this year, molding you into a man of God, fierce for the battle being waged. Every time I see you I don’t even recognize you. It’s like you’re Moses and you’ve just seen God -- your appearance is changed because of the powerful encounter. The Christ in you is breaking through more and more. As you continue to rip away worldly flesh, the more the Christ in you will be evident to the world and the brighter you will shine as a light to them. I keep picturing you being surrounded by a crowd wearing sunglasses. The light you radiate will be too much for people to set their earthly eyes on, forcing them to wear sunglasses anytime they’re around you. Your time has come, Matt, so arise and shine brightly!
Michael Anthony Michael means “who resembles God”; Anthony means flourishing or priceless You are our leader, and you are a servant to this entire squad Michael Murphy. You have reached new heights on this Race and have created entire new mountains. I honestly don’t think that our squad would have experienced this much growth without you pushing us the entire way. God has given you a gift of being able to see the potential in someone and nudging them along until they get to where the Lord wants to see them. But you have this way of loving people and a strength that almost makes it easier to reach that potential. I feel like you pushed us and demanded more of us, but it was never in a way that hurt or forced us to be someone that we’re not. The way you love and the way you lead is so much like what I think God is like. Loving us just as we are, but knowing that we were created for so much more and striving to transform us so that we reach or fullest potential as children of God. Thank you for every encouragement, every hard talk, and every hug Mike.
Paul Brian Paul means small or humble; Brian means high, noble or strength Don’t worry, I looked up Paulo too, but it was the same meaning :) Your name is descriptive of your passion and strength, but also your heart for serving those around you and the humility you posses with your gifts. You really are one of the people that truly exemplify humility and service to me on the Race, Paul. Being on your team has taught me so much, but one of the most important things is that leadership is all about serving. Leading from your knees is something you do so well, and I know that the only way anyone can find the strength to do that is from intimacy with the Father. I am so proud of the man of God you have become on this trip and just hear God speaking promise after promise over you. He is so proud of you, brother, and has so many gifts He is starting to pour out upon you. Get ready for some abundant blessing to fall upon you because it’s coming soon! I can’t wait to see how He continues to use your leadership and your strength to further His Kingdom.
Ralph Daniel Ralph means wolf counsel or crafty; Daniel means “God is my judge” You have a lot of wisdom Ralph. He has gifted you with an ability to understand His Truths and teach them to others. And He wants to continue to use you to teach others the things the He Himself has taught you. He wants to use you to lead more and more of His children into freedom through the Truths in the Word. The biggest weapon we have against the enemy is the Truth He has given us to put our faith in. He is entrusting you with much, fully confident that you will walk boldly out into the world, head held high as a son of the Most High God and tell all who He is and the promises He has made. The army of God needs your wisdom and your ability to strategize against the enemy. Through your leadership, the darkness that has hovered over the earth for so long will be lifted and as the clouds part, the face of God will be shining down upon you as He proclaims, “This is my son who I love, with whom I am well pleased.”
Stacy Anastasia Stacy means resurrection; Anastasia also means resurrection. I love that you have the same name twice. Just one example of how unique you are and how intricately and individually He crafted you. And if you could have any name twice, could you pick one more powerful than one that means Resurrection? Whew. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I think it’s because God has raised you from the dead and now He’s using you to do the same to just about every single person around you. You’ve got one heck of a calling, woman of God. And I am sitting here completely at a loss for words for how to describe to you what I feel the Lord telling me about you. Its like a little kid when they get home from a really exciting day of school or they’re really proud of something they did: they just can’t wait to tell you all about it and can’t stop once they’ve started talking. God is so proud of you. You have rightfully claimed your identity as the Beloved, as a Queen, and are clothed in purple with a crown upon your head. You define the love of God to me on a daily basis and I don’t think there is anyway I can ever thank the Lord enough for letting me spend an entire year with one of His most treasured daughters. You make my Race better every day and continue to make me a better person just by being around you.
Tamica Rene Tamica means sweet, wild, or abundant child; Rene means reborn or peace This all started with you. I remember back in Ireland that you said once that you didn’t know what your name meant. That night I researched it and loved how wonderfully your name depicted you. You have a sweetness to you that can only be attributed to divine influence. When you talk to people, its so evident that you care, that you are earnestly desiring to know their heart so you can serve them in the best way they can be served. And then there’s your wild side. You’re not afraid to be who you are and have so much fun embracing your identity and how God made you. You are His abundant child. Reborn and swimming in the abundance of His grace and His love. God has revolutionized your life this year and I love that it can be seen in every thing you do and every word you speak. You even walk differently than you did at the beginning of this crazy adventure. You know who you are and rejoice in the beautiful, strong, anointed woman God designed you to be.
Timothy Lee Timothy means “God’s honor”; Lee means pasture or meadow The pride God has when He thinks of you is right there in your name. He can’t help but think of you because you are the pride of His Kingdom, His treasured son. Your boldness with the gospel and your passion to love the people of this world is something so uncommon and is such a testament to the love the God himself has poured out upon you throughout your life. You have a faith and strength that comes from being so rooted in the Truth that the enemy is at a loss for how to tear you down anymore. Continue to stand firm, brother, and know that you are so adored by your Father. He can’t help but shine upon you, smiling, and proclaiming, “that one’s Mine”. You bring pride to the heart of God and honor to His holy name,
Whitney Nicole Whitney means “white island”; Nicole means “people of victory” Ok I think yours might be my favorite. The imagery of a white island just blows me away. The purity of it. The idea that it’s different, it’s unique. The fact that there must be something specific it was designed for. The delicateness of what it must be composed of. The regality of the inhabitants that are dwelling upon it. The imagery of it popping out on a map or a picture in comparison to the dark waters surrounding it. It makes me think of it as a shelter in the storm too. Like lost sailors are blessed to fall upon you when the waters are raging. I know for me, this is way too true. If there’s anyone I could not have done this race without, it’s you. You always understood and always just let me be myself, something I appreciate maybe more than anything else. And I love that the name you’ve actually chosen to be identified with is filled with power. Victory. And not just victory, but people of victory. It’s like a foreshadowing of the impact you are going to have on so many peoples’ lives. That you won’t ever settle to be the only one walking in the glory you were created to dwell in, but that you demand that everyone else follow suit and you’re going to do whatever it is you have to do to get them there. I love the duality of it. Serene, unique, independent white island but powerful leader of a nation of victory. Wowza, you might want to buckle your spiritual seatbelt for what God’s got in store for you.
Ksquad, I’ll never be the same for knowing you. I love you.
Posted in 09--Thailand by Lauren Williamson on 5/13/2010
As we entered Asia I didn't know what to expect. Honestly I had never felt called to Asia and had never really thought much about it so it wasn't that I had bad expectations; I just didn't have any at all.
Asia started with a Debrief in Hua Hin, Thailand. Somehow as Racers we managed to be put up in a hotel. Yep, a hotel with beds and air conditioning. After a few days of adjusting to a new continent, a new culture, and new people, we set out to our separate towns.
We arrived during the Thai New Year which is a nation-wide water fight!
April was a time when the men head out into the wild to do whatever it is that men do. They call it "man-istry". So with our brothers off hunting wild animals and getting battle wounds, the women of the squad were separated into teams based on what type of ministry we felt the Lord calling us to.
My Team:
-Bambi Bigley
-Heather Dodge
-Heather Reed
-April Wright
-Yours truly
The Mission:
Serve at an orphange
The Location:
Chaiyaphum, Thailand
The Contacts:
-Ram, our translator (who is 3 months pregnant!) and main contact
-Nan, Ram's husband and our comic relief; master of building and fixing just about anything.
-Ma, Ram's mom who could always make me smile
-Pa, Ram's dad who is the most youthful, agile old man I've ever met
-Oi, Ram's 19 year-old neice who came in from a nearby town just to spend time with us
-Teo, a friend of Oi's who came with her and who has the ability to dominate everyone at UNO
The Reality Check:
As it turns out, Chaiyaphum actually doesn't have an orphange. We discovered the miscommunication on arriving to our contact's home. At first we were a little disappointed that our month of pouring into kids was all an illusion, but then we were excited at what the Lord must have in store for us. He called each one of us to that location through our love of kids, but had something completely different prepared. So instead of working at an orphanage, we did the next best thing: construction.
The [Revised] Mission:
-Building a saala
-Saala: outdoor structure resembeling a hut composed of bamboo, wood, and grass
-Mixing concrete
-Building a stone wall
-Teaching English camp
-Cell group and Church activities
-Pouring into our contacts and the community
-Evangelism
Our time in Chaiyaphum wasn't anything like we expected, but the Lord still used us in amazing ways. The month was short due to traveling and other unexpected circumstances, but filled with hard work and community. The family there completely welcomed us into their home and for the first time on the Race I truly felt like I was a part of a family, complete with Ma and Pa. And through lots conversations and crazy games of UNO, the five of us were blessed with a new home on the other side of the world.
Fun facts:
-Chaiyaphum is a small town so our big weekly adventure was the whole family piling into the back of a pickup truck and driving 45 minutes to Big C, the closest supermarket.
-One of the first days we were there we attened a Buddhist funeral. There were 92 monks in attendance because the woman who had passed away was 92 years old.
-We were given football (soccer) jerseys to work in so we got to match every single day.
-We were up every morning by 5:30am so we could start working before it got too hot.
-My name sounds almost exactly like the Thai word for "kidding" or "joking" which is extremely appropriate.
-The hottest temperature we saw our thermostat hit was 115*F.
Buddhist funeral
Although our month was nothing like we expected, it ended up being one of our favorite places so far. Chaiyaphum set the bar high, even without an orphanage, so I can't wait to see what else God has in store for these last 2 months in Asia.
And just for the record, never challenge a Thai person to UNO unless you are prepared for an epic beating.
Posted in 10--Viet Nam by lauren williamson on 5/10/2010
50 days from now I'll be stepping off a plane in Los Angeles, CA.
50 days from now The World Race will be over.
50 days from now I will have to make 3,987 more decisions every day.
50 days from now I will get to hug my mom.
50 days from now I'll be back in the "real" world.
50 days from now everything that was normal will be weird and everything was weird will now be normal.
50 days from now the closest people in my life will be scattered across the United States.
50 days from now my opportunities are endless.
50 days from now I'll get to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, and my birthday with my family--let the party begin!
50 days from now I'll get to see Lucky, the best dog in the world.
50 days from now I'll have an entire closest of clothes to choose from... but will probably feel most comfortable in the clothes I've been wearing every day for the last few months
50 days from now I will try to exhibit the most self-control I have ever had to with things like Sonic, Starbucks, and Hobby Lobby right in my back yard.
50 days from now Target will have a new resident.
50 days from now I will probably sleep until 53 days from now.
50 days from now I will take the longest shower ever known to mankind.
50 days from now I will buy stock in Barnes and Noble before my first trip back to the magical store.
50 days from now the Lord will begin teaching me a whole new array of Truths, while continuing to solidify everything He's taught me so far.
50 days from now I will be able to call/text anyone anytime. Get your inboxes ready.
50 days from now my right hand will be pleasantly heavier due to the return of my Aggie Ring. Whoop!
50 days from now people will actually understand what it means when I say "Whoop!"
50 days from now I will still be the same person trying to serve the same God, just in a whole new way.
50 days from now I won't have to use a microfiber towel from REI anymore.
50 days from now Mexican food will be on the menu. Alot.
50 days from now I will have officially read the entire Bible Genesis to Revelation.
50 days from now I will be at a loss for words probably more than I am anticipating.
50 days from now the questions "So how was your trip?" and "What now?" will be asked 18,976/day. (And won't know how to answer 18,975 of them.)
50 days from now will be the biggest reality check I've ever had.
50 days from now I will probably be thankful for the Re-Entry packet currently sitting at the bottom of my backpack
50 days from now I will remember Ashley Musick when I think maybe a job at KMart will just be a temporary thing to hold me over until I find a "real" job and will decide to keep looking.
50 days from now God will still love me even though I am no longer a missionary.
50 days from now I will still be God's Beloved.
50 days from now my passport will be almost completely full.
50 days from now I will start a new adventure.
50 days from now I will bring Kingdom home.
50 days from now there will be a shift in the spiritual atmosphere of LA as 80 mighty men and women of God step back onto good ol' US soil transformed.
50 days from now is not a reason for anxiety or nervousness. God is upholding me with His righteous right hand and He is all I need.
50 days from now is a blank canvas. But God has a mighty paintbrush and a huge palette of colors to work with and I'm so excited to see what He creates.
Posted in 10--Viet Nam by lauren williamson on 5/9/2010
Fellow Racer Daina Norusis wrote this blog about our adventures in Ho Chi Minh yesterday...
I'm obsessed with my guitar. I don't know when it happened but someone
flipped that switch from wanting to learn to wanting to worship and
since then, I'm obsessed. Unfortunately, I tend to want to be alone,
something that's not easy to come by on the Race. Today, I figured out
the perfect solution: the park. I grabbed my guitar and set on out.
I decided to call Lauren,
you know, for company. The two of us head out when I get this amazing
idea, "Hey, wouldn't it be awesome if I got one of those Asian hats and
then just sat under the tree playing my guitar?" Oh yea! We head
towards the park, keeping our eyes peeled for a hat. We decide to stop
for snacks at the bakery before beginning our adventure. While there,
Lauren realizes how much more amazing this whole day would be if she
had her paints. "Let's go get them," I say. So we do. And on the way
back we buy my hat.
And then it all begins.
I never thought worship in a park in an Asian hat could be so freeing.
I simply sat there, playing my guitar, as Lauren painted alongside me.
Two different styles yet one goal in mind--worship.
From time to time I would stop playing, she would stop painting, and we
would engage in deep, meaningful, thought-provoking conversations.
Occasionally a person would stop by and engage in conversation with
us. In one case, we even got to talk about God creating us all in His
image and how He's in control.
By most, our time in the park would be
considered nothing special. What made it special though was the
fellowship and worship that occurred. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive; just a guitar, some paint, and an Asian hat in a park--that's how we worship our God.
And our day ended with fro-yo! How amazing is that?!
Posted in General Posts by lauren williamson on 4/2/2010
Good Friday.
I had this conversation with a brother earlier this morning
and this is the journal entry that resulted:
Good Friday. GOOD Friday. Why good? What's good about today
exactly?
Yes, if you are aware of what is to come just a few days from now, today
is good. But Mary, the
disciples, the people staring at a man they believed to
be the Messiah, the Chosen
One, to them today would have been anything
but
good. I wonder if they,
in that moment, decided it was good. To look at that
situation and choose to say, "It is good," would
have been the ultimate act of
trust and faith that God is good and this day is His so it must be good. Even
seeing with their own eyes their
Emmanuel die on a cross after enduring
unimaginable pain and humiliation, upon seeing Christ take his last breath,
upon actually seeing his blood dripping down the wood onto dirt, to open their
mouths and exclaim "Today is good." To worship God an
d p
roclaim His goodness in
the midst of death and darkness...
Maybe everyday is meant to be good. Perhaps Good Monday and Good
Tuesday should occur every week. In the midst of anything every single day
shouldn't we exclaim "Today is good?" Many times we can look back at a bad
day, at struggles and confusion and say, "God is using that. I understand. I had
to endure x so that I could get to point y in my relationship
with Him. That was a good day." I think that in and of itself is a feat that
that brings God joy. But to look in the face of death as it falls upon you and
say "This is good," is placing your heart in such a state that causes God to sing.
I wonder if Jesus, as he hung on the cross, the life he
humbly took on fading away, looked up to Heaven and in his heart said "Today is
a good day"...
Posted in General Posts by lauren williamson on 4/2/2010
Excerpt from my journal this morning:
Today Jesus Christ dies on a cross for me. For me. For
me. He was humiliated and tortured. The man, also fully divine, came from
the Heavens. He came from the throne room where God dwells in His
"completeness". He surrendered the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence
of the Father. He came to earth. He became a poor carpenter. He endured years
of ridicule and persecution. People laughed at him. They threw rocks at him,
spit on him, cursed at him. He became a laughing-stock, even before the cross,
for me. Not to earn anything. Not to receive anything from me. But to give me
something. Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of the Most High God became
nothing just so that he could give me a gift. He went through unimaginable pain
and agony for me. He endured beating after beating, lash after lash, for me. As
they nailed him to a cross, piercing through the flesh he humbled himself to
take on, he thought of me. He pictured me in his head and, without hesitation,
thought "She's worth it." He saw my sin, my disobedience, all of my
transgressions. But he still endured it. That's why he endured it. As
they shoved a stabbing crown of thorns on his head, he knew that through his
pain I would have a chance to endure less. As he hing on a cross, crying out to
his Father, our Father, he thought of me, his sister, and it pushed him,
it spurred him on to complete what God, our God, had sent him to do. He
died for me. He gave everything for me. For me. For me...
On a day like today I'm confused. A day like today, so
filled with sorrow, a remembrance of ultimate sacrifice, should be filled with
mourning. I want to sit alone, put on sackcloth and ashes, and simply weep.
It's all I can think to do. But that's only half of it. This time is also one of
love. Growing up in the Catholic Church, the season of Lent was always one of
preparation for today. A time of sacrifice and fasting. But as I sit here, I
realize that it is this season that I also feel the most loved. The constant
reflection on what Jesus went through for me how can I not feel loved?
Knowing that on this day almost 2000 years ago, the Son of God gave up
everything (as his everything was a lot more than my everything) to endure pain
and die just so that I have an opportunity to be with God, our Father, is
indescribable. This day is one of weeping, but not simply of sadness, but also
of unending gratitude and realization that I am so loved.
Today Jesus Christ dies on a cross for you.
For you.
For you.
He was humiliated and tortured for you.
The man, also fully divine, came from the Heavens for you.
He came from the throne room where God dwells in His
"completeness" for you.
He surrendered the omnipotence, omniscience, and
omnipresence of the Father for you.
He came to earth for you.
He became a poor carpenter for you.
He endured years of ridicule and persecution for you.
People laughed at him. They threw rocks at him, spit on him, cursed at him.
He became a laughing-stock, even before the cross, for
you.
It wasn't to earn anything or to receive anything from you.
But to give you something.
Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of the Most High God
became nothing just so that he could give you a gift.
He went through unimaginable pain and agony for you.
He endured beating after beating, lash after lash, for
you.
As they nailed him to a cross, piercing through the flesh he
humbled himself to take on, he thought of you. He pictured you in his head and,
without hesitation, thought "He/She's worth it."
He saw your sin, your disobedience, all of your
transgressions. But he still endured it. That's why he endured it.
As they shoved a stabbing crown of thorns on his head, he
knew that through his pain you would have a chance to endure less pain.
As he hing on a cross, crying out to his Father, your
Father, he thought of you, his sister/his brother, and it pushed him, it
spurred him on to complete what God, your God, had sent him to do.
Posted in 08--Tanzania by lauren williamson on 3/19/2010
The first house we had gone to that day was ready for Jesus. The woman's husband had specifically asked us to come share the Gospel with his Muslim wife. She wanted to hear about Jesus and was excited about giving her life to him.
But even as Tres led her through a Sinner's Prayer, she began breathing heavier. For some reason unbeknownst to me I began crying. It's like I could feel what she was feeling. The pastor nonchalantly declared "She has a demon," (a phrase that is much too common here) so the four of us gathered around her and prayed. After a few minutes, she was breathing regularly, feeling lighter, and looking like a completely different person. She agreed to come to church on Sunday and warmly hugged and kissed each one of us goodbye. Praise God for a new sister!
And that was only the first 30 minutes of our day.
After that I just wanted to go home. I was emotionally and spiritually spent for the day. But the rest of the team wasn't feeling well and needed to go home, so I had to push through. I marched on, with just Tres and the pastor now, praying that the rest of the day would get easier.
Little did I know what God had planned all along...
We came to another house. Two women were sitting on the front porch. With a Swahili "karibu" they welcomed us to sit. I asked their names and we each introduced ourselves. We found out the one of the girls was Christian while the other one was Muslim. The Muslim woman's name was Grace. After a few minutes they invited us inside. I began telling them about Jesus, but only got through the creation story before Grace started weeping. I sat at her feet and placed my hands on her knees, begging the Lord to release her from whatever was plaguing her heart. I was already crying again. I don't know why, but when she saw me crying too, Grace grabbed my hands. She gripped them tightly and stared back at me, telling me of her torment through her eyes. As she calmed down Tres urged me to sit next to her, so I did, not wanting to take my hands away from her.
I only got through a little bit more of the gospel, before the crying started again. This time she was shaking. As I put my arm around her, tears falling down my face, she buried herself into me. She embraced me so firmly, gripping onto the back of my shirt, and we just cried. It was only a few minutes, then the pastor felt called to pray for freedom in her as well. He turned and asked one of the other women in the house some questions about Grace. That's when we learned that they didn't even know her.
It turns out that Grace had showed up to the house a short while before we strolled up. She was in need of a job and had come by this home to see if she could be hired as a house-girl. In the few minutes she was stopped her, we arrived. None of the women in the house knew her story or what was plaguing her. They thought she was simply another woman begging for work, but God gave us eyes to see her for who she really was: a daughter of God.
She listened to the words God spoke through Tres and I. She received Jesus and gave her life to her Father. As we finished the prayer, Tres looked at her and recited Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Then he turned to the woman who owned the house and said 5 words I'll never forget:
"Do you have a bucket?"
The women brought us a big bucket filled with water and we stepped outside in front of the house. The pastor was asking questions, never having seen anything like this before. Grace got on her knees and bent backwards, the pastor and I supporting her head. And there, in front of everyone, Tres baptized Grace.
Soon after, we headed back home. Grace came along, conversing with the pastor as we walked. They stopped and the pastor took some money out of his pocket and handed it to Grace. To be honest, I was really surprised. It's rare that you see someone pull out cash and hand it to a complete stranger, even on the Race. Grace started telling us goodbye and I gave her a hug. I remembered that I had shoved a brand new Swahili Bible into my purse that morning (we had "conveniently" purchased an entire box the night before) and I asked the pastor if I could give it to her. He agreed, so I eagerly handed her the Bible and we went our separate ways.
The pastor then shared Grace's story: Grace is married. Well, she was. Her husband is Muslim and together they had a one child. Tragically the child passed away and just the day before we met her, Grace's husband had chased her off, throwing her out on the street. She had gone from happily married with a child to abandoned and alone. Her only real goal now was to get back home, but her parents' home was over 2 hours away and she had no money. Utterly hopeless, she set out to find a job. And that's when we met her.
The pastor also explained the money he gave Grace. He said if she gets a job then it was for her to do with as she wills. But if she can't find work, it was more than enough for her to get home.
God orchestrated everything that day. The timing, the Bible, Grace's heart, everything. And now Grace has the one thing she truly needs: a Savior. I am completely dumbfounded at God. I mean, I guess that's nothing new, but every time I think about that day I praise God for his perfectly intricate design. The way he wove all 4 of our lives together is breath-taking.
And to make things better, Grace even came to church this Sunday, looking like a completely different person, giving me hope that her hope is completely restored.
Posted in 08--Tanzania by lauren williamson on 3/14/2010
In May, over 85 Christians came together to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the nations. At Ignition Training Camp we were split into 2 Squads, J and K. From there we were split into teams; six teams each comprised of seven Racers. We went through exercises and feedback sessions as AIM leadership tried to configure the most compatible teams. Through much prayer, the 6 teams were selected.
Since then all of the teams have been rearranged. Except one.
They started as Team Beautiful Feet. They struggled as a team to understand the Lord's plan in having them together. Many (if not all) of them prayed that the teams would be changed in order to escape Beautiful Feet's less-than-comfortable arrangement. But, low and behold, God had different plans.
I vividly remember coffee-dates with Nicole, the constant reassurance from my end. "It will get better!", "God has you together for a purpose. Trust Him!", and other clich Christian encouragements are all I could think of to respond with. My heart broke for Nicole and the rest of her team, but privately I never understood how it could be that bad. Each of the team members were passionate about serving, earnestly seeking the face of God. All of them wanted to get along and all of them were trying to find the best in the situation. But it just wasn't working.
At the beginning of November, K-Squad experienced change. The squad-leaders felt the Lord nudging them to mix the teams, so they did just that. But Beautiful Feet was the exception. Leadership clearly heard God telling them to keep the team together. Needless to say, the entire team spent the rest of the night crying their eyes out. Many of them even started praying into going home. Beautiful Feet was less than optimistic, but had hopes for the Lord changing their hearts. They changed their name to Team Mosaic, to symbolize their first step in a new direction.
Team Mosaic faced oppression still. Personalities clashed and disunity still peeked it's lethal head in throughout their attempts to become a better team. A desire for a team change continue to plague their hearts and hopelessness creeped in frequently. In December things took a turn for the worse. Almost the entire team was on the verge of going home. They begged leadership to change their team, yet again, but, yet again, leadership heard the Lord calling them to keep them together. They did offer one change though: Tres decided to take a break from leadership and Bethany took the reins.
January brought change. K-Squad was finally out of Europe, into the bush of Africa where we all had pictured ourselves when we signed up for The World Race. Team Mosaic was assigned to ministry by themselves (other teams were paired up with another team), and throughout the month realized something: they really actually liked each other. Some attribute it to finally reaching a "letting go" point; others, the "real" ministry they were finally getting to do. But whatever is was, Mosaic had come to identify with it's name: 7 separate people, all different, all unique, coming together as the workmanship of God, creating a beautiful masterpiece.
Team Mosaic reached a new level of unity. So much so that at our Nairobi Debrief in February, they changed their team name claiming the new identity from the Lord they had finally stepped into. A month later, after much prayer (and their best month yet), I'm so honored to present to you: Team Redeemed!
This group of 5 women and 2 men have reached a level of unity that can only be described as a family. To be perfectly honest, they put all the other teams to shame in the area of unity. February (Kenya) was their best month yet, and when the Squad came back together at the end of last month, they were almost unrecognizable.
God has redeemed them. Completely. They still have their fair share of issues (everyone living in community does, we've all learned on the Race) but Team Redeemed bears almost no resemblance to who they were back in May. Since the day each of them signed up for The World Race, God had this planned. Amid their struggles and tears He looked down on them with joy. Through their yearning for change, their Father was simply smiling, knowing what was to come. He never saw them as a messy, hopeless team. He's seen them from the beginning as the amazing kingdom-bringing team they are now. They've stepped into their new identity as Redeemed seamlessly. And my team is so blessed to be living and working with them all month! Already Team Oasis is learning from Redeemed. It's like living with a family. I can't wait to see what this month holds for Oasis, but I think I'm even more excited to be a first-hand witness to the Lord's redeeming power through Redeemed.
Posted in 08--Tanzania by lauren williamson on 3/13/2010
I haven't written a real blog in quite awhile. I've written updates, but I feel like no one that reads this site would have any clue of what life is like on the Race. I've experienced so much in the past 7 months that I don't even know where to begin in explaining any of it. In all honesty, most of it is beyond explanation. Any time I talk to my mom (once a month for 10 minutes) and she asks "what have you been up to?", there's just no way to tell her about the baby Lindsay and Ashley cast countless demons out of. How do I just slip in the conversation that Dan, Patch, and Austin raised a little boy from the dead a few days ago, when I haven't spoken to my best friend in 3 weeks and only have 5 minutes? I could tell her about the blind man that can now see and the lame woman that can now walk after we prayed over them, but the lack of back story and the lack of time to go into detail leaves the story as just a neat thing that happened. When in reality it was one of the most defining moments of my life.
How do you put that in a blog?
Some of my lack-of-blogging has been due to not having a computer anymore. Not having internet right at my fingertips (thank you Africa!) plays a role in it too. But more than anything I just don't know what to say. I sit down at a computer and stare at the screen for 20 minutes, write a paragraph each of 10 different potential blogs, then give up in frustration because my inability to communicate to anyone, let alone my closest friends and family back home, what my life is really like.
At this point, I'm at a complete loss for words.
The healing, the prayers, the resurrection, the deliverance is all for God's glory. Every single step I take is to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. And it's magnificent. There's nothing better than praying for a Muslim woman's stomach to be healed, God (completely through His grace and mercy) healing it, and through it leading her to accept Jesus Christ as her personal, intimate Savior. It's the highest high anyone can experience. But it stinks worse than a squatty-potty in the bush of Africa to not be able to tell anyone about it.
In the Word it commands us to take what we learn and teach others. "Freely you have received, freely give" immediately follows the command in Matthew 10 to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons". I fear not giving God enough of the glory. I don't mean that in a prideful way; I know that every ounce of energy, every second of sleep, every word of a sermon these days comes directly from the Holy Spirit. I know that I would have succumbed to fatigue, hopelessness, and the enemy way back in Ireland if God didn't have His strong hand along the small of my back, nudging and encouraging, filling me up with more of Him every step of the way. But I feel like there is so much that needs to go on post-miracle. Mainly, a huge brightly-lit flashing arrow pointing directly to the Father. Every time we encounter a healing, an answered prayer, a deliverance, I feel like I'm 5 years old again yelling "It wasn't me!" Except this time I'm not avoiding blame, I'm avoiding honor. But how do I attribute all honor to my Father when I can't find the words?
A new project is in the works. God deserves every ounce of glory and awe created from these miraculous encounters and I just don't feel like I do a good enough job telling people about how absolutely amazing my God is. Coming on the Race, a verse I clung to was Acts1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." I am called to be witness. I have received the Holy Spirit and I'm reaching the ends of the earth, now its just time to open my mouth. What good is a witness who doesn't speak?
Last night I received a prophecy from a teammate that said "It's as if God has given you a microphone--so you can tell everyone the good news!" If I wasn't already convicted enough, that definitely lit a fire both underneath and within me. I'm done shying away from proclamation. I'm through keeping the wonders my eyes have seen to myself. I'm picking up my mic and turning up the amp.
A new section of my blog will be entirely devoted to testifying to the glory of God. Through my stories and stories of other Racers I hope it becomes a witness to the nations of the power of the Holy Spirit and reveal the character of God, bringing Him just a bit of the endless honor He deserves. Any blog with the letters "a-g-s" before it will be a testament of God moving somehow through someone on the Race. "ags" stands for "A God Story" (but it also conveniently references my college mascot, the Texas A&M Aggies) and I hope you love reading it as much as I love writing about it.
Posted in 08--Tanzania by lauren williamson on 3/13/2010
re-posted from Ashley Higgin's blog...
since being in africa we have seen a lot of things. we've seen poverty, desperation and hopelessness. we've seen children walking around without shoes and kids who are literally starving. we've seen HIV/AIDS patients in the hospital; writhing in pain, only days away from dying. we've seen mothers mourning over children they've lost and children grieving over a parent choosing to leave. we've talked with people who are literally demon possessed and spend their days in fear and trepidation over a power they do not understand. we've seen people walking around in chains of condemnation with no place to turn.
I decided to call 
