the team

The team with Jacob and Dana (Beth's friends from college) in Nepal
back: Kyle, Jesse, Jacob front: Karli, Beth, Me, Dana

i love "my team" and the more i know them...the more we experience here in Kolkata, the more i love how God put us together. We are all different, and yet, we make a beautiful team together. There's so much i could say about each of them...and why i love them...but i'll try to be brief..

Beth - i think Beth could make anyone comfortable. Its really easy for me to be me, and to be honest when i'm with beth. Beth is great at celebrating...big or small events and people. Its like she automatically sees the good in you (or whoever, or whatever) and is quick to point it out. On top of that, she's great at taking care of us...praying for us, being with us...and walking with us in this journey. I'd also describe Beth as "authentic" I've been encouraged and challenged as she shares her heart. (and i'm not just being nice cause i know she'll read this!)

Karli - she is so good for me. like a breath of fresh air. The times when i get caught in the deep web of trying to analyze and figure out...karli just sees a way to respond or be that is free and beautiful. karli is also really compassionate...and loves the Word of God. There is just this deep love for the Bible that oozes out of Karli, and i love it. Karli is also really great at living in community/at Kiran's. Sometimes i feel like she's an all-star at it...and i'm not. every night karli talks for close to an hour with Kanak, and sometimes Kiran...just talking about their days, and life...and sharing the journey.

Jesse - i'm pretty sure jesse could talk with just about anyone about anything. he has a heart of evangelism and it is clear that he believes in the power of God to convict and change hearts. in someways, i'd say jesse and i are least like each other. sometimes i think we see everything from different perspectives...and while its sometimes hard for me... it is so good. I love how Jesse's natural view of God and the kingdom challenges and stretches mine. i feel like Jesse helps bring me back into balance in my view of the Kingdom.

Kyle - compassion bleeds out of kyle. at times when my heart is hard, i see how kyle's is soft...and it challenges me. he's also a thinker - ideas go round and round...and he's quick to point out that its okay not to have the answers (which is good for me to hear... i know i can't solve the world's problems, but that doesn't always stop me from trying to figure out how!) kyle has a way of just bringing peace to a situation. he's pretty much always calm (at least on the outside).

i see how we each have different gifts and strengths, weakness, and natural tendencies, or points of view - and how beautifully they come together to make us who we are as "us." i'm so thankful for this team that God put together - and how good it is to continue the process of knowing them - and being known by them.