About one week before we traveled from Georgia to Armenia, our squad gathered for a short time together to fellowship and to change teams one final time and I can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to write this blog, but it is my honor and honestly a great privilege to introduce you to Stu Pickles and the PenguiNUNs.
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Our most recent team picture from our trip to PETRA!
Did you know he walked across the United States once?
Pennsylvania
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When our last team was trekking through the North Eastern region of Georgia, God told me very clearly that Jerome would operate in the role of an older brother for me and he really has. He’s got an immense amount of wisdom that he shares generously and I love to sit and listen. He knows how to push my buttons like no one else on the squad. And He loves me kindly, even in ways that he doesn’t enjoy giving or receiving love. I’m thankful for this brother who knows me, loves me, and cares for me like Jesus does.
Team Treasurer and Squad Worship Coordinator
Arkansas
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Sarah simultaneously carries peace and power like nobody I’ve ever known. She’ll walk into a room and her presence alone will make you feel comfortable, but when she speaks, she does so with confidence and authority that will shake you. She’s learning to operate in the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to her and I’m honored to be along for this part of the ride because her process of discovery and activation are shaking the kingdom of darkness. I’m proud to call this gal my sister.
Beauty For Ashes Coordinator
Florida Keys/Missouri
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From a distance, I’d watch Jenna grow from month to month, debrief to debrief, and I’d wonder when Pops would give me a shot to speak into her life, to challenge her, and to care for her. Not only did I hear the stories of her growth from her old teammates, but I was watching it happen and knew that God wanted me to have a part in her life, I just didn’t know how to do that. But He knew that He’d have us on a team together for this season. Jenna has a desire to grow and be refined and even when it’s hard, she presses in and allows the Holy Spirit to renew and transform even when it hurts. I frickin love that about her!
Team Leader
New York, but not the city
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Back in Costa Rica, Jenn and I were working on a personality assessment with our host and she looked at us and made a statement that we’ve clung to. I don’t remember the exact quote, but the statement claimed that it’s virtually impossible for our personality types to be friends. However, it’s also important that both of our personality types don’t like to be told what we cannot or will not do, so here we are. At the end of the race, Jenn is one of my greatest friends. I trust her rebuke and I rest in her affirmation. She’s a good friend who cares tenderly, but fights fiercely and I’m thankful to be on this side of her.
Squad Logistics and Storytelling Intern – Field Writer
Mississippi
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When people meet me, I want them to encounter the living God whose spirit dwells within me, so i’m learning to be a man that’s kind and gentle and loving in every interaction with another human, just like Jesus was. I want to be someone that calls brothers and sisters higher in their pursuit of God, but also knows how and when to offer a word of affirmation in its place.
That’s us. Stu Pickles and the PenguiNUNs. We heard the comment made plenty of times after team changes that this group of people doesn’t make sense and while we would have initially agreed with these claims, we’ve grown to understand that we do indeed make sense. Check out Sarah’s blog about why. I love this team with great passion and I’m thankful to God because He thought it made sense to stitch us all together for a time like this one.
I love you.
AWM, Stu Pickles and the PenguiNUNs
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Our very first team picture from the night that our team names were revealed.
PS. I know that you’re probably dying for an explanation of our team name, but you’re not privy to that information, so just rest in the peace that comes with knowing that no one gets to know. 🙂
