Community

I've been reminded about the importance of community as I've read the blogs of Emily and her teammates on the World Race these past 7 months. They have become family to each other, and as is true with families, some days are difficult and full of conflict, and other days are marked by celebrating high moments or shouldering each others' burdens, but the average day is living together in community...six or seven people from all different backgrounds sharing the same space while adjusting to new cultures, new languages...their challenge is accepting one another and honoring Christ.

It's common for the teams to be divided up along the way allowing new leaders to emerge and avoid becoming ingrown and too comfortable. But the leadership of the World Race has a policy whereby teams who are struggling to function well because of interpersonal conflicts are required to stay together until these are worked out rather than leaving problems unresolved. In the short term, it seems frustrating and inefficient, but in the long run, it's best for the racers' future relationships and personal development. I applaud this, because in real life, you can't just remove a person who annoys you at work or at church, and even though many marriages dissolve from "irreconcilable" differences, it's God's desire that we grow through our differences and learn to forgive each other. By not interrupting this process on the World Race, team members usually learn to love one another. That seems to be the case with Team Wreckonciled (aptly named)!

A healthy team manages to have fun together in creative ways to endure the monotony at times. It warmed my heart when Emily told me about their Christmas in July celebration. The guys bought the girls ice cream, and dinner was hamburgers, mashed potatoes with gravy, and loaded fries...a complete departure of their normal fare. They read the Christmas story, listened to Christmas carols, and had a secret Santa gift exchange. I watched the video and laughed so hard..their gifts seemed to reflect their growing fondness for each other! Their spirits were lifted and the whole event provided a much needed evening of jolliness!

Community is born in these moments...