Taken from our Swaziland Team Blog page. I will be posting on that blog twice a week, and trying my hardest to blog on here as well.

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During one of our team builders yesterday called the Spiders Web,
we had to crawl through a course with wires that cannot be touched. We
are only given so many touches as a team and certain metal objects on
the course sends the whole team back to the beginning. The cool part
was watching the team set their goals and expectations for going
through the web, everyone was heard and everyone was allowed to give
input. Our team goal was to complete the course in 2 hours, which is
almost impossible for a team the size that we are. The expectations
that we decided on were no sarcasm, positive attitudes, encouragement
for each other, and if we were sent back to the beginning...we all
cheered and clapped rather than angry and frustrated.

 

Our whole team battled through the web, trying to get to the first
"safe room." They cheered each other on, looked out for one another by
pointing on wires and metal objects. Twice we were sent all the way
back to the beginning of the course. Both times, almost our entire team
was in the safe room, but the way they handled it was amazing. Without
a single groan or mutter, they all started clapping and cheering each
other on. They smiled and laughed it off and rushed back to the
beginning to do it again. After the two times, never again. Our entire
team became just that, a team. We never got a arms length away from one
another and we guided and helped everyone through to the finish. When
we got to the finish, we were told that we finished under 2 hours, and
that it was a record set by a team of our size. Not a single person
wasn't smiling! We finished as a team and told one another how we saw a
trait of Jesus in them during the web.

 

We walked into the web as strangers, but out of it as a family. 
The Holy Spirit is working in our team and preparing us for the mission
field. They are building one another up and pushing for greatness.
Being open and vulnerable by sharing some deep hurts. Yesterday evening
we talked about freedom. Letting go of some things that come in the way
of a complete relationship with Jesus. It was so powerful and
uplifting. After the message, we shared about what was holding us back
and what walls we were putting up. As they shared, the entire team
gathered around them and prayed for each other. By the end of the
night, walls were broken down and they all felt safe with their team
mates. Please continue to pray for us and we come closer as a team and
get ready to fly out for Swaziland on the 19th!