Get to Know the Team

I apologize, this blog is way overdue. I figured before I begin telling you stories about my team I should introduce you to them first. I am very blessed to be apart of such an amazing team. I truly feel as though I am experiencing in many ways what it felt to be apart of the first church mentioned in Acts. I am continually being challenged, held accountable, encouraged and because of that I am growing in many ways. So without further delay, meet the fam....

Meet The Boss Man, Jeremy Talifero. He is a big roughin, black wearin, tattoo sportin, pony tail hangin, Johnny Cash lovin, kinda guy. At first glance one might think he escaped from prison, or begin having sudden flashbacks of the big bully in elementary school; But WAIT, before you reach in your pocket to give him your lunch money, stop, and talk to the man, and you´ll realize that he´s actually a relatively nice guy!

All joking aside, Jeremy and his wife Susan have been leading the Xtreme Team with the IMB for many years now and have made a profound impact on my life and the lives of many who have had the privilege of being under their leadership.Although the classes we had each day in training were beneficial, watching their daily lives made the greatest impact in my life. Together they gave up their time, home, comfort, and most of all each other to pour into the lives of a couple young girls.

Just to give you a little run down of what training looked like. Every day J would come to our camp with Jeff, the walking post-it, or Susan, who would teach us stories or just be there to encourage and support us. Arriving at mid morning he would teach us for hours, sometimes missing lunch or just takin down two cans of raw tuna, and continuing the lesson, leaving late in the afternoon. After a long day of teaching, answering numerous questions, frequent bathroom breaks, and listening to many silly girl chats, he would head home; probably feeling the need to work on the car, work out, spit or whatever guys do, to regain his masculinity after spending a whole day with a bunch of crazy girls!

On a serious note God has blessed J with such a wise and discerning spirit unlike anyone I have ever met before. The wisdom and truth he pured into us with such a passion was something that kept our team going through those rough days. He might be a tough guy but it is clear his heart is so tender for the the Lord and His work. To me that's what makes the difference between a leader and a role model, and that is exactly what he became to all of us. I can´t lie, some days we did hate him, shooting him the evil eye and wishing Susan were there instead. Haha, J/K, maybe. Anyways, the impact he made on my life is a life long one and one that Will never be forgotten!

Meet Kelli the walking, talking, biblical concordance. One might think she is a theologian, but she is actually a pharmacist. One suggestion, don´t ever play Bible Trivia with her unless you´re on her team,lol. Kelli is one of my SC´s(Strategic Coordinators)or boss. She is a blast to be around and has become such a role model for me to look up to. Her knowledge of God´s word is unlike anyone I have ever met.She has the gift of teaching of which we all benefit, and she unknowingly spreads that passion to others around her. Her gift of teaching coupled with her passion for God´s word makes it impossible to become bored listening to her or content in your walk.

Meet Leah our Xtreme nurse. She is no bigger than a minute, but has a huge heart. Leah is also my SC and has, along with Kelli, gone through training with us. Leah is the most genuinely caring person I know. Her heart is so tender for the lost and sensitive to others around her. She has such a heart like Jesus and continually is serving others counting it as a true joy. Her gift of encouragement tagged with her silly personality makes it evident why everyone wants to be around her. I can honestly say her positive encouraging spirit is one of the major reasons I was able to make it through training. She clearly walks so close to the Lord and is a challenge to us all.

Meet My partner Misty. We couldn't be more different if we had been born on different planets,lol! She is tall, artistic, and unfortunately for me sarcastic:)Misty has an incredible sense of creativity. She has a certain eye for things that any normal person wouldn´t look twice at, but she can see the potential and turn it into something beautiful. In the same way she can look past the external and see the light and darkness in people and places. She has the spirit of discernment and in many situations this has proven to be very beneficial. I guess you can say I am naive in this area, and here in SA I have found there is usually meaning behind the pretty smile and nice guy act. I guess you can say she is my personal body guard and in many ways an answer to my parents prayers. She is a great friend, accountability partner, and team mate. I am very blessed to have her!

Praise the Lord! He uses the weak.....

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

I am one of the weak ones He uses. I have close to no self-control when it comes to food, laziness, or anything that gratifies my flesh. I lack the discipline that I need to be in fervent prayer for the lost all around me. I realize others pray more for the work of the Lord to be done with our team than I do. I struggle not with loving my enemies but with loving my own sisters in Christ. I have been trying to please God with my actions, including the one of joining the Xtreme Team. I am a very impatient person. I am quick to be angry, fret, worry or get frustrated without even thinking of going to the Lord. I have perfected playing the role of hypocrite, especially in church. I often tell people I will or have been praying for them but never can seem to fit it in between all my selfish prayers for myself. I strive to please others around me and pretend to be more spiritual than I am.

Believe it or not, this list could go on and on but I hope this removes all doubt that I am by no means an "Xtreme Missionary", if there even is one. Please don´t be misled by the title. We are, as Jim Elliot says, "a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt a Somebody!" My purpose in writing this is not to lose prayer supporters, haha, but to make quite clear that, as Paul says, God uses the weak, foolish, and low in this world, so that no one can boast. Therefore, I boast in these weaknesses knowing fully that in spite of all these issues, and many more, God can use ANYONE. He does not demand perfection but a willing heart.

I wanted to clear up any misconceptions you might have had. Please know that the stories I will be sharing with you about this journey are all to the great glory of God. There were many times that I found myself on the verge of quitting, and I KNOW it was only by God´s mercy and grace that I am here right now able to write this to you. Praise the Lord that, in His rich love, He does not leave us how we are and, in His mercy, He does not give up on us. This time of training has proved to be a precious time of dying to myself, comforts, desires and drawing so close to my Savior who has proved time and time again to be more satisfying than anything I once desired.

I am sorry if this disappoints you. My purpose is not to leave you discouraged but rather encouraged knowing that God can use anyone and, in spite of all of our problems, God uses even those to bring you and others closer to Him. So if any of you are second guessing something the Lord has told you to do, know that we have all we need in Him. He will give you all you need to face the trials placed before you, and to obey his calling. He does not call the equipped but He equips the called. Oh what a promise, hope, and friend we have in Jesus.