Meet the Team: Zeal Edition

Instructions on how to read this blog: 

1. Go find your favorite game show theme song and play it in the background

2. Read blog in that game show’s host’s voice

3. Grab a snack (It’s a long read, sorry.)

4. Find something to reward yourself if you finish reading the entirety of this blog.

5. Begin. And enjoy. 

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Welcome back to Meet the Team! Today we have with us Team Zeal, consisting of eight beautiful women of N Squad! Meet Stephanie Trauch, Kayla Calkins, Elizabeth Skinner and Ericka Robinson, as well as our returning members, Alayna Wood, Khurry Bullard, Sarah Badgett and Emily Riggs. 

This group of women are on fire for the Lord. They walked into their new ministry, Master’s Workshop (located in the rainforests of Pinshurt, Costa Rica), and immediately gelled. This team yearns for more, seeking Christ through spiritual disciplines and growing in intercession. Zeal has been described by others at the ministry as “soldiers” who face the Enemy head on while fully adorned in the Armor of God. They are fearless, bold, and yet gentle. You can always catch them in the same room enjoying each other’s company. They usually do so by playing Bannanagrams daily, telling stories, sharing wisdom and laughter, or sitting in silence while everyone rests in their quiet time. 

Let’s introduce this month’s guests! We’ll start with the new faces. Steph, c’mon over! No, no, you can’t bring the baby on stage, sorry. Give her back to her mother, please. 

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Stephanie Trausch is from the town of Paulding, Ohio from a family of eleven, finding herself to be the fourth oldest in line. With three brothers and five sisters, Steph’s heart for people is bigger than her body can hold. Everyone she comes across is her friend, and they know it. Her smile takes up her whole face, her laugh bounces off the walls and her joy is contagious. The rest of Zeal describes her as “nurturer, curious, caring, humble, pure, adventurous and vibrant.”

Stephanie, welcome! We’re gonna dive right in. What has been your favorite part of the Race thus far? 

“My favorite part? Hmm. Can I do a couple? Okay. First, Vacation Bible School in the mountains of Honduras… and I just had another one… Ask me a different question.”

VBS with mountain kiddos! Sounds like a wild time for sure! That is awesome, Steph. And what brought you to the Race in the first place? 

“God told me to come. That’s the short answer. I’ve always had a heart for missions and I was in a season of looking for what was next and I felt the Lord calling me on the Race.”

I love that. So Zeal. What are you most excited about for this team and this ministry? 

“Ooh. This year I’m just super excited to connect individually with each person, and I love our team prayer wall/war room and getting to, like, press in harder to prayer with the whole team. For this ministry… just being able to partner with Global Teen Challenge and see the difference they’re making.”

That’s amazing to hear. You sound like you’re having a blast. Is there anything you miss from home?

“People. My nanny families. And church community.”

Yes, yeah. Community is a beautiful thing, especially community you’ve gotten to invest in. So, for all of our communities tuning in today, how could they be praying for you?

“Ooh. That I would continue to go to the Secret Place with the Lord in my prayer time. Also for staying present.”

Beautiful. Take note of that, folks. But Stephanie, we have one last question for you: is there anything that you wouldn’t do? You’re known to be a person is down to do absolutely anything– is there any limit to your “yes?”

“There is, but I gotta think what that limit is… I don’t know, I can’t put it into words. Hm. if someone or myself is being put in harm’s way then I wouldn’t do it. Something stupid that you can get hurt doing.” 

Well thank you so much for your time, Stephanie. You truly are a joy and we loved having you as a guest here. May the rest of your year be so full of glorious revelations from God and holding children who need it the most. 

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Next we have Ericka Robinson. Ericka is from right outside Chicago, Illinois, and is one of six sisters. You can often find Ericka singing and clapping loudly, playing Bannanagrams and being completely done with Sarah and Liz’s smart alec comments. She holds loads of wisdom and strives for authenticity (even if it’s her being authentically annoyed). She is described as “joyful, charismatic, confident, ‘a big sister to Liz,’ infectious, honest, and one who loves with the depth of Christ’s Love.” A big round of applause from your home for Ericka, everybody!

… Will someone grab Ericka? She’s behind the camera dancing and I don’t think she knows it’s her turn.

Ericka, hey! Welcome to Meet the Team! 

Let’s get started. You’ve applied for the Race once beforehand, is that right? What was the story behind not going then, but now finding yourself in the middle of it all?

“It was 2017, and I wanted to go on the Race for the wrong reasons. One, to run away from my life at home and, um, two? Pride. I think in the midst of it, when I was supposed to be focused on fundraising and learning about community and all the things that the Race requires, I was focused on a relationship. And yeah. When my relationship fell through, nothing else mattered, and therefore the Race fell through.” 

Hm. And yet here you are, right where God wants you. So now that you find yourself on the Race, what has been a moment this year where you’ve seen God work evidently?

“Just one? Ha, okay. well, it was a few days ago. We were walking the streets of San Jose, and the neighborhood– the streets that we were walking down– were progressively more and more dangerous. And yet, none of us were scared. And it felt like the Lord was just like hovering over us. And it’s like, you see the darkness but you would feel like you were light, like we were light walking down the street– that’s what it was. Showed me God’s power. That He really is our safe refuge. Yeah.”

That sounds like a story we need to hear about another time. But when you’re not doing ministry, what is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

“Eat. Can we call someone real quick so we can eat? Well, now, on the Race, it’s Bananagrams. I love Bananagrams. But yeah playing games… Or sleep. That’s a good one. I like to sleep. Yep.” 

All good answers. If you could add one country to our route, what would it be?

“Columbia. Cause I want their coffee. I would love to do ministry there but while drinking their coffee also. That’s where Encato was filmed- well, not filmed. You know what I mean. It would be cool to be dancing down the streets like Mir-Mir…Mirable? Yeah, her.”

What do you think the Lord has in store for your team, Zeal?

“Um. I think that He’s definitely gonna make us uncomfortable. One of the big things that I like get so nervous about is evangelizing because it’s a new level of trust that we ask of the Lord. And without fail, He gives it every time. But also, it’s the faith that we profess when we’re worshiping or talking and it’s now like we have to put our money where our mouth is. And like, if we’re so stoked about this faith, singing “come in like a fire,” and then God goes, are you gonna say yes? Well, yes. I think He’s gonna push us in growth in saying yes. We’re just saying yes to Him all the time. But also, like us being so intentional with prayer life, and quiet time– it goes hand it hand as we’re spending time with Him learning from His presence and all the characteristics that He holds… it puts more fire under our feet. Like I said, it goes hand in hand. As we learn more in Him, He’s discipling us. We go disciple others.”

Absolutely. Having that “yes spirit” as World Race likes to say. With the place you find yourself in, is there anything you miss from home? 

“No, girl. I miss my family, that’s it. Yeah.” 

Well if they’re tuned in, now they know that they’re being thought of. (Hi, Ericka’s family!) For your family and for others to know, what prayers are you asking for yourself during this year?

“To be present. Um… and focused and on what the Lord is doing in me and around the world. Yeah. Yeah.”

Well, Ericka, thank you so much for coming here today to talk to us abou–

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Where is that whistling coming from? It’s beautiful but we need to find Li– oh, oh that was Liz. Can someone tell her she can look for her violin later? We’re on air. 

While she’s looking, allow myself to introduce Emma Elizabeth “Liz” Skinner from Wilson, North Carolina. The oldest of four kids, Liz knows how to run a household (it’s an oldest daughter thing), and as part of our logistics team, she works hard for the squad and stays focused. When she’s not on duty, though, Liz is full of musical chat and intellectual conversations (sometimes in Spanish), lots of singing and speaking honestly. Zeal describes her as “a deep-thinker, well-read, ‘little sister of Ericka,’ inquisitive, gentle, pensive and loyal.”

Liz, !bienvenidos!

You have spent the last three months with Team Emissary, but now you find yourself on a new team. What is something about Team Zeal that you genuinely appreciate?

“I love how much fun we have together just like hanging out.”

I love that even in your down time you still enjoy each other. But let’s take it to the flip side: What has been the hardest part of the Race for you?

“I would say… adjusting to World Race culture, and, like, constant change. And trying to adjust but not really being able to.”

Change is hard, for sure. What is something that you’re praying into for the rest of this year?

“That the lessons that I learn in this year translate into normal life and that I carry them with me. Yeah”

You really value progress, that’s amazing. Speaking of, what is your highest value?

“Wow. I’m trying to think on how to word this. My highest value in this life is that life is a gift. The time we’ve been given is a gift from God and idk… and that it should not be wasted. I think that’s the best summary. Basically like, how am I going to use my timer? JRR Tolkien said all we have to decide is what to do with the time we’ve been given.” 

You have certainly strived to live life to its fullest. From what I hear, you’re quite the traveler. You’ve lived in Costa Rica for a year or two before this trip. Knowing that this year is full of new adventures, what is something on your World Race bucket list? 

“Machu Picchu in Peru, and pancakes in every country.”

Fun fun! Alright, one last question: Is there anything our viewers can be praying about for you?

“For perseverance. Yeah.”

Absolutely. Liz, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you so much for your time.

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Did we decide on giving Kayla a baby chick to hold during her interview, or did we think that would make her too emotional? We- we did? Okay, perfect, bring it over. Kayla! Welcome! 

Meet Kayla Calkins, everybody. Resident of Lakin, Kansas, the president of Bunion Baby Extermination Services and co-founder of Dirt In the Shirt, Kayla is the definition of a girl boss. Able to rope cattle, carry dirt, wield a pickaxe and stand in for a bouncer, Kayla is a force to be reckoned with. But know that when you truly get to know her, she’s a Ferdinand the Bull kinda gal: she may look tough, but all she wants is to smell the flowers. Kayla is known by her team as  “steady, calm, kind-hearted, precious, unwavering, genuine and intentional.”

So, everybody, please welcome Miss Kayla “Buddy” Calkins front and center.

Kayla! First question: What has been the cutest animal you have gotten to hold so far?

“What has been the cutest animal I have gotten to hold so far? Definitely the goat in Honduras.”

He was quite the cute goat, yes. What has been the best part of your Race so far? 

“The best part of my Race so far? Um, getting to meet p-people– you guys.” 🙂

What is your favorite part of each person from the team? 

“Oh my gosh. I love that Ericka just laughs all the time. I love that Steph is just like, “Let’s do it. Lets do it.” I love how methodical Liz is. I still have such a hard time encompassing Sarah– I just love her, man. How intentional she is. My favorite part about Emily? Her consistency. Her constant-ness of… being alive? Alayna is… she’s just like– I don’t wanna use the word “mom.” She’s Nurturing. Khurry, I love how she comes across really peaceful and calm, which she is, but then she’s also super funny, and I love her little “weELL” comments. 

What a fun group of people. But back to you, Kayla– how can we be praying for you?

“Um, whoa. That I would learn how to run to the Lord– just like that– um, when everything is hunky dory. And everything’s not crashing in. Does that make sense?” 

For sure. Dependence on Christ when you don’t think you need it is a dangerous spot to be in. It’s good that you are learning that. How do you think the Lord is using you at this ministry?

“Uhhhh monkeys are like my brain right now. I think as a prayer warrior for the people in the ministry”

What has been the most difficult part of your race so far?

“Nicaragua.”

Hmm. The Race certainly isn’t always easy. Thanks for sharing, Kayla. You can take the chick with you.

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Emily! Punctual per usual. We already have some black coffee ready for you, no need to bring your own mug. Welcome back to Meet the Team!

Everybody, please welcome back Emily Riggs! A resident of Loveland, Colorado, and only sister with three brothers, Emily knows how to hold the reins of some rowdy friends. A disciplined and knowledgeable woman, Emily has spent her time on the Race searching for exactly what the Race encourages: Truth. Yet don’t believe for a second that she’s all logic and no feelings. Em spends lots of her time on Zeal laughing, sassing, and winning in Bananagrams. She is “disciplined, inquisitive, wise, intelligent, genuine, succinct, and discerning” in all that she does. 

So welcome back, Em. Let’s answer the burning question of all of our coffee connoisseurs: What has been the best coffee you’ve had so far?

“Probably the pour overs that we got yesterday. It was at a tiny restaurant on the side of the road on a mountain in Costa Rica.”

Sounds quality. What is your biggest pet peeve?

“Being interrupted.”

Understandable. We could’ve told the viewers ourselves: don’t interrupt Emily Riggs. But let’s continue. Last time, you answered what your favorite day of ministry was, but today we’re gonna ask you what your overall favorite memory has been? So tell us:

“Probably street witnessing in San Jose.”

A recent memory, how neat. And how are you feeling about your new team? 

“I love them.”

…Solid answer. Uh, next question. What is something you’ve learned about your ministry for this month?

“That they don’t get a lot of final support from the USA Teen Challenge or churches, and they need it.”

Hm. Interesting. Sounds like a cause worthy of supporting. Thanks for sharing, but we have our final question: how can we be praying for you?

“Um… for clear answers and solutions as we plan debrief.”

Of course! N-Squad’s logistical team is always hard at work. It’s a non-stop job. But from what I hear, the three Logistic members are killin’ the game, so keep it up. 

Thanks for coming back, Em! Hope to see you again soon.

That was fast, can we grab our next member? Khurry? Oh, okay, perfect!

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Ahem, uh, pst–Khurry, please wash the garden dirt from your hands before you make your way up here. Many thanks. 

Here we are once more with Miss Khurry Bullard! Khurry is a Squad Leader for N-Squad, hopping around each month from team to team to bring her own flavor to each group. She is always full of wisdom, smart quips, and lots of song. She will be leaving the field at the end of May to return home, seeing as her position as SQL only lasts a few months. She will be missed, gardener, mother, jokester, leader and all. She is “savage, motherly, gentle, genuine, comforting, caring, and amiable to everyone.”

Khurry! You’ve had the opportunity to be with N-Squad for the past four months, so let’s take some time to discuss. How have you enjoyed your time here on N-Squad??

“Wellll, I have enjoyed being back in Christian community where everyone is pursing the Lord. I have enjoyed partnering with the different ministries, stepping out of my comfort zone, and learning new skills and being alongside the squad in the really hard times– in the struggle together. Also it’s been a really sweet season of rest mixed with challenging circumstances that have made me lean on the Lord. I think that’s about it.”

So many new things, so many fun memories! Aside from the new experiences, what is something you’ve experienced here on this race that differs from your first race?

“It’s different that I’m a part of the team but not as involved in the teams, having more of a bird’s eye view of the squad and invested in what the teams are doing. And not just being sold out for one team. And stepping into more spirit leadership over more people than my one team. Just the like places– the countries we’ve been to– I’ve been to Africa and Asia and this is Central America. But it’s been good and sweet. Different experience. I was supposed to end my race with Central America, but I never did. So. It is gut.”

Aw, that’s great. From what I hear, your leadership is greatly appreciated. Speaking overall, including all of your time with AIM, what has been your favorite part about the Race?

“Favorite part! It would have to be the plethora of uncomfortable, different situations whether translating, food, culture, your host, your team… Yeah, a lot of daily struggles and challenges you have to work through. Um, you constantly gotta be depending on the Lord. You learn that you can’t do things on your own. You have to be dependent and see the true value of community when you choose to buy in and fully be a part. When the Lord shows up in your life and shocks you and surprises you and shows you “I had no idea about this religion, people group, gardening, etc. The Lord surprises you with those things and those are really sweet moments. Solid.”

It certainly does hold a lot of learning. Speaking of, what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“You have to live life with both balance and moderation.”

Wow, such wisdom! Let’s see if this wise woman has any wise wishes. Khurry, if you could have three wishes granted to you, what would they be?

“Three wishes! I’m so bad at these. I would wish to be able to travel around the world anytime anywhere I wanted for free. Um, I would wish for a house on a lot of land with a garden– a botanical garden. Flowerbeds for sure, and some chickens and horses and cows and lots of natural things? Well, cows are natural. I don’t know why I said that. I guess I don’t want an animatronic cow. So yeah. Natural cows? Farmish animals. My third wish is that I could have a pet elephant. I love elephants so dearly. They’re so cute.”

Aw, good answers. I hope those somehow all come true for you. Another wish question for you: if you could have a meal with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? 

“Dead or alivvveee!! Well. golly gee. One meal? William Wilberforce. He was like the slave dude? I think he either wrote Amazing Grace because he was so passionate and driven and convicted that he was trying to accomplish so much in life and nothing could stop him in that pursuit of ending slavery. Pretty cool guy. John Adams would also be cool. George Washington. The presidents, man.”

Very cool, very cool. And last but not least, how can our viewers be praying for you in this season of life, Khurry?

“For when I return from the field in a month and a half where the Lord would have me serve next. Preparing me for in this next season. Giving me a passion for it. And a greater-ness in my prayer life: having more passionate and consistent prayers.”

Absolutely. Khurry Carolina, thank you for agreeing to meet once more on Meet the Team. We love having you here and maybe we’ll see you here again for one last go-around.

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Welcome back, Alayna. Been painting, I see. Watercolor? Ah, very nice. Oh- it’s prophetic art? That’s fascinating!

Surely, you all remember Alayna Wood?! Team Selah’s faithful leader, she is now Team Zeal’s proud leader as well. Members of Team Zeal that have not gotten to know Alayna prior to this month have loved working in unity with her leadership. She is humble and kind, artistic and goofy, vulnerable and honest. Her style of calling her teams into leadership alongside her is a signature of Alayna’s, delegating to the team and taking into consideration their judgements. Even having known her a week, Zeal would use the words “artistic, friend, organized, thoughtful, tender, patient and safe” for Alayna.

So welcome, Mama Bear. It’s good to see you again!

Now, just like Khurry, your time here on the field is running out. At the end of this month you’ll have left N-Squad to return home. So let’s reflect: How have you enjoyed your time team leading these past four months? 

“Um, I’ve loved it. It has been really redemptive for me. Both teams have been huge blessings in my life. There have been a lot of challenges but both groups of people are exactly who I needed while I was going through hard times– as a friend and as a leader. It’s been really fun to get to watch these guys grow as leaders and that’s a big privilege for me.”

What has been the best part of these four months on the field?

“The size. Y’all are a smaller squad… I’ve gotten to know most of you even a little bit, and that’s been really sweet. Also, I never had to use my tent on my Race and then we tented for our first two months in the jungle with the spiders and the rain.”

What is something you’ve learned from N-Squad?

“I think– just in general– that there are so many people here that are after what God has. People that are passionate about finding truth and sharing the Gospel… for you guys, you came out with a route change on day one and we went to chose into this day one. People who have given a yes to God give a yes to God and do what he has called them to, no matter what.”

It sounds like your time has been really sweet. So after you say goodbye, what plans do you have?

“Going back to Minnesota to live with my family and seeing what God has for me, because I don’t have any idea of what that is yet. Might work on some writing “ virtual tenmaker and working remotely. Lots of prayer into what God has next. Hopefully travel.”

That’s a lot of trust for a big change in your life. What is something we can be praying for?

“Hmm. Direction for next steps, for sure. And that I remove my preferences and my desires and seek what God has for me and seeing what He has for me. And also that i still continue to grow in my walk with the Lord while I’m in America and learning to live mission in the States. It’s easier away form home, so this’ll be a challenge learning how to live like this back at home.” 

Absolutely. I’m sure everyone from AIM could talk for hours about adjusting to living back in the States after a year like the Race. So with that in mind, what advice do you have for these Racers currently on the field and any future Racers? 

“Choose the hard things. Sometimes it’s in ministry work or people or room assignments. It’s easy to chose the people you like and the job you want, but you see the most from the things that are the hardest. The people you wouldn’t normally sit with– sit with them. And share the Gospel no matter what you think or feel because God doesn’t ask us to have the right words, He just asks us to do. So to start that right away- on or off the field- you’re never gonna have all the right words. I wish I would’ve started doing that sooner.” 

Wise words. Uncomfortability is essential for authenticity. Alayna, thank you agreeing to be on Meet the Team one last time. Although we won’t see you here again, we know that your ministry doesn’t stop at the Race. The Lord has called you into freedom and you both know that to share it is life-giving to all. Free the people, Alayna. Team Zeal, Team Selah and all of Christ’s kingdom are cheering you on. Thank you.

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Annnd last but not least we’d like to introd–

Pardon the interruption, folks. You can’t find Kida? Your dog? Well where did you last see her? With Sarah? They’re both gone? They’re probably outside– go get them, we need Sarah, she’s our last Zeal member. Yes, she can bring Kida on stage if they both behave themselves. 

Sarah Badgett is our last Zeal member. We’ve seen her before on Team Selah, so what else is there to know about her? Sarah is one who remains herself through and through. Goofy, creative and energetic, yet also thoughtful, chill and invested, Sarah’s one to find herself ready for any situation. Team Zeal has allowed her creative juices to flow as she has yet to cease with thought-provoking questions and prayer envelope organization, and they would say Sarah is “a good question-asker, intentional, bold, vibrant, multi-faceted, dynamic and passionate.”

Welcome back, Sarah. It seems that you have really been enjoying your time on the Race, so tell us a little bit about that: What has been your favorite country so far?

“Honduras. The jungle was stunning and the mountain was not humid, so I was very comfortable.”

The big spiders were worth the cool of the mountain. Interesting. Since then, what is a revelation you’ve had on the Race?

“I think something that I struggled with at the beginning of the Race was that I never heard God’s audible voice. And it frustrated me. I wanted to explore more of the depth of Christ but without Him speaking to me, how could I? And then after some rough weeks I remembered that I’ve been given a literal whole book of things that God has said, so if I wanted to hear His voice constantly, I would have to read. And thankfully, I’m big into reading. 

Tell us more about this struggle. Was this seeking and revelation an enjoyable experience  for you? What was your least favorite moment on the race?

“That period of time was definitely awful. It was a true experience of feeling forsaken by God, and that, you guys, is nothing to mess around with. I also learned (once again) that the sun is also nothing to mess with. I’ve had to suffer through some second degree sunburn blisters and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies.” 

Both of those sound like they bring out a lot of emotions. How about some good ones? How do you feel about your new team that you have here with you?

“Amazing. They are incredible women. We vibe so well together, we laugh a lot, we share wisdom and insight, faith, and clothes… you can’t get much better than that. I’m soaking up every moment I have with these women.”

Good Christian women community, that is something worthy of applause. Now, last time we were here, you mentioned you had a dogs-I’ve-pet count? How is that going?

“Great! I think I’m currently at forty something. I even pet two today. I also tried petting a sloth but that wasn’t as successful. They’re not quite as social.”

Yes, I can see how that would be difficult. We just have one last question for you tonight, Sarah. For those who have been tuning in today, they want to know: how can we be lifting you up in prayer? 

“Pray that I would be hungry. Pray that I wouldn’t ever stop trying to find answers and revelations and growth. Pray that my emotions for seeking Christ are nothing compared to the discipline I have. Also, I’ve discovered a newfound boldness, so pray that it continues growing.”

Thanks, Sarah. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another season. 

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 Annnnd that’s a wrap. Thank you all so much for tuning in to this Episode of Meet the Team! Special thanks to Team Zeal for putting up with the never-ending questions and late night awaiting the reading of this blog, all of Sarah’s supporters who continue to question why in the world this girl writes such long blog posts, and to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit for guiding the step of every man and woman on this Race. Until next time, Meet the Team, signing off.