March GO Team

When a group or a team of people come together there are many different personalities that each individual brings to the table. Over time a main personality or characteristic can take center stage, defining the team as a whole. This characteristic typically affects the team and the people they interact with. Each group that my husband and I have had the privilege of working with in Swaziland has had a different personality.


In March of 2011 a GO Team from Bethany First Church of the Nazarene came to Swaziland. As normal it took a few days to get a feel for the team and what the main characteristic was that summed up their personality.

I must admit I was humbled as I learned about their personality. I’m guilty of having the characteristic of personal satisfaction taking over when a team comes. I want to be satisfied with the work done alongside our Swazi partners. I also want the team to be satisfied with their decision to come to Africa. Out of my nature, I feel pressure to ‘put on a good show’ for them. My American nature of ‘go big or go home’ can take over.

As the week started different things did not go as planned in some areas. Nothing big, but big enough for me to question whether or not team members were having a good time, I wasn’t completely satisfied. About three days into the itinerary the teams’ personality humbled me. I was reminded that I was missing the point of their presence in Swaziland. Who cares if I’m satisfied or pleased…is Christ pleased with our actions.

The point for them being here is to love others. Being the hands and feet of Christ, through simple acts of love. It was their simple, kind and gentle personalities that reminded me of this. It does not matter the number of children at a school or the completion of a construction project. What matters is the love that is shown to our brothers and sisters in Jesus’ name.

Gentleness is the characteristic that summed up their personality as a team. It was a gift to watch each team member be Christ to others. Each one so gentle. One of my favorite interactions took place at a care point in the Tsambankhulu area of Swaziland. We were handing out new shirts and dresses to the children. One of the girls was much older than the others. She had no use of her left side. As we handed out new things I was concerned nothing would fit her. Looking over my shoulder I saw one of our team members helping her put on a new dress. My eyes instantly filled with tears. It was so gentle, simple and beautiful.

God’s love is beautiful. We see it throughout the scripture in Christ’s interactions with others. His beauty is most radiant when we love others gently and simply.