Growing Closer as a Team by Noel Muehlbauer

1 Corinthians 12:12 states, “Just as the body, though one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” At the beginning of this trip, many of us barely knew one another. We may have known each other’s’ names, grades, and schools, but that’s about it. In the airport and at meals we all stayed in our little groups with only the people we knew. Today was different. This morning we went on a river tour and made various stops.

Throughout the adventure I noticed everyone seemed to be branching out and talking to those with which they wouldn’t normally speak. During these rides to both the zoo and the chocolate plantation I didn’t sit next to the same person twice, and I don’t think anyone else did either. Later during the meals the tables consisted of a mix of guys, girls, students, and chaperones all talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.

My favorite part of the day came at the end when we played soccer out on the street with team members and town members. It was so neat to see how encouraging everyone could be of one another when we are all from different walks of life. We really came together as a team. I honestly think God’s hand was at work throughout the day bringing us together as a team even though we didn’t officially work and instead had fun. Because of how close our team has gotten already, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us these following days and how God can use these relationships for His glory!