---

Why Team Thru-Hike?

Thru-hiking, or through-hiking, is hiking a long-distance trail end-to-end within one hiking season. We’ve decided our trail is the “trail of life” and our season is the rest of the time we spend on this side of Heaven. As we prepare for the final leg of the World Race we decided to change our team name to represent our commitment to each other to be together through the true end of life’s trail.

---

Meet Team Thru-Hike

As a fun team activity in Ethiopia we decided to write bios for each other. One of us left the room, while the other three took time to reflect. We thought about who we know our teammate to be and the important stuff that we think future and even current friends of theirs should know about them! 

---

Amy

Radiant. Amy is the sunshine in every room she enters. Her smile brings peace. People feel fully known and fully loved by her. When you have Amy’s attention, time doesn’t matter. There aren’t enough days in the year for all the people and places she will visit after the Race. Her heart melts for children but hardens for all the evil, lurking cats of the world. Her optimism is contagious – every day is the best day ever and everything is the best thing she’s ever experienced. Life with her is never dull. Aimo’s days are powered by 1980’s workout videos, veggie eggs, 10 cups of coffee (no sugar), 10 liters of water, and the infinite love of the Father that He’s revealed specifically to her. As hard as she tries, Amy doesn’t have a whisper voice, because her voice is made to be heard. When emotions are high or situations are hard, prayer is her weapon. Amy is pro at tuning out the noise and seeking truth directly from God. She’s the powerhouse of our team and rallies us when we drift off task. The bible is her favorite story – she talks about the characters like she knows them personally. The lightness of God shines naturally through her. True to her name – Amy is the Lord’s beloved.

 

Kayla

Kayla is our secret weapon. She handles all the finances, all the details, all the behind-the-scenes tasks, all the admin work, all the things. She holds us together. Kayla is our foundation: the cement, the nuts, the bolts, the screws, the nails, the mortar and the glue. Basically, without her we’d fall apart. Kayla is a studier and reads like nobody’s business. She goes through books the way most people go through toilet paper. Kayla is an adventurer that doesn’t back down from challenges. She is a loyal friend and deeply devoted to all those close to her. When she trusts and cares for you, she makes that decision for life. You never have to wonder where you stand with Kayla. Her memory is like the vault at Hogwarts. She can recall anything, at any time, in any place. From the names of the obscure small villages our teams have served in, to your birthday, Kayla doesn’t miss a thing. This is because she cares. Her grandparents are her best friends and Kayla is who she is today because of them. Kayla is also a grandma at heart and loves things old ladies love. For example: hand-knit throw blankets, reading a book for the tenth time, oversized cardigans and watching her shows. While she loves old lady things, her eating habits are that of a middle school boy. Kayla loves cheerios, cheese puffs, mac-n-cheese and Taco Bell. Kayla is simple in the most beautiful way and brings a comfortable confidence to many situations and people. She is an anchor to our squad, team, her friendships, marriage and family.

  

Shannon

Shan Shan is a shepherd of many sheep, she’ll always leave the ninety-nine for that one. Shan is the calm in the storm, she was made for hard conversations. No, Shannon doesn’t want any of your chocolate or coffee and it’s not because she hasn’t already tried it. Shan will clean the bathroom and do the dishes seven times before you can even think to do it once. Shannon is a professional sleeper, with 28 years of practice. She can sleep anywhere at any time – cars, planes, trains and especially during movies. Her heart explodes for youth and she sees every child as worthy of her time and a listening ear. The Old Testament is Shan’s jam and the Lord speaks directly to her heart through His words. Shannon is tender. She helps carry others’ burdens and isn’t afraid to walk through the trenches with them. Shan Shan hugs are internationally renowned and she is the biggest cuddler on our squad. If you want to show Shan love – play with her hair, offer her gummy bears or write her a sweet note. Shananigans is a giver, that’s who she is. She is the queen of souvenirs, and each one means something special to her and the person receiving the gift. What we don’t know is how she’s going to fit everything into her pack. Shan is the heartbeat of our team and no, she still doesn’t want to try any of your chocolate or coffee. 

 

RJ

RJ has a heart of gold and the only way he knows how to love is hard. Worship is not an act, it’s who he is. He delivers the love of the Father through the strums of his guitar. If you need a soft place or sanctuary, choose him every time. RJ is a storyteller, and he has forty pre-written blogs to prove it. He’ll talk your ear off about his passions – business, mountain biking or fraternity – but will also provide a listening ear whenever needed. You can come to RJ messy, and he will embrace you and help you put the pieces back together. RJ is passion. If RJ was a Disney character he would be Tigger. There’s excited, and then there’s RJ excited. If RJ was an animal he would be a golden retriever – always needing attention, easily distracted, secretly a lap dog and loyal to the end. If RJ was an insect, he would be a social butterfly. Building relationships is his love language and he does it with ease. RJ uses more baby phone minutes on the world race then the rest of our squad combined. He is the master coordinator and takes care of all housing and transportation needs. He is a beautiful example of what a Godly husband looks and acts like. He could sell ice to an eskimo, and everyone wants to hire RJ. He is the ideal candidate for any job. RJ knows the intimacy of the Father and desires others to taste it as well. He is a dad at heart, was born to be a father and children are drawn to his childlike nature. RJ avidly wants to name his future children old man names. RJ is a lover, fighter, worshipper, friend, husband, and brother, but most importantly he is a son of the Lord most high.