Do You Know Laiken?

Hi, my name is Amy and I’m one of Laiken’s teammates. I want to thank you all for supporting Laiken financially and through prayer and encouragement. Without all of you being the way the Lord provided for her to be here, I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of having her on my team for the first four months of the Race.  She’s become a dear friend, constant encourager, and I’m going to miss her so very much when teams change.

I met Laiken at training camp, and I immediately knew she would be a place of safety. Her gentle presence, resilience, and positivity spoke volumes about her heart for Christ. I knew she was hilarious and talented from her guitar-playing introduction video she sent our squad, but I was so excited to get to know her better and see her personality more.

We worked together a lot during training camp as our leadership decided which people to put on which teams and it was such a gift to have some extra time to get to know her. I’m so thankful for our team and for Laiken being such an integral part of it. She’s our rock; she’s patient, steady, and unwavering. She’s the kind of person you hope to know and have as a friend.

In the Dominican Republic, Laiken and I got to work together every day as the two of us tutored Solimar and Starr, the daughters of our ministry host. I continually got to see how she gives her heart to others, listens to hear and understand, and serves without expectation. In the Dominican Republic, I saw Laiken continue to grow in her confidence in her worth as she affirmed the same things in others.

In Haiti, she was a reminder of God’s position as our refuge. When days were hard, I knew Laiken would be an understanding and patient ear. She quietly endured the heat and mosquitoes and reminded me to do all things with joy.

In South Africa, we got to fall in love with the country, sand floors for hours, and teach kids to somersault together. She taught me that it’s okay to let your heart get attached to places and people and to long to stay.

And now, in Botswana, she continues to push me to grow, she points me higher and reminds me of His character when I’m not displaying it, and laughs with me constantly. She’s helped me process our home being robbed by being an example of praying for those who hurt us, thanking God for our blessings, and not dwelling on earthly possessions.

I’ve learned a lot of things from Laiken, and I’m forever thankful I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her over the past few months. I’m already so sad at the prospect of not being on a team with her again, but I know the Lord’s going to continue to grow her in beautiful ways. She’s a Kingdom-chaser, mountain-mover, and earth-shaker, and God is doing amazing things through her.

11 things I’ve learned from Laiken:

1)    It’s okay to let your guard down and just laugh.

2)    Relationship building and genuinely loving is foundational in ministry.

3)    Christ can radiate humble confidence from our hearts if we ask Him.

4)    Being vulnerable is hard, but worth it.

5)    Letting yourself get attached to people you meet is okay. Actually, it’s encouraged.

6)    There is strength in knowing when to use your voice and knowing when to let others use theirs.

7)    Being open about the things the Lord is growing you in allows Him to work in others, too.

8)    Relient K is always relevant.

9)    There is enormous comfort in an understanding smile.

10)  It’s not that hard to do 100+ squats if you pace yourself.

11)  Devotion to God doesn’t demand attention.

Thank you, everyone, for supporting her and getting her here! 1010 FIERCE and my Race experience have been enormously influenced by her and I’m so grateful. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know her. For those of you who do, thank you for sharing her heart with me.

Love, Amy