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United We Rose: Faith, Fellowship, and the Power of Teamwork in Venezuela
Many nations, one mission, and a shared calling to serve. In Part Two of my Venezuela humanitarian journey, discover how faith, friendship, teamwork, and laughter brought our Water Mission family together from different corners of the world. Through early morning devotions, heartfelt conversations, and unexpected friendships, this experience reminded me that serving others is as much about the relationships we build as the work we accomplish.
FAITH & PURPOSEHUMANITARIAN TRAVEL
Tamara Driver
10/14/20263 min read
5:45 a.m. — Rise and shine!
The alarm sounds, and just like that, another day begins in Venezuela. Before the day's hustle and bustle, work needs to get done. Time to freshen up, straighten the office, and prepare the space where our Water Mission team will gather for morning prayer, devotions, and a briefing on the day's activities. Coffee? Absolutely! A little extra prayer? Necessary! 😅
One Mission, Many Nations, One Family
Imagine bringing together people from different corners of the world, each with their own culture, experiences, and personality, united by a calling to serve. Welcome to humanitarian disaster response! Working alongside our Venezuelan teammates, we shared busy days, laughter, prayer, and moments that drew us closer. What began as a group of individuals became one Water Mission family.
Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing
The familiar team-development concept of forming, storming, norming, and performing became very real during our deployment. We were individuals learning to become a team while simultaneously responding to a humanitarian crisis. Regardless of our differences, we understood why we were there.
Each of us contributed something. Some brought years of humanitarian experience. Others brought technical knowledge, logistical expertise, financial skills, leadership, or a willingness to step into unfamiliar roles. We learned that teamwork does not mean everyone always agrees. Sometimes, it means extending grace, listening more carefully, and remembering that the mission is bigger than any one individual. Through it all, we persevered.
When the Mission Became Personal
Visiting the field and witnessing areas hardest hit by the earthquake reminded us why our work mattered. These were not simply statistics, project reports, or locations on a map. These were communities. Families. Homes. Lives forever changed. Some moments were particularly heavy. There were times when our eyes filled with tears as we witnessed the destruction and learned that some victims had still not been recovered. It is difficult to describe the emotions that accompany such moments. You feel sorrow for those who have lost so much. You recognize the uncertainty families continue to face. And you become deeply aware of how quickly life can change. Those experiences put everything into perspective. The people affected by the earthquake were why we came. They were also the reason we needed to keep going.
Laughter, Fellowship, and a Little Fun
Of course, humanitarian work cannot be all work and no play! Even in the middle of challenging circumstances, we found reasons to smile. We shared meals, especially at Casa Canela and over amazing local Venezuelan food for lunch I digress, and we prayed together, exchanged stories, celebrated one another, and occasionally enjoyed a little friendly competition with a game of Pass the Pigs. Moments of laughter helped relieve the day's pressures, including one of our members who made many jokes and sayings, like “making like a tree and leaf.”
Sometimes, sitting around a table and sharing a meal became just as meaningful as a formal team meeting. The vegetable bowls with protein seemed to be the popular dish for many of us. We learned about one another's countries, families, traditions, and experiences, like the differences in barbecues around the world and how we perceive it.
And those moments mattered. They reminded us that behind every job title was a person with a story. Behind every responsibility was someone who might miss home, feel tired, or carry concerns others could not see. Fellowship helped us remember to care for one another, not simply work alongside one another. It could not be expressed better than during one of our devotionals in a video called “A Powerful Experiment | Looking Beyond Borders. Or when our Honduran Pastor blessed us in a gospel song.”
United We Rose
There is an old saying: United we stand, divided we fall. During our time in Venezuela, I came to appreciate how true those words are. We did not always get everything right. But we continued moving forward. I believe God brought together the individuals needed for this particular mission.
Not because any of us were perfect.
Not because we had every answer.
But because we were willing to answer the call.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ. That description took on special meaning for me in Venezuela. We were representing more than an organization. Through our actions, attitudes, compassion, and service, we had an opportunity to reflect the love of Jesus Christ.
We were called not merely to meet a need, but to serve as His hands and feet.
And what a privilege that was. These moments gave us a family brought together by faith, strengthened through service, and united by a common purpose.
Coming next in Part Three, the final chapter of my Venezuela humanitarian journey: