Around tables with team members from across the globe, Nick Caine, CEO of A21, addressed us like a father.
He told us how great we were doing. In spite of budgets and obstacles, we have thrived in another year of fighting against slavery.
A21 Global Team Gathering, Greece
“If you want a bland, boring, and beige life, this isn’t the job for you. If you don’t want to be here, we will gladly transition you out and pray you thrive wherever you go. But if you want to change the world and live by faith, you will always have a place on this team.”
A man of limited words, he doesn’t say much. I guess when you’re married to a woman of Greek descent who talks at warp speed, you learn to maximize impact with minimal words.
Nick and Christine Caine
He kicked off the global gathering and opened the door for team members to share what they are doing in their corner of the world. In TED-style types of talks, I discovered how truly amazing A21 is and the people who make our organization stellar. My presentation was only suppose to be 12 minutes but I’m pretty sure I went over (my inner preacher came out) when I opened with the story of me crying at my desk and telling Christine that I wasn’t cut out for this job.
“I have no educational training for this. I’m not an expert in human trafficking protocol. I have no budget to do what we need to do,” I said through muddled sobs.
Towards the end of the presentation I candidly shared with my coworkers that I have an expression I use at the office when we are called upon to do the impossible. There are times Christine or Nick challenge us to make something out of nothing. Friends, the only person who can do this is God! So I joke around and say that we have to make water into wine when projects seem impossible and channel our inner Jesus to perform the miraculous.
I jokingly said that there are times when Nick makes me want to run my head into a wall or pray for a case of Ebola to take my life because of the demands placed on our team feel overwhelming. The room laughed.
But Nick interrupted my presentation with a question while sitting in his chair at the front table: “Yes, Bianca, but are you better because of it?”
The question hung in the air like a tennis ball grazing the top of the net in an unexpected volley from the deep backcourt.
In a slow-motion lapse of time I thought of the time I stayed up until 4:00am working on a global initiative launch,
or the time I nearly killed an intern overseas,
or the time I mishandled a massive relationship and nearly lost a deal,
or the time I had to do an airport run, coffee run, and dry cleaning run for him on the same day.
And in a whisper of a response, I said yes.
I paused and said it with greater confidence. “Yes, I am better because of it.”
And I meant every word because that’s life. Life is comprised of moments of difficulty that reveal to us our strength and true depth in the face of trial. We don’t remember the moments of ease. We aren’t changed when nothing is at stake. We won’t grow unless the heat of the sun causes us to break through the darkness of dirt.
The tension of being told no, or cutting a budget, or canceling a project forced me to submit even when I didn’t want to, but I learned the fruit of obedience. When you’re forced to find a way, you always do. And when you look back over the hard soil you toiled over, you’ll see a harvest of fruit you never knew was possible. Yeah, kinda like turning water into wine.
The admission of this truth caused me to reflect on the fact that whether or not I enjoyed the process, I am a better person because of it. We all are. The pain of producing reaps of harvest of fruit. Even when you think your labor is in vain, know that in due season you will reap a harvest.
And when Nick Caine asks you if you’re better because of it, you can respond with the answer he already knew: Yes, I’m are better because of it.
“If you want a bland, boring, and beige life” following Jesus might not be for you! 😉
Thanks for sharing this moment, Bianca. I’m off to go make some wine!
Oh Bianca I am always inspired by your vulnerability and honesty. You always teach me at critical moments. I would love to have you as a mentor. Thank you for sharing and helping so many of us!!
M, I don’t mentor but we can be friends. Let’s do lunch. You know where I work 😉
“Life is comprised of moments of difficulty that reveal to us our strength and true depth in the face of trial. We don’t remember the moments of ease. We aren’t changed when nothing is at stake. We won’t grow unless the heat of the sun causes us to break through the darkness of dirt.”
It is time to start stepping in even when it seems absolutely impossible. This post made my heart beat faster Bianca. Thank you. God is on the move in the midwest and I am perking my ears up and getting in running stance to see How He leads.
God brings us burning bushes all the time. This is the first time I read your blog after listening to you at IF. Your words are fanning my flame.. My call is fighting for life and extending grace into it. He also has taught me the great big calling of being imperfectly brave for His Kingdom. Thank you for being obedient to put words on paper. A fire is burning brighter in Missouri.
AMEN! I’m SO glad we can meet 🙂 It’s a trip to virtually meet someone and be family, but that’s the power of the interwebs! 🙂 XO
*Groan* I can be SO slow on the uptake sometimes. Funny Story…
I discovered you through Miss Beth’s blog about a week ago.
I immediately adored you and fell in love with your blog posts. Couldn’t stop reading them all!
I decided that I wanted to be friends someday but that you’re just too cool for me:)
I kept thinking “Who IS this chick and why is she so stinking amazing? She is passionate about so much of the same stuff I’ve been involved in. How do we have SO much in common?”
And TODAY I realized who you are. *MAJOR FACEPALM* You’re B-I-A-N-C-A!!!! You’re THAT Bianca.
I can be so blonde sometimes! No wonder we’re so much alike!
The last several years of my life were flipped upside down and turned over because of you and A21.
I literally quit my job to go intern with multiple ministries in Texas and Africa who’re fighting Trafficking because of you and what you do. And life hasn’t been the same since. I’m sort of kicking myself for taking until today to realize you’re the face behind the podcast voice that I’ve grown to adore so much.
Well, woman. You are my hero and I love you.
(And if you’re not too cool for me, I still want to be friends!)
“When you’re forced to find a way, you always do.”
Out of everything I read, THAT is what I needed today.
Keep Inspiring!
Nakeia
Bianca! I have been listening to all of your podcasts with Chris over the last 3 years and I cannot tell you how much you guys have been a beacon to God’s goodness for me. You have the precise voice I needed… spoken in the way I needed it. I am sure I speak for so many. Thank you for giving us big updates but also for so often taking the time to break down the reality of what goes into the day-to-day operations—of both the organizations you guys run as well as the spiritual and emotional battles you face while doing it. Reading this helps me to remember that you all face the same battles I do. You mentioned “making something out of nothing” and “turning water into wine” … #Truth! I’m in the middle of starting a new organization and that’s been a daily thought of mine. Feeling so daunted lately… feeling undaunted and unstoppable and ‘channelling my inner jesus’ ( ha ha love that) one moment, and fighting every “you’re not qualified enough” thought that enters my head and drowns my spirit… with the promises of God. It’s tiring. But I think it’s going to be worth it. God’s doing a huge work in me, so I have to trust that he will work through me, once I have made some room for him.
Love your writing, love your speaking, love YOU! Thank you, mostly, for what you’re doing with Propel! I would fly around the country and stand on my head to have coffee with you! I think you spoke here in Allentown several years ago, but I didn’t know you then! Bummer. Maybe we’ll have you back one of these days….things are cookin up! XOXOXO
SO great to meet you! Yes, I would love to connect if I’m ever in Allentown again. Blessings to you!!!