Low-Ropes & Teambuilding!

Teambuilding…
Sunday afternoon was designated as a Missions Teambuilding/Low-Ropes Course time!
All the missionaries gathered hesitantly in the Haus Win, waiting to see what sort of tortures awaited us. Typically, teambuilding activities require being put into awkward positions out of your comfort zone…and the undertakings we completed did not disappoint! Morgan Stephenson, who is a teambuilding/low-ropes expert, was the mastermind behind the afternoon’s activities. He broke us in slowly with a game of “alien tag.” One person is “it,” and then slowly builds onto themselves as they catch people…growing into a longer and larger version of “it.” My 6th grade student Lainie was the last survivor! 

Run from Uncle Bill!!

Morgan & Uncle Bill explaining the importance of working together!

The winner!

Wind in the Willows…

Danielle Stephenson led us all in a trust-fall activity. We formed a small circle around the person in the middle and they fell forward, backward, and sideways…with their team members always catching them and passing them around.  As time went on, the person in the middle was prompted to close their eyes, and the circle was widened.  Lexi was our brave volunteer! She did great! 

Danielle giving us instructions on "Wind in the Willows"

Lexi rocking the trust falls!

After each activity, we always came back together as a group to discuss.

Slack Line/Tight-Rope Walking...

Morgan set up his slack line between two trees and had Mark and Hali as volunteers to walk across the rope. Everyone lined up along the rope on either side to be “spotters” if they lost their balance.  This was a great activity on perception...and how things are not always as they seem.  

Hali on the tight-rope

Mark on the tight-rope

Balance Beam Birthdays…

Everyone lined up along a skinny wooden beam, and then were told that we needed to arrange ourselves in order of birthday month and day. It was quite the challenge! There were several strategies being put into practice to rearrange the order of people without stepping off the beam. One strategy was to hug the person you needed to switch with closely and slowly step around each other while maintaining your balance. Another strategy, and my favorite, required one person squatting down as low as they possibly could, and another person stepping over them to the next spot in line. This activity took the longest amount of time, but was the most fun! We really got up close and personal with one another. :)

Morgan explaining the rules...

We made the kids go first!

The adults weren't quite as easy...

Preparing to be stepped over!

November & December people rock!

Guys got bored waiting & started striking yoga poses!

Mountain Hopping…

The group was split in half and arranged on two separate wooden blocks, which were just large enough to hold all of us. One person was assigned as the “speaker” for each group, and everyone else was supposed to remain silent. (I emphasize the word “supposed” because we all had difficulty holding back our commentary) There was a platform between the two wooden blocks and two planks of wood. The object of the activity was to get everyone from one wooden block to cross the chasm and platform to reach the other wooden block without falling off. Again, we were all in close proximity for the entire activity, but felt great success upon switching both entire teams without any “casualties.” 

My side of the mountain "selfie"

The other side of the mountain...

Crossing the chasm...

Squished on a platform with these crazy munchkins!

These activities are some of my FAVORITE, and remind me of my days as a Young Life and Youth Group Leader. So many lessons were learned…whether new…or reminders…they are all powerful tools in how to relate and work with other people. Some of the “take-home” revelations were: One can accomplish more and greater things when working with others, rather than alone… In order to work well in a team situation, there has to be trust among team members… Don’t judge the ability of others based on a single event and without understanding all the circumstances… We should be open-minded to the viewpoints, thoughts, and suggestions of others… Sometimes it takes many minds to solve a problem, and other times, we need to be quiet, listen, and do what we’re told… and SO MANY other great lessons! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to participate in such a great learning activity with my fellow missionaries here at Kudjip. Everyone here is a team, as well as a family, and it is amazing to see how all of our individual strengths complement one another in working towards the same goal.