This past week I embarked on a 13 hour road trip to Northern Georgia to meet my squad for the first time as well as receive some training for the 11 month journey ahead of me. Since I applied to the World Race, training camp had been somewhat of a mystery. I knew that I would meet my squadmates and be placed into smaller ministry teams, but as far as the day to day activities on training camp, I had no idea what was ahead of me.
About an hour before arriving at camp two Saturday's ago I could feel my body start to tense up out of fear and nervousness. Little did I know, that Jesus was about to blow up my expectations for the week and stretch me in ways I had never even thought of before.
The first few days, it rained non stop. We were told that the first half of the week would be spent examining ourselves and our relationship with the Lord. It was during this time that we spent much of the day listening to teaching on grieving the past, looking forward to what the Holy Spirit is doing in us today, and moving into freedom in who God created us to be.
Through out the week we were put into simulations of possible situations we may encounter on the race. The second night, we were told to grab a partner and place our belongings on one of two tarps.They explained that one of tarps represented luggage that was lost at the airport and the other was not. My partner, Emily, happened to be the one with lost luggage and was very gracious and appreciative of the little I had to share with her that night. We shared one tent, one sleeping bag and pad and a bunch of clothes that we used to attempt to stay warm that second night.
One of my biggest fears going into training camp was meeting my squad. Those of you who know me, know that it takes me a while to warm up to people and get to know them, so I was a bit nervous. At the beginning session, they explained that the second half of training camp would focus on authentic community within our squad. I have to admit, part of me was a little fearful of that part.
Since living back at home for the past two years, it had been a while since I had been part of a community 24/7. As an introvert, I cherished my alone time and to have that threatened by 50 people scared me a bit. That is why I was somewhat shocked when I arrived and felt at home. From the moment I arrived to the moment I left, I felt at peace. My expectations for World Race community were essentially blown away, as I was welcomed in and embraced as a sister.
If there's one theme that I adopted from training camp this past week it is that I can't do this on my own. While my human nature craves to be self-sufficient to be able to provide for my own needs, we were created to rely on the Lord and on others, we were not meant to be alone. There is such beauty an authentic community that relies on the Lord and each other. A freedom emerges when we realize that this life was not meant to be gone through alone. We each have a role to play in the lives around us, whether it be the giving or receiving end, the Lord designed both.
Part of being a part of community means letting go of your pride and simply asking when you have a need. I must admit, this has been the hardest thing for me to do. Being vulnerable and letting my pride be wounded is extremely difficult for me, but for the sake of moving into greater freedom, I am attempting to let go.
I have a few present needs that I would be grateful if you would pray for:
– Prayer for student loans. I have a few loans that I should be able to defer until I return, but one loan that will need to be paid starting in September that cannot be deferred. The payment is about $150 a month for this loan and could potentially keep me from going on the race as I simply do not have the funds to meet this need at the time. Please pray for provision. If you feel led to give to help with this, send me an email at [email protected].
– Prayer for funding. I have officially met my second deadline of $7,500, praise the Lord! However, to be able to stay on the race more than 3 months, I will need to meet my next deadline of $11,000 by October 1st and then my final deadline of $16,283 by January 1st. To be a part of giving towards my WR account you may click the link to the left or at the top of the page that says support me!
Some of you have been trying to do life alone. I urge you, to seek community, don't withdrawal from the very thing God created you to enjoy and grow in. I tried for so long to be self-sufficient, which only resulted in failure, disappointment and a lack of joy. Seek out community, you will be blessed by it.
