Hi all, I leave for Training Camp in a few short hours and wanted to give a quick update. I will spend nearly two weeks at AIM’s homebase outside of Atlanta getting to know my team members and leaders. We will go through an immense amount of spiritual and physical preparation for the World Race and develop the group dynamics necessary to operate in such a variety of environments. Our days will be filled with prayer, seminars from world-class speakers, team building, individual and group devotionals, fellowship, worship, and maybe a little bit of free time to do things like nap or play frisbee. We will be totally broken down and stripped of what the world thinks is important and learn to live a little bit like Jesus did; simply and with love overflowing.
Here’s what I’ve been doing in preparation for my trip thus far: lots and lots of reading, devotionals, the Bible, other readings from AIM about missionaries whom have already been where we will be going, books on traveling and culture; trying to convince myself of all the things I don’t need in this life; carefully and prudently selecting gear that will last for months upon months as I trek around the globe; sending out letters requesting support from myriad family and freinds.
Here’s what I haven’t been doing (gulp): Sticking to my fasting like I should be; journaling as regularly as I should be; posting blogs; sacrificing life’s amenities to prepare myself for a year living out of a bag; sending out more support letters; doing my best to contact each of my potential supporters in a personal way to make sure that every person’s involvement is absolutely crucial no matter what the size or type of contribution; boldly but respectfully spreading the news of the great adventure that the Lord has set me upon with the help and guidance of my family, the AIM staff, and my supporters.
To quote a Switchfoot song, God has been saying to me “I dare you to move…like today never happened before.” God is calling me to move not only around the world as I reach out to others while speaking His name, but also to reach ever deeper into the places I came from. My supporters are responding out of faith and love; one family blessed me with an entire month of financial support! Thank you so much for even the smallest prayer or contribution. These next two weeks are a critical time for my preparation. Please consider and pray over how you might feel led to support me. I will be able to communicate while at training and do sincerely ask for your prayers as I am broken before the Lord. Thank you and God bless.
