Ah, the familiar grounds of the Adventures in Missions base. Despite it being 13 months since I was last here, I can remember the sights, feelings and people like it was yesterday. Even though the dining tent is no longer there, I remember how awkward I felt finding a table to sit at every meal as I was still feeling out my squadmates. The worship building, however, looks the same. I remember that it was the only place I felt myself as I worshiped our God alongside of my peers. Walking past the lodge reminded me of one of my most significant memories with my squad and the closeness that ensued.
All of these memories came flooding back as I pulled up to Project Searchlight(PSL) this past week. Even though coming back triggers many things, it also reveals how much we have changed in the past year. I see confidence, clarity, joy, freedom in those all around me and in myself.
PSL has been a crazy and busy week, but it has been one of the most important in my World Race journey.
So to the Racers who are out on the field or to the ones who have just returned, this blog is for you. Go to PSL! Here are five things that you can expect that will make it incredibly worth it:
First, you’ll be back with your squad and it’s going to be awesome. You’ll eat balanced meals together which will make you laugh about Asia day at training camp. You will reminisce about funny bathroom stories and favorite ministries and you’ll sink into the joyous reality that these people “get me.”
Second, you’ll worship the God who took you across the world and showed you amazing things… a lot. And it’s awesome. Squads will have opportunities to lead worship sets and you’ll feel so proud seeing your squadmates lead a whole roomful into the presence of God. Look how far they have come! Maybe that person will even be you.
Third, you may wonder about all the crying that happens here. I’ve seen tears of joy, frustration, fear and freedom happen this week, often in the same conversation.There is even a pretty good chance that you may also sucumb to the waterworks yourself. Don’t worry about it. God will do what He wants to and you’re going to walk away better for it. You’ll feel loved by and fought for by those around you.
Forth, you will come to find that the people at AIM genuinely care about you and want to help set you up for success in your post-Race life. Whether you know exactly what the next step is in your career, or are absolutely clueless with how to move forward while living at home, you will find tools to help equip you for whatever God has in the seasons to come.
Finally, you’ll come to find that God is pursuing you just as hard as He did on the Race. He is not done with you yet! He took you on an amazing, hard, and stretching 9 or 11 month journey to show you who He is and who you are in Him. He is unchanging and will continue taking you from glory to glory, bringing Kingdom everywhere you go as you seek after His heart. The best is yet to come!
