For the first four days we spent a lot of time getting to know each other, sharing stories about our life with Christ, how He brought us to the World Race, what He has been doing in our lives, and what we are praying He will do in and through us in the coming year. One of the things that has struck me is how similar, and yet how unique all of our backgrounds are. I think I have met more children of Pastors this week than ever before, and it’s always edifying to meet other people who approach life from that perspective. I’ve also met four Canadians — before this week I had previously known one that I can remember. I’ve met a former plumber/landscaper, a personal trainer, a computer programmer, a few youth ministers, and many recent graduates. Despite our varied backgrounds, however, we all have received an insatiable desire from God to love Him and to love others.
Something I said to one of the leaders the other day is that I have never been in a place where there were so many people who are just “nice”. The other day we were doing a hectic challenge where we were trying to get water from a large tank at the top of a hill. Ian and Kelly were at the top of the hill with a water bottle and myself and Jill were at the bottom of the hill with the lid to the water bottle. In a moment, Kelly and Ian decided they needed the lid and Kelly yelled down, “Hey Jill, can we get that lid up here?!” To which Jill yelled back, “Absolutely!” and darted up the hill with the lid. I almost laughed at how emphatic Jill was about her desire to assist her teammates, who she had only met two days before, mind you.
This week we have all been pouring everything we have into exploring the calling God has placed in our hearts, as well as the obstacles – past pain, fear, expectations, insecurities – that might be keeping us from that call. In the midst of that, we’ve also been pouring into each other, trying to be the family that we know we will need to make it through the next year with our sanity and clarity intact. I have found people with whom I identify like I have never identified with anyone before. I have found people who seem to be mirrors of people I knew before, if only those people had been filled with Christ. Finding 60 people who fit so well together and who seem to fit so well with me – a kind of fit I have often thought I couldn’t find with anyone – has awakened me to how grand God’s plans truly are and the seamlessness with which he makes it all come together.
In this community the Holy Spirit has showed up and worked mightily each and every night. Coming soon will be part two of my Training Camp update where I will be able to delve into more of how the Spirit has moved in me, in this community, and in this place. It’s already been a pretty glorious journey.
