Sitting here thinking if I can put into words the incredible 10 days I had at training camp which I got back from 6 days ago. Yet going into training camp I had no idea that it would of had such a big effect on me. Honestly going into it all I had no idea what I thought or felt about it all. I do know day 1 of training that God put heavily on my heart to let go of everything I once knew and to abandoned it all. I felt him telling me to be fearless and abounded it all for his kingdom which is greater than anything on this earth. During the week I could really see how before I was just living my life for what I wanted and what made me happy. Also with the lack of food and bucket showers along with many other things made me not take a lot I have in my life for granted. But I had my doubts if this is what God wanted me to do but after the 2nd day I had no doubt this 100% that this is what God has called me to do.
A person I got really close to was my friend Ross who I become bestfriends with in like 5 second because he knew all the stupid music I listen to. But after hearing his story which was amazing how God came into his life, looked up to him and how strong his faith was. After hearing his testimony, I begin to think I don’t even know my testimony I don’t even think I have one and before training I was ashamed of where I was at with my relationship with God and the lack of how close I was to him also with my poor choices I was making. So could I even have a testimony because I was nowhere where I wanted to be in my faith. That’s when God put in my heart that my story was nowhere near over and that I don’t have to strive to be this perfect Christian. Yes, I feel like I was that Christian that made poor choices on Saturday night then went to church on Sunday. But God really showed me that week that I don’t have to earn his love and forgiveness but that fight has already been won. So no more fake mask and that is when I also thought there was not one time I gave my life to God like I really mean give it all to him not just saying it but really mean it with all my heart. Yeah I have been baptized and have prayed for God to come into my life but I wasn’t living for him so one night I shared everything all my baggage all my struggles all my great moments all my terrible moments everything, with my new bestfriend Ross and he could really relate to me and it seemed to be the perfect moment in my heart to give it all to God and Ross prayed for me and that night June 11th I really gave my heart and life to my father God and knew that this was only the beginning. I know I will face my struggles and hard times but he will be there through it all. Giving it all to God in the hard times and in the God times and always thanking him for what he has blessed me with. My faith will only get stronger and I am so excited to grow in my faith and to never stop growing. Part of all this was accepting that I am a sinner and I am going to mess up and never be perfect. A changed happened that I really couldn’t explain with words but everybody said they could see it in me. Leigh Anne a girl from my hometown told me “Joey you got happier more and more everyday of training….. that’s not normal”. God has set a fire inside of me that will never be able to be put out. I am so pumped God has given me this chance to make a big difference and that I took this leap of faith by going on the World Race.
But before that night I kinda got scared going to training thinking “oh all these people are going to be perfect and nothing like me” oh boy was I wrong. I felt like some of these people were bestfriends I have had for years. Its truly Beautiful how a group of people can come together in a short amount of time and through so much struggle that happened and them all be there for each other with so much love. We had to send 4 people to the hospital but through all that we took care of each other and prayed and happy to say everyone is okay (even though everybody got each other sick p.s still blowing my nose). Yet words can’t explain the great dynamic of the group of people I got placed with.
I couldn’t feel more blessed to be put on a team with these people and I know I would do anything for them. That being said God did a lot in my heart and I came out of training camp ready to take on the world and live every day for the man upstairs.
Thank you so much to everybody that has supported me to get me here. I am about at 8,000$ so I got some more to go but I got faith God will get me there. So excited for what is to come.
