This was told to us at one of the first lectures given when we got to Training Camp. Looking back over the past week I can say that this is essential. I tend to overthink things and, leading up to this, I kept trying to imagine what Training Camp would be like and what God would teach me. I had all these expectations of what God would do in my life. In hindsight Training Camp was not what I expected and God didn’t do what I wanted Him to do. And praise God for that.
Let me rewind a bit and give the setting for this. As most of you know, I’ve been preparing to go on the World Race this September but before I leave I get to fly down to Georgia to meet my squad and prepare to minister around the world for 11 months. For this reason, Adventures in Missions brings us to Training Camp. The main goals during this week are preparation of both the individual and the team before they head out into the wide world.
That being said, I arrived down in Georgia with my own expectations about what would happen and my own fears as well. Now I tend to be a reserved person and thus I’m usually the quiet guy who hangs out in the back observing people. Having to meet 63 members of my J-Squad family all at once was a bit overwhelming and many of my feelings of insecurities came back. I told myself that there was no way I would be able to fit into such a large and dynamic group. (As you can see, it’s possible to have negative expectations) What I wasn’t ready for was how God would end up showing His glory through this. (Quick side note: the word GLORY kept recurring constantly this week for our squad and it was a great reminder that everything we do in this life should be for the GLORY of the Lord.) God did this in me through some incredible work by the Holy Spirit.
During worship on the 3rd night of Training Camp, God poured out upon me a spirit of joy and reminded me of what He has done for me. I don’t consider myself a very joyful person but on that night I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in such a way I couldn’t help but smiling and praising God. This was not just elation or fleeting happiness – it was something far different. It came from deep within and could only be described as supernatural. “Though you do not see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” (1 Peter 1:8) That certainly sums up what I felt during that time and I still get filled with that same joy just thinking back on that night. [I’m smiling just thinking about it 
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Through this, God also reminded me of His intimate presence and the fact that I don’t need to fear what others think about me. After this, I was able to interact with my squad much more comfortably and speak boldly where I had previously kept silent.
All in all, Training Camp was a blast. Not only did I get to meet the awesome people of J-Squad but I also was able to grow closer to Christ through His merciful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God shattered my expectations and showed Himself greater than I could have imagined.
Many thanks to all of you who have supported me thus far – your generosity has rocked my world and I’m so humbled by your giving! I’ve still got a ways to go for my fundraising but I’m confident that the Lord will provide.
I’m definitely getting excited to leave on the World Race in 6 weeks! I’ll keep you all updated as the time draws near.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)
