From the moment I stepped on the plane headed to Georgia to our squad farewell's at the end of training camp, I had complete peace that the World Race is what God wants me to do. Despite all of my insecurities and apprehensions, I have no doubt that I am meant to journey alongside my fellow JSQUADmates for the next 11 months. Their joy, love, zeal for God, and amazingly awesome dance moves have literally been like a breath of fresh air for me. I've been without solid community for over a year and I was so incredibly eager to join in with a group of like-minded individuals all ready to share the love of Jesus. I thought I would actually have “community culture shock” but I relished every moment.
During one of our team building activities, I was carried by my sisters. Never in my adult life has anyone literally picked me up and carried me, and might I add that the circumstances in which they had to do so were less than ideal. God reminded me that I am not only valued, cared for, and loved by Him, but also by my new community. My family. We will surely be carrying each others burdens this year and I anticipate that God will use these times to draw us closer as a squad.
For me, training camp was one of the most joy-filled weeks of my life. The extremely loud team chants, freely dancing in worship, hearing others passionately pray and declare the truth of who they are amidst 300+ people, witnessing my squadmates be physically and emotionally healed, and overwhelming amount of encouragement and love poured out by our squad leaders and trainers was enough for me to weep tears of JOY and abundant THANKS to our God! I remember praying, " Thank you Lord for paving the way for me to come here! Thank you for the chains you are breaking off of me! Thank you for the destiny you have for me! Thank you for lavishing your love upon me despite my frailties! Oh, you are so good!"
Thank you J Squad for giving me a glimpse of what this next year is going to look like. Crazy dance parties. Eating Ugali and loading it with salt. Worship/Intercession that goes on for hours. Loving one another deeply from the heart. Growing. Experiencing the beauty and wonder of God's creation. Perfecting our squatty potty skills. Pressing on together as we learn more and more about our true identity in Christ and walking in the freedom He purchased for us! The list goes on!
With all that said, I am SO excited to see how God uses our squad to bless the Nations!
