What I thought would be “training” was more like Spiritual boot camp. I experienced the Holy Spirit on an entirely new level, so much so that just thinking about it sends shivers up my spine. God showed up in my life and the lives of my squad mates in radical ways.
I stinking love my squad. God has a purpose for each one of us. I love that we all dove into this community headfirst. It was hard, it was uncomfortable, it was stinky, but it was so worth it. My heart was filled with so much love and encouragement this past week, there were a few times I thought it may explode out of my chest.
I expected to go to camp and ball my eyes out at every session and be a snot faced mess in front of my squad. Well, one of the first things they teach you at the world race is to leave your expectations behind. I thought the only way to express the Holy Spirit moving in your life was to weep at His feet. Jesus revealed something different to me at training camp. A common theme for my heart was: JOY. (Side note, I am still a mess and my squad certainly saw that. But I am confident in His joy and the blessing of a good laugh)
Of course I’ve known what it means to have JOY in the Lord, but I didn’t know I could take it to worship. I had a silly cookie cutter for worship; God completely shattered that at training camp. I felt so FREE as I danced without charge at the foot of the cross. My Daddy broke so many chains off of my heart, and the hearts of my brothers and sisters. I couldn’t help but JUMP for JOY.
I am now a solid believer in love at first sight. I love the family and community God has placed me in for the next year. It’s insane how much you can love a group of people in one week.
This phrase “We are not sick people being made whole, we are whole people shaking off the sickness” was spoken over my squad and me many times. By the end of the week we were standing firm in that truth.
I saw Jesus HEAL people.
Physically.
Emotionally.
Spiritually.
HE did some work.
I realize that this doesnt give much insight about my training camp experience, but I am still having trouble finding the words that fully express everything that happened…
If you are reading this as one of my supporters, I must say a sincere thank you. YOU helped make this possible. I hope that you continue to join me in this journey, and I really hope I can greet you in a warm embrace before K squad launches.
If you are reading this as a future racer and searching for clues about training camp. Stop. Trust the unknown. The AIM staff seriously love you and want you to have a rich and fruitful training camp experience. Its gonna be difficult, but its totally worth it.
K squad at the beautiful falls
Team Koliah! The Lovely people I will be doing ministry with (GREG!)
Tent City.
