Walls were broken down. Emotional bondage was extracted from deep within my soul. Physical, emotional, and spiritual strength was tried and tested. Lifelong friendships were kindled. All in 11 days.
As I approached 6000 Wellspring Trail on Thursday, May 21st, 2015 I began experiencing more emotions than I thought possible. Feelings of excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and awkwardness came flooding in over me. I felt like the new girl on her first day in a brand new school exchanging hesitant greetings and asking myself what made me ever think the World Race was a good idea. That afternoon my new family and I got all settled into our new ‘homes’ and that evening was where it all began for me. Worship began and I immediately knew there was something different about Adventures in Missions that I couldn’t explain. Good Good Father was played and tears began streaming down my face and I soon realized just how broken I was at the Father’s feet. Discovering how to heal this brokenness was essential before leaving camp and it was a process full of tears and beautiful growth. Fortunately, this was all made possible by the Holy Spirit along with 53 amazing squad mates, two squad parents, and several other leaders that have fully invested their lives into mine. In order to fully heal I needed to uproot all the lies from the enemy and plant the truths from my Heavenly Father. Easier said than done. I meditated on the precious words of Psalm 139 where God told me that I, Kristen, was fearfully and wonderfully made and that the Creator of the universe has countless thoughts of me. I have heard and read this passage hundreds of times but this one particular time was different. This was the time that I got it and healing began instantly. The Lord began a new work in me unlike any other and He has only just begun. A new sense of my belonging, connection and identity gave me freedom to be me. And me is enough.
So, here is my declaration to all of you.
I am done feeling inadequate
I am done feeling unworthy
I am done being fearful
I am done longing to be someone I am not
I am done waiting for my life to start
I am all in
The physical trials were the fun part. Mosquitoes, spiders, and other unidentifiable critters became bed buddies. Showers will few and far in between due to the inconvenience of the 5 gallon bucket method. Sleeping arrangements were always new, unexpected and exciting. A community tent, an “airport,” a tarp in the woods, a hammock? Yes, all of the above. And let’s not forget the squad bonding exercises full running, yoga, hiking and even dancing.
Now without further adieu, meet Team Wimbi. Wimbi means wave in Swahili. Waves can either be gentle and calming or mighty and ferocious. We will be both. Our fury for poverty, extreme hunger, human trafficking, abuse of women and children will be what gives us the strength to continue this journey together but our gentle, calming love will sweep over everyone we meet to unmistakably lead them to Christ. This sisterhood has relentlessly formed into an unstoppable force that no enemy will ever be able to overcome. We are the women of the waves. Look out World Race because we are quickly approaching the shore.
