Two weeks before Tennessee, I was not even close to being prepared: I had no hiking gear, no “missionary” clothes, and no sense of readiness whatsoever. Thankfully, I soon received all my gear and made all the necessary purchases; however, I guess the persona transferred into the future ten days.
When I told my family and friends that I was going to training camp in the mountains of Tennessee for ten days, I would get two responses: 1) “You? Camping? That should be funny,” or, “Is this some sort of boot camp?” Both responses were very fitting, but also both responses I thought I was ready to tackle.
With my camping gear in tow, I arrived at the campsite on Saturday evening not knowing what to expect. Throughout my preparation process leading up to training camp, I didn’t really feel even close to prepared. Some World Race alumni came to greet me and help me set up my tent. It was so weirdly awesome to see Facebook pictures come alive in my teammates personalities. I knew not a soul, but we were all instantly brothers and sisters.
We would be informed the minute of the event what we were to be doing, which, for the next three days, consisted of a non-stop schedule of chapel sessions mixed with meals and team activities. The chapel sessions were an amazing mix of worship (lead by Jonathan Helser and his band) and conversations (provoked by World Race staff and alumni). Since we were all attempting to adjust our bodies and minds to the elements that camp introduced, by day two we were exhausted.
I remember sitting in the evening service quietly whining like a 3-year-old, “I just want a hot shower. I just want a decent, normal meal. I just want my bed, my house, my comfort and familiarity.”
Having those thoughts rush through my head made me think if I was really made to be a World Racer. It won’t be uncommon to be doing ministry day in and day out. It won’t be uncommon to have the possibility that the infant orphan I’m holding could die in my arms. It won’t be uncommon to be in a city where the oppression of the Devil is so overwhelming that it could make me collapse in fear.
However, as soon as those awful thoughts incinerated my mind, God quenched them with his everlasting water.
“I AM your strength.”
“I AM your courage.”
“I AM your hope.”
“I AM your light.”
“I AM your love.”
I know that this is where God has called me, and I know that this is where I’m being obedient. Marilyn Laszlo, a missionary to Papua New Guinea, once said, “I have learned that the safest place to be in the world is in the center of God’s will.” Although I know that the places I’m going aren’t going to be the safest, I’m at peace because I know that God will be with me, holding my hand, guiding me through them.
My squad: W Squad…aka WOW squad
My team: "Team Collision", because we are colliding with other nations, heaven is colliding with earth through us, and, as we bring the Word, God is colliding with Satan and prevailing!
