The comfort of home surrounds me. I’m currently sitting at my favorite local Starbucks, vanilla chai tea latte at my side and the crooning of Ray LaMontange in my ears as I swipe through work emails on my iPhone. Ah, simple bliss.
It’s hard to believe that these pleasures seemed so far away a mere 3 days ago when the World Race Training Camp came in like a literal hurricane to tear me apart and build me back up (no, seriously, there was a monsoon warning for two days). While I was packing last Thursday night I didn’t feel like I was about to embark on an epic adventure, as I boarded the plane to Atlanta it still didn’t feel real, it wasn’t until I entered a car full of strangers that picked me up did I stop to evaluate just what exactly I was doing.
As someone that bases their life around meetings and schedules, systems and structures, appointments kept and un kept, this camp wrecked me from the inside out. I poured over every Training Camp blog I could get my hands on, desperate for some kind of schedule, any hint as to what to expect day by day thirsting for something other than cliché blanket statements about “finding yourself” and being “changed” when the whole process was said and done. By the end of the week, I can honestly say I am so grateful I never read a blog like that, it would have ruined the whole experience.
I could sit here and go day by day of every detail that happened to me while I was away. I could tell you of all the hardships, all the belly laughs, all the unexpected surprises and incredible stories of life change and healings and the beyond amazing people I met but why spoil it? Who knows, one of you readers might decide to join this incredible journey yourself someday and trust me when I say the present is just as amazing when you open it on Christmas Day.
However, I do have one bit of information that is important, I have changed routes. I was previously on Route 2, N Squad and I have switched to Route 3, O Squad. I’m still going to 11 countries, just 11 different ones. The countries I am going to are as follows:
Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Haiti, Costa Rica, Swaziland, Botswana, South Africa, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia
Why the switch? If I’m being honest with myself, I always knew that the route I selected did not feel right in my Spirit, there was something inside me urging me that I would be going elsewhere. I know, vague. When the opportunity came the first night of camp to switch routes, I could feel the urging inside that it was going to be me. Sweaty palms, a fast heartbeat and the uncontrollable nudge inside of me confirmed this is what I was supposed to do. Sure enough, I and nine other brave individuals decided to make the change and I can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made for myself. I have fallen in love with these countries and the possibility of what each one has in store for me and my team.
If I hadn’t switched, I wouldn’t have met some of the most genuine, selfless and caring people I’ve ever met. The people on O Squad are not only literal champions (because yes, we won Squad Wars) but they have very quickly become family (because by night three of cuddling for warmth, it’s hard not to be family) and I’m counting down the days until I can be reunited with them to expand the Kingdom around the world.
I will leave with this simple truth in hopes it brings a sense of relief in someone else as it did in me: The Lord is faithful. He is good and He works everything for our good. Four years ago at 17 years old I was a part of a “Stop Child Trafficking Now” walk in efforts to raise awareness about the global injustices in the human sex trade. The Lord saw my heart to serve His people and now has given me the opportunity at 21 to spread His Good News. Trust that He sees your desires, trust that He has a plan, and trust that He is a good Father and will never leave you. Easier said than done, I know.
So trust my friends. Trust in the possibility of what could be, of what is coming, and what is here now, staring at you in the face. When you feel the beads of sweat, when you hear that inner voice, do not ignore it, embrace it, because that could be the start to a very exciting adventure.
Relishing the nights I have with my own bed-
M
Feeling so blessed by reaching my first financial deadline and I am currently
looking for people to support me monthly starting in January!
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me on the journey- any bit helps!
