I just got home from Thailand on Tuesday and the jet lag is still wearing off … in fact I am sitting here on the back patio of my office basking in the warm sun praying the vitamin D will help my body get in sync with Georgia time.
But the jet lag is well worth it…
I had the incredible opportunity to spend the first two weeks of 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with the first ever World Race Fusion squad.
World Race Fusion is a multi-national squad that will be traveling to 11 countries over the course of the next 11 months. Since this particular squad has participants from America, England, and South Korea, we had them all meet up in Thailand for a combined training camp and launch before diving into 11 months of intense ministry and community.
Let me just tell you – this small squad of 23 is going to rock the next 11 months.
They are a passionate joyful, flexible, kingdom seeking bunch of world changers.
They love one another courageously – even after knowing each other in person only for two weeks! They have dived deep into each other’s stories and opened their hearts in such a beautiful and trusting way. It was a privilege to be a part of it.
Training Camp is kind of like a rite of passage for any World Racer. It is tough – physically, spiritually, and relationally. We provide real life World Race scenarios to stretch the squad to problem solve, adjust to uncomfortable sleeping arrangements and foods, and invite them to experience God in new ways.
An outrageous amount of planning and work went into executing the first in-country training camp and launch for Fusion. Luckily we had an incredible team of leaders who had supernatural energy, an amazing sense of humor, and lots of love to share! It was way more fun than work ever should be!
For the past two weeks I had the pleasure of hearing stories of how God called each racer to Fusion; praying with many when the reality of being away for 11 months set in; laughing knowingly with those who were discovering that there were going to be months of white rice in their futures; and rejoicing when there was unspeakable joy in the Lord!
Coming back home was definitely a little hard (and not just because of my love for $1 Pad Thai). As much as I would love to have stayed a little longer, the office side of my job must go on…
I am part of a team that walks hundreds of future World Racers through the process of figuring out where God is calling them and guiding them as they take leaps of faith in applying and preparing to head onto the field for 11 months.
I remind myself that without the office the field would not be happening.
As I dive into 2015, I am still looking for monthly and one-time financial and prayer partners. I need to raise $300 per month in order to continue serving God in my position here at Adventures in Missions. If you would like to partner with me and what God is doing through the World Race, please follow this link or email me at [email protected] to talk more about how you can be a part of it!
Happy New Year!
xo, Mary
