Well folks…here is a small glimpse of my ten days in Georgia preparing the world race.
Throughout these ten days I did and learned various things about my future 11 months coming up. First of all, the people are AMAZING. I know for a fact I have already been blessed with people who are going to give me so much joy in life. There are 29 people on my squad, plus a few leaders who will be with us throughout the months. During the ten days we slept in tents, had different scenarios of real life examples from past racers, took bucket showers, and sweat A LOT. (Yes I came home pretty dirty, and was oh so thankful for a real shower) We also did lots of team building activities, because we were then split into teams of 5 or 6, who we will be traveling with to different areas of each country. Each team will be separated for the majority of the month by ministry (what contact we will be working with and what specific volunteer job we will have), and then will come back together at the end of the month to do a debrief and travel to the next country together. That is where I will be finding out where I will be going in the next country, and also what ministry I will be working with. Speaking of…my first ministry is an all girls home and we will be working with them daily, and speaking life into them. It is located in Pena Blanca Honduras, called Eternal Family Life. It is located right near a national park, and looks so beautiful!
Anyways back to training camp…
It was a little weird at first not knowing anyone..I kind of felt like a freshman in college again, but relationships came really easy based on our situation and everyone’s excitement. The first few days we focused on growing in our relationship with the Lord in times of worship, and messages. This was very powerful to see and feel, and getting to know others around us in our identity in Christ. One thing that stuck out to me all week was the word community. I think this word was so powerful and spoke to my soul because of how important community is. Especially because I will be “abandoning” my lifestyle back at home. The term abandonment is defined as: the act of giving up completely (whether this be a course of action, way of thinking, or practice.)
Now, I am not saying I am giving up my home life for good, but 11 months is a pretty long time to be leaving everything and everyone I know. I sometimes seem to think about it a lot, and I often think it seems a little crazy what I’m doing. But after learning more of why I am doing something like this, it makes it all worth it, and turns out..I’m not crazy! I will straight up tell you…living out of a backpack for 11 months will not be easy for me. BUT, I know that by doing so, it will change my character, I will see more simplicity in life, and what I actually need to survive on. At training camp I felt almost free not having to worry about the way I look because everyone accepted me for who I was, and not what I looked like. I also was told the that the things I will be living off in my backpack, that I am richer than many of the people I will be in contact with. Now that blows my mind. This again is something I need to remind myself daily of..just how blessed I am to have what I have, and the accessibility to what we have here in America.
This trip isn’t just an ordinary trip though. I will most likely be in rural areas, and not always in the nicest of places. It’s not a luxury vacation by any means, and by no means am I saying what I’m doing is better than what anyone else is doing. But what I’m here to tell you is I am doing this because deep down I have felt a call to serve the nations of around the world, and to share God’s love wherever I may go. Abandoning my lifestyle at home is going to be completely worth it because of the joy I will get to experience.
After these ten days, I know that this is where I am supposed to be in life. There have been years of uncertainty of what I’m supposed to do after college, worry of where I will fit in, and where I will feel completely at home. It’s funny because I won’t technically be in one places, but that’s okay. This is just another answered prayer of how I know God has a greater plan for my life than I could have thought, and chose every single person to be here at this specific time for a reason. Community stuck out to me because first it was something they stressed, but I also know this community is going to be so full of life. Although it’s only the first ten days of knowing these people, I feel they are going to change me more than I ever could have imagined. Since we will be living in close corners it may be a challenge at times, but something I will grow from in my walk with the Lord.
I am blown away by how good God is. The people is one of the huge things He has placed in my life, but also how He humbles me every time I do something or meet someone. A verse I really have been stuck on lately is James 1:2-3. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” No matter what the journey He will put me through, it is all joyful. All those hard trials through school, and life, to get to where I am at right now…well everything was worth it because I’m headed on this new journey, The World Race.
I’m so beyond excited to begin my journey, but I won’t be able to do it without you all. Supporting me financially is very much appreciated, and as always, just keeping me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare to leave.
XOXO
Paige
