WOW!! We have yet to leave the United States and God has and is already moving in us and through us. Training camp has stretched us physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually. Our mornings begin with a healthy lifestyle workout whether that be a run, aerobics, yoga, etc. Then each day is devoted to a country, continent or aspect of the World Race.
Sunday began with Asia, specifically China. Ramen noodles for breakfast, rice for other meals with only chopstix as utensils. Monday was a race day so we had cereal, then left for a retreat without knowing where we were going or what to expect. We ended up at a State Park, where we took time to spend with God and write a grief journal. Grieving the seasons of our lives in order to move forward without holding onto the past. Community sleeping in shelters, meals cooked in the campfire, discussions about listening prayer and our spiritual journey. Tuesday brought a long hike of surrendering to Christ the things we try so hard to hold onto, carrying those things written on a log that we carried on our hike until laying them at the foot of the cross. We were then told to pack up, we were leaving that night, but first we gathered around the campfire and we poured out our hearts and boldly shared to the whole squad/team what we are surrendering to the Lord.
Wednesday became India day. We ate rice with sauce with our hands while sitting on the ground as typical in an Indian household. The day consisted mostly of team building activities that will help the World Race leaders create nine teams of 6-7 members from our 55 person squad. These teams will be our closest family for the next eleven months. Pray that God will work within these teams to become all that He has planned for them.
Thursday (today) is Africa day. Breakfast was a solid cornmeal and water mixture served cold. Meetings with our squad coaches, who will debrief us at the end of every month, a team building activity, and administrative communication has made up our morning. Lunch was more of the cornmeal mixture, this time served warm with beef and gravy, surprisingly really good!! As I write this, we are waiting for final team building decisions.
Training camp activities and discussions have reached into each of our hearts and has binded us together as more than just friends or a team, but as a family. A family that stands broken before the Lord, encouraged and strengthened by each other and by the promise of God’s faithfulness and love.
