A few weeks ago, I returned home after spending 11 days in Gainesville, Georgia at the World Race training camp. Which means that I can officially check camping in a parking lot with 100 other people off my bucket list…except I’m not even sure that was ever on my bucket list.
If you’re wondering what is training camp, this blog is my attempt to explain how God absolutely rocked my world, gave me 50 instant new best friends and a fervent YES in my heart.
Training camp is truly unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. And I’d go as far as to say it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced as well. It’s an environment of people constantly dancing around like fools; long, loud sleepless nights and phrases like “all the things” being thrown around. But it’s also a place where people unashamedly worship a King so unimaginably good and possess a feverish love that cannot and will not be contained.
My first day there I stood next to one of my squad mates – a girl I had met only 10 minutes earlier– as our first worship session began. I was instantly overwhelmed with a presence for which I had no understanding. I turned to my squad mate and I knew we were thinking the same thing. “These are my people.”
I won’t lie to you. I’m scared out of my mind. I don’t want to leave my family. My friends. My easy-going comfort zone of Norman, Oklahoma. When people tell me that they could never do what I’m doing, that they can’t believe I’m giving up everything to live in a tent for a year, I want to scream at them “DON’T LET ME DO IT!”
I’m absolutely terrified. But what’s funny is I begged the Lord for this exact opportunity time and time again. Ever since I was in middle school my prayers have often circled around the idea of Legacy. I wanted to leave a legacy on the world. One that people could never forget. One that people would speak about for ages. However, it wasn’t until more recently that I would like to admit that I realized the legacy I was looking to leave behind had nothing to do with me.
Trust me people; be careful what you pray for because the Big Man will always deliver.
So you want to know what I learned at camp? I learned that none of this has anything to do with me. That my fear is selfish and unnecessary. It wasn’t until I was reminded of a verse that this began to sink in.
“But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 44:2
He has called us BY NAME. We are HIS. And so even though the world around us may seem dark, the fire within us burns brighter than anything we could ever imagine. He has already gone before us and it’s up to us to let everyone know that.
So now I want to ask you to pray for my 50 new best friends and me as we excitedly set out to leave a legacy of a Father who knows no bounds.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- My squad will no longer be traveling to Burkina Faso. Instead we will spend a month in Laos!
- I’m almost FULLY FUNDED! However, instead of donating through my blog, please check out my latest fundraiser on my Facebook page here (https://www.facebook.com/quincy.taylor.946). Any donations made over my $17,361 goal will go to a general Adventures in Missions fund. So to ensure your donation is put to use for my trip, please email me by clicking the “contact” button on the side of my blog for more information on how to donate.
