Training camp ended three days ago. I have had three days to process, and still, I don’t even know where to begin to describe what just took place. I was part of a beautiful, life-changing experience as I abandoned my comfort zone, met the incredible people I will be traveling the world with, lived in true community, faced physical and spiritual challenges, and sought God with all that I am.
Just days before training camp, I injured my Achilles. Every time I took a step, I experienced sharp pain to the point that I could hardly walk. In order to go on the World Race, racers were given a fitness requirement of hiking three miles in fifty minutes with our packs on and this was to be completed at training camp. In other words, it was an extra inconvenient time for an injury.
I prayed for healing, and my family surrounded me and prayed in agreement. The pain persisted and I ended up going to the doctor the day before I left for training camp. I was told I had Achilles tendonitis and that I would likely be in pain for weeks and need physical therapy when I returned home.
Not only did I want the ability to complete the fitness requirement, but I wanted the pain to be completely gone and I wanted to jump. I knew I would be excited at training camp and anyone who knows me knows I jump when I get excited! I told God what I wanted. I prayed and believed the pain would be gone for training camp.
I woke up early the morning of October 19th to fly to Gainesville, GA for training camp. I was still experiencing some pain, which was somewhat discouraging, but at the same time, I felt an overwhelming amount of peace surrounding training camp and the World Race.
On the plane, I was reading Psalms and ended up in Psalm 94. Verse 18 reads, When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. God spoke to me powerfully through this verse. Any part of me that wasn’t trusting him with my pain or my venture outside of my comfort zone transitioned into trusting him in that moment.
On my right ankle, the same ankle I injured, I have a tattoo that says agape. In English, we only have one word for love. We don’t differentiate between different levels of love, but in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, there are different words for love. I got my tattoo as a reminder of agape love- the highest form of love, God’s perfect love.
As I exited the plane, my ankle was completely pain-free and has not given me another issue since. Praise God! I completed the fifty-minute fitness requirement in forty-five minutes and was able to jump anytime I pleased because God healed me.
At training camp, I ate a bug. I took bucket showers. I exercised with my squad before the sun came up. I let go. I grew closer to the Lord. I was vulnerable and honest. I opened up about my story. I got a taste of what I might encounter doing missions overseas. I stayed off of my phone and social media. I experienced true community.
I walked away from training camp with a full heart. I walked away with a new confidence that I am meant to do the World Race. I walked away with words of encouragement. I walked away with a family.
I have plenty of stories about all of our adventurous field simulations and sleeping scenarios and would love to share, so please ask!
This is my squad of forty-five people that I am happy to call my family.
We were also divided into smaller teams that will be serving different ministries within each country our squad travels to. These are the ladies I will start out doing ministry with!
My next financial deadline is December 16th. On that date, I need a total of $10,000 in order to launch with my team in January. I am $2,383 away from reaching $10,000 and ask that you consider giving.
I’m so excited for what God has in store. The world is in need of some good news for a change, and my squad and I are ready to share it with them. Thank you to each and every one of you for sharing this journey with me.
