Family is defined as a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head (household). As I look up at that definition it fits perfectly into the last ten days of my life. As many of you know, over the last ten days I have been at World Race Training Camp. This has been nothing short of amazing and completely beautiful for me and the rest of my squad.
To start off, I would like to share a little bit about my experience in Gainesville, GA. I was so nervous to meet the people I’d be traveling the world with for the first time. As soon as I arrived at camp the team welcomed me with open arms and really loud voices (…Megan). I had no idea what to expect but it felt like I had been a part of that family for 10 years already. Without going into much detail (respect for future Racers) I’ll share three things I learned over these last few weeks.
1) Living in true community with each other was not what I expected it to be. Of course, sharing a tent with two other guys, hiking 13 miles on the AT, taking only two showers because bucket showers sometimes didn’t cut it, eating crickets with a 100 year old egg, and being completely vulnerable with each other are all considered deep community in my book. But what stood out to me was the powerful unity that we had as we literally lived out being the Church for 10 days straight.
2) Leadership derives from humility and wisdom. R squad’s leadership group is the best hands down. Everyone from our squad leaders, squad mentors, squad coaches, and our squad administrator has been outstanding. Without their humility and wisdom they poured over us I don’t think my experience at Training Camp would have been the same. That goes for AIM organization as a whole too! I can’t wait to serve with them for 11 months.
3) I didn’t understand ministry overseas as well as I thought I did. We had so many breakout sessions that taught us everything from children’s ministry on the field to what it means to have a long term effect while doing short term work. The amount of wisdom and information I gained by listening to people that have gone before me and seen what God can do with a simple yes in their spirit has been life-changing.
These are just a few things that God poured into my life while at training camp. He radically broke pieces off of my heart so that I could see more of Him. The spiritual growth that He has shown and given me in just ten short days has been wild beyond belief. The group I get to serve with in these next 11 months has shown me what it looks like to be vulnerable, live out His Kingdom, and reach a deeper relationship with my Creator. As family we get to go and reach the nations with the love of Christ. We are serving under one head and that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
While at training camp we also got to meet our new teams. As a whole, we are a squad of 45 racers. But AIM has divided us up into 7 teams that will work with many different ministries in the countries we will be traveling to.
MEET R SQUAD & TEAM MANNA!!!
My team and I have the privilege of serving Beacon of Hope – Africa Ministry in Mozambique, Africa for month one. All I know right now is that it is a home for teenage boys existing to empower young men to break free from the bondage of poverty through education, life skills training, and the love of Christ.
We are so excited for month one but we need your prayers and encouragement right now. Also, I am still sitting at $8,000 for my trip and I need $10,000 by December 16th. I ask that you please pray about donating. After finally being able to experience training camp I can tell you that God has big plans ahead for this group and the rest of R squad.
LOVE YOU ALL,
Tim
