Have you ever spent 11 days tenting in the North Georgia hills in preparation for a year abroad on mission? Have you ever seen the Church as God meant it in the form of 150 smelly millennials? Has your heart ever poured over for the privilege of abandoning life as you know it to latch on to the abundant life Jesus knows you should have?
I have.
This is only a small glimpse into what World Race Training Camp was for me.
Even in its most stretching moments, this time allowed me to dive into this crazy thing he called me to with JOY.
My smile widens when I think about the people I get to chase this wild adventure alongside. Real, raw, unashamed community in the church is what I’ve been craving ever since I became a follower of Christ.
You see, there’s been this nagging voice of shame in the back of my head saying my past is too ugly to ever fit in with the perfect cradle to gravers. My head loves to tell me I’m terminally unique. If the enemy had his way, I’d go the rest of my life believing I don’t deserve to fit in with the real “church crowd.”
God finally squashed that lie (because a lie is all it is) at Training Camp.
Not only did I soak in teachings about various types of ministry, discipleship, evangelism, and life on the field; I received reassurance that I would have the most solid group of people around me to do it. They are imperfect people who love the most perfect God, and they are not afraid to be vulnerable about that. This was my prayer, and God delivered big time. I want you to meet them!
V SQUAD!
My squad of 26 World Race missionaries will travel on the same country route for the duration of the race. We are split into four teams of six or seven people each. Our teams will partner with different ministry hosts throughout each country, so one team’s ministry could look pretty different from the next. We will travel together and serve together during All Squad Month, which is set to be in Guatemala for month two. We share the same coaches, mentor, squad leader, mobilizer, and logistics coordinator whom we all ADORE. I couldn’t have asked for a better squad and leadership team!
Meet my team: Vessel of Peace
After a series of team formation exercises, our leadership split the squad into four teams. Our squad has two co-ed teams and two all-girls teams. I am so pumped to be God’s hands and feet with these lovely ladies. We all feel an overwhelming peace on this team, so we decided to declare that over ourselves through our team name. We hope to carry that same peace with us in all of our endeavors.
From left to right:
Niki is from Soddy Daisy, TN and she’s probably one of the most hype people I’ve ever met. She has a huge heart for people and it shines through big time.
Hannah is from St. Louis, MO and has an impeccably sweet spirit. I can’t wait to watch her teach kiddos in Central America all the best line dances.
Julia is from Birmingham, AL and will be empowering all of us as our Team Leader. She is a great example of a servant leader and carries true humility in all that she does.
Lizzy is from Huntsville, AL and loves all things Uganda. She’s served several times with SOZO Children and it’s become clear that God will specifically use her to minister to children through the entire race.
Kayla is from Rock Hill, SC and is a fantastic worship leader. I’m crossing my fingers that her beautiful voice and guitar skills rub off on me.
Thanks for taking some time to get to know the wonderful people I will be serving with during the beginning on this journey. Feel free to click the links on their names and subscribe to their blogs.
I miss my squad already, but I am hoping for a restful next six weeks leading up to launch. I can hardly believe that we head out in just 48 days! Please pray that I can be present during these last weeks with friends and family.
If you would still like to support me financially, it’s not too late. Any amount helps and the sooner, the better! You can donate directly on my blog by clicking the “donate!” button in the top right. As always, thank you so much to all of you who have helped me get here.
With love,
McKenzie
