On day two of training camp, we were sitting on the floor as our trainers came around and prayed over us individually. A voice, presumably my Squad Mentor, although I wasn’t sure as I’d just met her earlier that day, came up behind me, rested her hands on my back for a minute then said,
“I don’t know why but I see you looking out at a canyon. You’re trying to figure out how to get to the other side. You look to your right and see a bridge that’s been there the whole time.”
I mulled over this image as she said a quick “Amen,” gave my shoulders a quick squeeze and walked away. It was in that moment I knew training camp was going to change my life.
Of course I’ve prayed countless times before. I’ve had people pray for me and over me; that was something I was expecting. What I wasn’t expecting was a woman whom I’d just met (and who I don’t even think remembered my name while praying for me) saw an image that so quickly answered a question I’ve been asking God for a long time now: where are you?
The next ten days involved a lot of listening to God, getting mad at God, forgiving God, asking God to forgive me and ultimately finding God in places I hadn’t thought to check before – I seemed to be finding bridges on a daily basis. There were countless more moments where people prayed over me, as well as God using me to pray over other people. There were “a-ha” moments, “Why, God?” moments and moments where God left me speechless.
Like that first day, more visions and images that God had placed in my teammates minds were cast over me – visions that brought me peace, affirmed my decision to go on the World Race and introduced me to a lack of fear through Christ that I have never experienced. And by quieting my mind and learning how to silence all other voices, God gave me visions for myself and other people’s walk in their faith. We witnessed multiple healings and around a campfire one night, my Squad quite literally witnessed how faith in God can quite literally bring a dead fire back to life.
One of the biggest blessings this past week came in the form of 19 women who I can now call my sisters. Quick fact: In 5 generations of the World Race, our squad (C Squad) is the first all-female 11n11 (11 countries in 11 months) squad the Race has seen. And if you talked to me before I left, you know how terrified I was about being on a squad with all girls. I thought I needed that “male adrenaline” to push me so to say I was unenthused would be an understatement; but the moment I arrived at the campsite, I was proven wrong. I’ve never been more humbled than I am to be a part of C Squad. Sure we’re small but we are mighty! And God has already used us to move mountains. It’s truly an honor to be a member of this C-sterhood. (get excited for the copious amount of C-ster play-on words to follow!)
I’m keeping this brief because honestly, I’m still processing everything God did over these past ten days. But here are a few takeaways:
– I finally feel ready to go on the World Race! No, I don’t feel I have all the answers I was looking for. But I’ve got God; and that’s all I need!
– I’m not in this journey alone – I have nineteen sisters right by my side. And God has placed each and every one of them on this journey with me for a reason. Man, I just love them so much already.
– As life changing as training camp was, it wasn’t the reason I’m walking away changed; that’s all God! Sure, He used these ten days to wreck me and put me back together, but the miracles lie in Him; the life change lies in His love for and pursuit of us.
– I have a newfound crippling fear of wild boars (feel free to ask about this one).
In five weeks, my squad will meet back up in Georgia for some final training before launch. In those five weeks, keep an eye out for updates of what God’s doing in my life and the lives of my teammates, how I’m preparing to leave the country, as well as fundraising opportunities.
If you have questions about training camp and want to hear more of these INCREDIBLE stories and life transformations that took place or want to talk about ways you can support this journey, please reach out! This is a milestone in my faith that I want to share with everybody who has so generously supported me.
Here’s some final encouragement: if you’re having trouble finding God, look for the bridge He’s given you. Your walk with God is not one you have to do alone.
