I could probably write about training camp forever, but no one would read it all.. so let me just highlight some of the past 11 days spent in Gainseville, Georgia with my World Race people.
An average day at training camp looked like this:
6:45- wake up
7:30- team devotional
8:15- breakfast
9:00- session
10:00- session
11:00- session
12:00- lunch
1:00- session
3:00- squad time
4:00- personal time
5:30- dinner
7:00- worship
9:30- free time/bucket showers
11:00- sleep
Yes, you read that right.. we had multiple sessions a day, which means we had A LOT of talks. Including topics such as: the cost of discipleship, the ENTIRE Old Testament (yes, we learned it in roughly 2.5 hours! Ask me to give you a hand-motion run down of it next time you see me, haha). We learned how to appreciate cultural differences and the 3 types of cultural lenses. They taught us how to do children’s ministry, teach english, and preach. They informed us of different religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. We had talks on hearing God’s voice, worship, how to honor everyone we meet, commitments/expectations, and practicing clear communication. IT WAS A LOT OF INFO. But I feel more knowledgable and prepared than ever. I wouldn’t be surprised if my brain actually got bigger this week!!
I also did some CRAZY things. Like eat a cricket, hike (mostly run) 2 miles with a 35 lb backpack on, sleep in a tent in the rain, take only bucket showers, choreograph and perform an entire dance battle routine with my squad, and more.
But God… he did even CRAZIER things. He showed up big time at training camp. Let me share with you my favorite moment: one night we had a session about the power of the holy spirit and gospel. The speaker, Deon, basically told us that we are God’s vessels. God has the power to work through us. We are His hands and feet. Deon told stories of how he prayed for healing over a blind woman in South Africa, and she regained her vision. So, Deon then asked the room “does anyone in here have a migraine?” And my teammate, Christine, had been having migraines all week because she forgot her medicine at home. So we pointed at her and she raised her hand. Deon asked her to come on stage so he (and everyone in the room) could pray for her. When we were done, Christine said her pain (on a scale of 1 to 10) went from a 6 to a 0!!!!!! JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!!!! And the cool part was that it wasn’t a temporary fix. The next morning, she woke up with absolutely no headache (for the first time since 7th grade!!!) HOW COOL IS OUR GOD?!
It didn’t end with Christine though, because another girl with a migraine came on stage and was also prayed over and HEALED!
We kept praying and God kept healing.
Deon said to the room “anyone who is in pain tonight, raise your hand. Then the people around them, lay a hand and pray for healing.” So I went to a girl on my squad, Arielle, who had lower back pain. A group of us surrounded her (it was cool to hear the entire room echoing in prayer!) After a few minutes, she stopped to bend over and stretch, to reveal that SHE WAS FREED FROM HER PAIN TOO!!!!! Her back no longer ached!!!
Minute by minute, person by person, faith was increasing.
Next, my teammate Courtlan said she had knee problems ever since she was little, and they always hurt her so bad she couldn’t even do a squat or walk up stairs without feeling pain. So, we surrounded her in prayer and after a while she stopped to try a squat.. and I bet you can guess what happened.. SHE COULD MOVE HER KNEES WITHOUT ANY PAIN!!! JESUS IS A HEALER!!!!
I’m not making this stuff up.
It actually happened.
I thought these things only happened in the old biblical days when Jesus was actually on Earth, but no. I was wrong.
About 20 people went on stage that night to testify that they were healed. Isn’t that amazing?!
JESUS IS ALIVE AND USING HIS PEOPLE AS VESSELS TO PERFORM MIRACLES AND EXPAND HIS KINGDOM!
My faith in God probably quadrupled that night. Any sort of box I put Him in was crushed. God is so much more capable of miracles and life changes than I ever comprehended.
This is why I’m excited for the race.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” -Matthew 10:8.
We’ve seen that these things are possible, and now we are going to live this verse out. My team and I are expectant of the Lord to do GREAT things this year. We’re praying for miracles, life change, and redemption. Will you join us in praying for the same things?
