I walk into the
Atlanta airport, wondering ‘How in the world am I going to find them?’ I’m looking
for 19 college-age students who have been told to arrive at between 2 and 4pm
for “Training Campâ€� for their Real Life Exposure trip. I know after hanging out with me in
Atlanta for two days, they are flying out for Swaziland and South Africa to
spend a month in ministry. But that’s it. So, again, how am I supposed to find
them?
I start laughing as I walk into the massive airport atrium, marked by a
large statue of a TRex and a scattering of army guys recently back from a tour.
Right in front of me is a group of young adults, surrounded by backpacks,
smiling and chatting with each other. I don’t know if it’s the backpacks, the
characteristic Chaco’s, or the air of “We don’t know what we’re doing right
now, but we’re ok with it� but I knew this was the group. After introducing
myself as their “trainer� and trying to store away 19 names in a matter of five
minutes, we parade out to the hotel shuttle.
For the next
two days we all hang out in Atlanta. We talk about why they’re going to Africa.
What they want to do with their lives. Why they’re questioning their faith. How
to stay safe in Africa. What the Lord has been saying recently, or simply
confirming that the Lord can speak to them. Love is absolutely overflowing in
my life during this time. I can’t explain why I’m here, other than to tell them
a little bit about my experience, pour out some of the lessons the Lord has
hammered into my life, and hug all of them before they boarded the plane.
During my time with this amazing group, I felt more exposed than I had since my arrival back in the States. Answering questions, leading discussions on “Travel Safety” and then “Listening Prayer”, I was pouring out so much of my experience on the Race. I think I talked more in two days than I think the first two weeks of being home.
It was sooo good! It reminded me of a quote that I wrote in my Bible at some point on the Race:
Let yourself be poured out.
The blessing of letting that happen – of letting my experience and words and hopes be poured out – was absolutely amazing. It was so invigorating to spend time watching these 19 stepping out and rising up to so much more in their faith! It re-kindled my desire. It’s given me so much hope for what is actually possible in this generation.
