Training camp. It was beautiful, it was overwhelming, it was full and freeing.
Camp started in the Atlanta airport, that’s where I met my first bunch of F squad World Racers! We were easy to spot, we were the ones wearing red t-shirts with overpacked backpacks and a nervous smile plastered on our faces. Once we were able to sit, get some starbucks and start the process of trying to remember everyone’s name, we all calmed down and the nerves settled.
The week of camp brought challenges to be sure! Our first morning brought a thirty minute run, followed by a breakfast of fish head soup, which is really just rice water, a few spices and sardines. So “yummy”!
Photo by Sam Francart
It brought the challenge of trying to bring all 55 of us together to acomplish common goals. For instance, trying to fit 55 packs and people onto a school bus to “sleep” for a night.
Photo by Sam Francart
Camping out In Georgia for a week, was more fulfilling than I could have dreamed. It was hard at points, but those hard points were nothing compared to seeing God move in mighty ways. I saw him move in my squad, as we grew closer together through tough team challenges. I saw him move in the ladies, as one night we poured our hearts out to one another, confessing sins and claiming freedom together. I saw him move in the men, as they faced physically demanding challenges one moment, then poured out their hearts in worship the next. I saw freedom in my own heart and a new identity begin to blossom. I saw true joy, true community and true healing.
I even saw deaf ears open!
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Describing training camp must also include a brief description of my new family, my team! My F squad was broken down into 8 teams. Our squad has squad leaders and trainers, helping guid us through training camp. These are the people that prayed over our squad and poured into us during camp, I am so thankful for all their prayers and wisdom.
After team formation exercises were over and lots of prayer had happened, I found out that I would be a team leader. My team name, is Team Heaven Like Earth, inspired by a song by Jonathan David Helser and of course, our Jesus. Jesus told us to pray the the Father’s will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven, and that will be our team’s prayer. We will seek the Kingdom of Heaven everywhere we go, bringing it in our hands, our smiles, our actions and our words. Below is my awesome team, I look forward to serving the least of these along side of them.
Team Earth Like Heaven!
From left to right, Amanda, Mike, Becky, Me, Cassidy, Justin and Lindsey! Yes, those are balloon animals in our hands 🙂
