If I were to try and put you into words, with all the details, it would take forever. The Race does not begin at launch, it begins now. I’ve spent the past 4 hours of my flight layover processing everything that happened this week by going through all of my photos and reading my journal. I am so immensely thankful that we have such a good, good Father. God’s love radiated in this place, it was real, and it was hard but ultimately, it was so incredible and free.
I learned that we little humans don’t need as much food, sleep or caffeine as we think to function or to feel strong. We don’t need to take showers, put on perfume or wear make up everyday to feel beautiful. We don’t need to perform or act to make us feel loved. All we need is our Father, all we need is to ask the Holy Spirit to encounter every area of our lives. I have never felt more alive than I did at Training Camp. Jesus took every fiber of my being, crushed my expectations and made me feel new again. He introduced me to a new family, one that I have the honor and privilege of spending a year ministering the gospel around the world with. I seriously cannot express how much these people pictured above mean to me. I love each and every one of them in their own unique, spirit-filled, crazy, adventurous way, with all of my heart. Adventures in Missions & the World Race community have something really, really special, magical actually. I used to think that being humble was the most attractive thing ever, but I learned something new this week – vulnerability. Being vulnerable has such a powerful impact. It opens doors, it heals wounds, it provides trust, it creates space to love yourself, love others and realize that you’re not alone. You’re never alone. Words of wisdom from a wonderful lady I met that spoke straight from her heart proclaimed this: “I want us to be owners and proud of the woman that God created us to be! We have a purpose, on purpose. Instead of comparing each other, why don’t we learn from each other? See the goodness of the women around you. Speak truth into who you are, so that when you fall, they can pick you right back up and remind you of these truths with who you are. I am kind, I am natural, I am beautiful, I am unique, I am a peacemaker, I am creative, I am worthy, I am a daughter of the King, I am a sister, I am me. I am me. I am me. There’s a sparkle about you that is all your own, and God created you that way. Embrace it and walk in that light so it’s contagious and radiates off of others to shine.”
Six more weeks until launch! I need to stop thinking so much and just trust in the Lord with all of my heart. I still have a ways to go to be fully funded, but I’ve seen miracles happen & I pray that the Lord spreads the word like a wildfire to see His kingdom come. The American Dream is not big enough for me, to have a nice home, live in a hip city (Portland, I love you), own pretty clothes, have a successful career with more money than I need – NO. The American Dream is not big enough for me because I have kingdom dreams. I have dreams of speaking life and truth into people, to see the nations come to know and feel the love of the Father who so greatly longs to be with us. To experience life in someone else’s shoes that are not my own. To take in the beauty of the earth around me, to bring hope to the hopeless and light to the darkness. I’m ready to live in total abandonment and see how He’s going to use us this year. It’s going to be radical & intentional. I cannot do this alone, but the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives inside of me and I will not stand still and let the oppressed be unheard. They have stories to tell and I have the willingness to GO and give them a voice. For those of you that are worried about us and keep thinking “What if something really bad happens to us?” I’m here to remind you that the Lord says, “What if something really good happens to us?” May His glory reign amongst all things. Let us be a people of awareness and not a people of fear. Thank you Training Camp, thank you X-Squad for opening my eyes to what it means to be authentic in my walk with the Lord and to love with a love that knows no bounds. Thank you to all of my donors, supporters, prayer warriors, family and friends, my gratitude is immeasurable and I can feel the force of all the support around me.
I’ll leave you with this verse that has been on my heart all week from Psalm 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. There is so much power in the essence of a story and we’re gonna move mountains.
Love, B.
