Fusion squad is well and truly blessed. For our training camp Dave and Karen Eubank very graciously opened up their property which is just outside Chiang Mai and gave our whole squad and our leadership team free reign of their property for five days. They have acres of land which includes a private lake with canoeing, mango groves, horseback riding, monkeys and puppies.
The Eubanks run an organisation called Free Burma Rangers, they bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma. It was such a blessing for us to be able to connect with the Eubanks and to learn about the work that they are doing in Burma. They really are inspirational courageous and brave brave people. I encourage you to read more about the work their are doing and to spread the word about what is going on in Burma.
Here is their motto:
Love each other. Unite and work for freedom, justice and peace. Forgive and don’t hate each other. Pray with faith, act with courage, never surrender.
We spent five days going deeper into World Race culture and learning about brokenness, abandonment, grief journaling and forgiveness, listening prayer and the holy spirit and are lucky enough to have Seth Barnes as part of our leadership team alongside our squad coaches (Parents) Tim and Karen Dilbeck, our squad mentor Scott Kwak and our squad leaders See Eun, Diane and Daniel. There were tears, there were breakthroughs, there was intimacy and most of all God showed up and filled the place.
We camped – the first night I actually tried to sleep in my hammock but it got super cold so I ended up getting into my tent at around 11:30pm. We ‘lost’ half our luggage so had to share tents, we slept in a big room all together. Training Camp has a big focus on community. There was also team selection, which involved us being split into groups to do activities.
After two days of team selection our teams were announced.
The wonderful group of people that I get to grow with, do ministry with are: Mercy Preston, Callie Elmore, JaeRim Park, Andrew Hancock and Simeon Rodgers and we call ourselves the Ja-You Warriors (Ja-You means Freedom in Korean)
Left to Right: Simeon, Mercy, Me, Callie, Andrew and Jay
Mercy
Mercy and I clicked on day one and have spent an awful lot of time together since, twinnies. She is a risk taker who is completely on fire for God and I am so excited to do life with her over the next year.
Callie
Callie and I bonded on the first morning when we were both feeling overwhelmed. She has a sweet and gentle spirit with the ability to keep us all in order. I love her like a sister already and am so glad she is on my team.
Jay
Jay is from Korea and is one of the loveliest people I have met, she radiates love and has the best smile ever. I am so glad she is on my team and am really looking forward to everything that I can learn from her.
Andrew
Andrew brings about him a sweet reminder of home because of his love for Everton FC. He is so respectful and definitely puts us girls first. I feel blessed that he is my team mate and am looking forward to seeing everything he can bring to the team.
Simeon
Simeon is the older brother I always dreamed of having, he has such a creative spirit – he is passionate about worship and has a wonderful way with words.
As soon as our teams were announced we were given the task of going on a ‘treasure hunt’ which is when you do listening prayer and ask God who is on his heart and then go out and find this person. Check back later for a blog on how our ATL (Ask The Lord) went.
The second night we were tasked with going out with our team and making a memory. My team headed to a market to get lanterns and then we went down to the river to set them off. It was such a beautiful moment.
Photo Credit: Andrew Hancock
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. – Psalm 55:22
