To quote my Squad-mate Jacqueline, “there is a lot of Jesus in this room”, and boy-oh-boy was there a lot of Jesus at Training Camp. In all honesty if you put 300+ young adults through 10 days of spiritual formation training, physical challenges, and team building adventures it is only a matter of time before something miraculous happens. Here are the 3 major events that happened during training camp that I feel exemplify when Jesus showed up for our squad.
- Kara’s foot.
Kara is our lovable short red headed bucket of knowledge. She is a fundraising machine and always-on her missionary game. However coming out of the fitness hike something had happened to her Achilles heel. During that next day’s morning ‘work out’, we walked and talked about how we thought training camp was going so far. She was keeping her spirits up even though she was visibly hurting. As the day progressed her foot got worse. As the squad had a dance-off Kara sat to side visibly disappointed in herself. The day was coming to a close and during worship Kara was sitting on the floor, ice pack on her foot. She was defeated. I kept looking down at her foot knowing what needed to be done. But I did not want to be the cavalier Jesus Freak and paint myself as the charismatic frontrunner for the group so I kept to myself, always with an eye on Kara. I then felt a tap on my shoulder. Brooke (my soon to be brilliant and graceful team leader) told me she felt as if we should pray for Kara’s foot. I replied with an ecstatic yes and sprung into action. The squad gathered around Kara as Brooke began to pray. As the snot began to flow from Kara’s nose I made sure she had tissues. I was not going to give up until she was healed. I knew something was breaking in this group, and this moment would be a defining moment for our squad. I asked Kara what the pain was from 0-10 she replied “7”. The squad continued to press in. I did not press my agenda forward; I was here to watch and support. Some of the girls began to come in and kiss Kara’s foot. I felt as if there was more to this then just physical pain, there were mental blocks that needed to be mended. I placed my hand above her head. Rebekah then came in again and kissed Kara’s foot, then she took her hands and lifted her up, asking her to test it out. Kara moved her foot back with in a way that would have been impossible only moments before. I asked her what her pain level was at from 0-10 she replied “0”. At this point my hands shot to the sky and shouted. We had just witnessed a genuine old-fashioned Jesus miracle. The squad erupted and worship only magnified to greater levels of intensity.
It was at this moment, on Day 4, I knew I belonged. This was what I wanted to do. This is what I have clung to, the belief that Jesus works the same today has he did 2,000 years ago. This is why I am here. To experience the fullness of what the Gospel says is true.
- The One Night it didn’t Rain
The squad campout was a mini adventure unto itself. All 37 of us were packed into two small vans and shipped out to a campsite to fend for ourselves. Staff supplied food and a handful of tarps and rope to feed and shelter our whole squad. As we arrived there were three obvious tasks to complete, 1) gather fire food and create a fire to cook the food, 2) create a edible concoction to be cooked on the fire, & 3) create a shelter to keep everyone dry. I tried to make myself useful, but people were already working on the fire, and there were already enough hands chopping and cutting veggies. So I was forced into creating a shelter. This was the last thing on my radar. As the girls and I threw ideas regarding the shelter around, I could only think about the rain. It had rained EVERY DAY of Training Camp so far, and the weather app predicted showers later that night. As we collectively built a shelter with a tarp that had holes in it, I started to proclaim that it would not rain on us. I was not alone in this, Rebekah causally slipped in a “thank you Jesus, for not letting it rain on us”, into her prayer for the food. I was holding fast, using all the faith I could muster. Jesus would not let it rain on us, the shelter we had created would not be tested by the elements. As I was putting the finally touches to the shelter, in attempt to cover the holes, Kara asked me what I was doing. I replied “Trying to cover the holes, even though it will not rain on us.” She fired back, “what if it does?” I turned to look at her and replied, “Then I only prophesy in part.”
Kara had set up an extra hammock for me so more ladies could fit in the makeshift shelter. As I the night progressed I woke up every few hours to check if it was raining. As the dawn approached there was no rain in sight, and it had appeared that we had a dry night. I was ecstatic. I firmly believed I just witnessed a miracle.
As we were bussed back to Training Camp HQ the entire campus was wet. It had poured less then 30 minutes away, but Jesus kept us dry all night. I chalk that up as a win.
- Storyteller Position
During Training Camp I really started to doubt what I was doing on this Race. Where did I fit in with this group? What was my position going to be? Before departing for Training Camp I had my heart set on vlogging this whole experience. Not only would these 11 months be time to really get to know God again, and have a supernatural experience, but it would great time to actually commit myself to practicing a trade (videography). However as the week progressed the more doubt crept into my mind. I wanted to use video as the main medium to connect with my supporters/partners. I want to show what I am doing, as well as writing the deeper moments of my experience. My whole squad was excited for me to try this out, but I still was not 100% confident in myself. On the third day I met Julia Robertson, a person I really look up to as she paved the way for Racers to Vlog their experiences. Even as she met me the first thing she said to me was, “I literally just finished watching your video.” Even that encounter was not enough to shake my doubt.
It was the final day as I awoke from a deep nap and made my way back to Training Camp HQ. “Caleb, they are looking for you.”
“Caleb, you have to be in the Training Center at 1:30.”
“Caleb, you got the storyteller position.”
As I met with the marketing team for the WorldRace it began to sink in, this is confirmation that God believes in my dreams as much, or more, then I do. It was the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, and the extra side of BBQ sauce. This was going to happen. I was going to have a team, a storytelling coach, and a squad who would back me in supporting my dreams. This may seem trivial compared to the first two miraculous experiences, but this meant the world to me. Not only does God work in the supernatural realm of healing, not only do I have faith to cause Him to move on my/and my squads behalf, but He also believes in my dreams and in me 100%.
THIS IS HAPPENING.
And you can partner with the Divine and Me in making my dreams come true. Jesus has come through in so many miraculous ways so far. There is no reason that He would not carry me through.
