I recently spent ten days in Georgia at training camp for the World Race. I went to camp unsure if I was supposed to be there and doubted that I belonged. Also, I didn’t believe that I would be able to build relationships with those in my squad. Good golly were those a bunch of lies straight from the lips of the enemy. Now I look back and laugh at the lies I was being fed because over the first day of meeting my squad at training camp I realized that they were my family. I had never experienced instant connections like we had as a squad and it was clear that God taken each of us and fit us together like a puzzle for his purpose.
This was the first step God used in calming my spirit during training camp and spiritually readying me for his plan in my life. True beauty is the Spirit of Christ and he was abundant during camp. From the worship that brought tears to the eye, to the man hike where God was on full display in nature, and to the influential people who the Lord spoke through to reach me. God was present in that place.
There were five different squads at training camp. Each squad leaves in August and has a different route. Also, each squad had trainers who were with us throughout the week. One night during worship, all of the trainers came to the front of the room and stood in front of the stage. we were then told that everyone needs hugs and that our trainers were there to give us a hug if we wanted one while we kept worshiping. That night I had been wrestling with my past shame and mistakes still being a burden to me. I walked up to one of my trainers named Wayne and I embraced him. I can’t even say how long the hug lasted but after sometime Wayne simple said “All i keep hearing is let go, what is holding you back doesn’t define you now.” I wept.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me through Wayne, reassuring me that I am deeply loved and forgiven. It was exactly what I needed to hear. The ten days I spent at training camp in Georgia were some of the most impactful days I have experienced. My squad and team are full of inspiring people and I am so excited for the life God has called all of us too. We arrived at training camp as strangers but we left as family.
