Adventures in Georgia!
Driving into Gainesville, Georgia I asked myself: “what am I doing here?” I just drove almost 3,000 miles and I still didn’t know exactly why God was calling me here. I felt God calling me to leadership so I took a step of faith and joined the Leadership Track for CGA (Center for Global Action). Although I was a bit nervous about this new chapter, I had a peace knowing that God has me here for a reason. Sometimes we just have to step out on a limb and see where God takes us. What I have learned is that God really blesses us during the times where we take that leap. Even if we don’t exactly know what we are doing in that season, God meets us where we are at.
Here are the things I get to be a part of here in Gainesville:
The Community:
I get to live in a wonderful, cozy little house on a lake. Three of the girls in the house are friends who I did the World Race with so we already are really close. There are two more girls in our house who were on different squads, and we have connected with them really quickly. Aside from all the girls, we have two house mentors; a married couple as well as their two-year old daughter. Our mentors have been so great, and weekly we have “family” dinner/game night! All six of us girls are doing CGA so we get to support/encourage each other daily. I have been so blessed by these girls already and is such a great community to be a part of. In one night we may partake in painting our nails, working out, wrestling, building a human pyramid, and having a serious talk about where everyone is at.
Besides the community in our house, the CGA community has organized volleyball and ultimate Frisbee every week. It has been really fun to get to know others through these activities. I also got to be a part of a lip syncing competition and a Jurassic Park party. Recently, I have found a church I like here and joined a Life Group for young adults to get to know people outside of CGA too. Last weekend I was able to go with a friend into the Georgia mountains and go off-roading in her jeep! Last night, one of the other CGA houses on the lake put on a Worship night and we all came over and worshipped together.
The Apprenticeship:
After orientation and a camping trip, we started our Apprenticeships and Track Courses. Each day we spend half of the day doing our Apprenticeship and half the day in our Track. The Track Courses are specific for each person’s track, so in leadership I get all sorts of different classes and trainings to grow in leadership. So far we have learned about approval addiction (people pleasing), listening skills, and stepping outside of our box. All these things stretch and grow us to become stronger and more effective leaders. During my Apprenticeship I work with a group, also doing leadership, to come up with new ideas to improve things about the World Race. So far we have been coming up with ideas for the upcoming Training Camp and also just created a ministry training manual for Racers on the field. I have had the chance to lead our group discussion, and work on my own leadership skills.
This coming week is Training Camp for 5 upcoming squads who are all launching in January! We are so excited for them to come tomorrow! It is so crazy for me because almost exactly 2 years ago I was heading to my Training Camp and now I get to be a trainer! As a trainer, I will be partnered up with a squad and see how they interact. In doing so we will be able to pray and decide how the teams should be formed on each squad.
Support Raising Goals:
First of all, I just want to express that I am so thankful for the support in prayer and donations to help me get here. I have been so blessed already during this season and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help! Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with me! I have $800.00 left to raise, so any help is really appreciated! J I need to have that final amount funded by November 1st. I sure appreciate you all!
