My heart is so full as I attempt to bring you all into what I experienced these last ten days in Gainesville, Georgia at World Race Training Camp.
The conditions were tough. I cried pretty often. We slept in our tents (sometimes two people at a time) and took bucket showers. Also.. no indoor plumbing for ten days. That’s right. Port-o-potties became the norm. We hiked three miles with our big packs, ate foreign foods without knowing what meat we were actually consuming, became incredibly vulnerable as we reached our breaking points, and to God be the Glory we actually all made it out alive.
(also I should add I met Julia Robertson and TOTALLY fan-girled hard over her and she probably thinks I’m crazy – ask me about the story. you won’t regret it.)
Training Camp was more than just my experience though, it was about something much greater. It brought together 51 strangers and made them family. Our squad is pioneering the first ALL FEMALE SQUAD!!! We are pumped for this honor and I have seen just a glimpse of how incredible this experience will be. So a large thank you shout out to Adventures in Missions for loving us so well and entrusting us with this responsibility.
This is Gap I squad!!
We learned to love one another and see each sister as a beloved daughter in Christ, and man was that a beautiful thing. I witnessed mental and spiritual healing for girls who were dealing with forgiveness or dark places in their past. I saw light come from darkness and girls become forever changed by this week. Being grateful for that doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Over the course of ten excruciatingly difficult days, I made some of my very best friends. We laughed and cried together through ridiculous scenarios and scary foods. We had vulnerable, deep conversations that took us to places I had never been exposed to. Most of all though, we became more and more ready for this incredible journey that God has called us to do together.
we are so ready!!
These beautiful Jesus freaks and I are part of Team Fierce Love! We were put together after consideration from our training team (squad mentor, squad leaders, and many other amazing women who hold a special place in our hearts) and lots of prayer. We went through days of team building, team formations, and field scenarios to ensure that the people we will be spending at least three months of this trip with are compatible and willing to work together to share the Love of Jesus to all the nations.
As we prepare ourselves to go out to Cambodia in 6 weeks (crazy I know) we are dwelling on how God has shown us the kingdom within our relationships with one another. We will be going and seeking his kingdom to plant his seeds, water the seeds he has already planted there, and reap what is ready for harvest.
God is already in the places we are going, we are simply going and loving on his people. We will be lights among the people in these places. We will be journeying together for 9 months for something far greater than we could ever achieve ourselves.
Just me, my ladies, and the Holy Spirit.
Fundraising!! I have officially reached $6,000!! What does this mean? This means I need only $4,000 more in 2-4 weeks to reach my deadline! What happens if I do not reach the September 16th deadline? I will not launch with my team or squad to Cambodia. But here’s the cool part, I know, I KNOW I will reach that deadline so I am not worried. I watched my first goal go over $5,000 within 3 weeks so I know this second deadline will be a piece of cake! Because it takes around 7-10 business days to process online I am asking that any of you who want to see me keep going, give by September 6th. 2 weeks, $4,000=Possible. If you would like to give, just click the donate button right above on this blog page! Talk about easy! If you would like to know when I post new blogs, just click “subscribe”
Thank You! Thank you to every person who gave financially, supported me through words of encouragement and prayer, and who helped get me to training camp. I honestly could not do any of this without you. Thank you for reading, God bless!
-Elizabeth
