I had packed, unpacked and repacked. I refolded, rearranged, zip-tied, stuffed and vacuum-sealed. Each and every pocket had a purpose. Carabineers became little miracles holding things that didn’t fit inside. The packing blogs and youtube videos were paying off as I sat atop my pack to cinch the top closed and heard the satisfying “click” of the final buckle.
Done.
Now fast-forward to my first night of training camp when I forgot hair-ties and quickly realized that while my pack was full, I wasn’t going to need any of it. Not the wool socks, not the insect repellent sleeping bag liner, not the quick-dry towels and certainly not the Crocs. Not one thing.
Turns out, all I was going to need was Jesus.
My supplies and my preparations, my tools, my clothes and my packing lists. It was all mine; all what I was capable of doing for myself. What proceeded to happen over the next 10 days is a testimony in itself. What I found out was that God is SO much smarter than me and that he is a good God. Calling me to this experience was a demonstration of his love and intimate knowledge of who I am and what I need. Even the hard parts, the inconveniences and the uncomfortable stuff, because I need Him in those moments too. In those 10 days I was broken. All of the comforts that I normally take for granted were stripped away and all of the preparations I had made were useless.
God had a plan for me at Training Camp.
His plan was not to give me what I needed for The World Race; His plan was to take away everything that I held closer to my heart than Him.
He took away my ability to self-rely and He showed me that community can be a beautiful thing, if you let it. No one will ever require you to be kind and compassionate. No one will force you to share your toothpaste or to give up your sleeping bag for a night. No one can make you carry an extra chair or take your turn to wash the dinner dishes. But if you choose to be all in… if you choose to surrender and open your hands to those around you, community can be a beautiful thing. As it turns out, my squad is pretty rad and I was reminded of that time and time again as supplies were shared, tools were lent and needs were met as we all began navigating life as World Racers together.
While I planned to soak in as much information as humanly possible over the course of 10 days, I realized that Training Camp is about so much more than logistics and details. More than giving us a packing list and flight info, they wanted to prepare our hearts for the coming journey. We were told the hard things and the funny things. We heard advice from alumni and we were prayed over fiercely and often.
We learned how to work together and we learned how to love each other.
I walked into Training Camp on day #1 with shiny new gadgets and clean clothes and my name on anything that sharpie would stick to. I had my plans and I had my abilities. But as I sit here today scratching away at some gnarly bug bites… I realize that I left with so much more than what fit in my pack.
I left with a family.
I left with 54 new brothers and sisters who will walk through this crazy thing called the World Race with me.
I left knowing that I’m not alone.
I left knowing that God shows up in the little moments as much as the big miracles. He is in the hugs and the words of encouragement. He was around that bonfire and He was camping out under tarps in the rain with us. His love was tangible when we gathered together to pray and He isn’t done yet.
We have 11 months ahead of us and none of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. Together, as we each do our something, the world can change as the love and grace of God flow through us to the ends of the earth.
What a privilege it will be.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
