Remember how two weeks ago I was sitting in my cousins blue bedroom the night before Training Camp and me and God were squealing about the excitement of meeting my squad for the first time?
Well now I am back in Oregon, sitting in my own blue bedroom and squealing with God about all that just took place at Training Camp. We’re having another moment.
Friends, soooo much took place at Training Camp- breakthroughs, moments of surrender, prayers of thanksgiving, moments of true joy, prayers of confusion, spiritual and emotional challenges, and the undeniable work of the Holy Spirit.
But before I get to that…
I have to tell you about my new family.
Meet D SQUAD.
These people, in just a short amount of time, have become my brothers and sisters.
I have prayed through the night with them, I have reasoned and discussed theology with them, I have slept shoulder to shoulder with them on the cold hard ground! We danced together, we cried together, we worked out together, we shared our deepest fears and scars, we worshipped our Creator together in utter abandonment, and day by day, we became a family.
I saw Acts 2:46-47 lived out right before my eyes! “With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house,sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
I am currently sitting on my bed with the Lord reminiscing at some of the things He did in this group in the last ten days:
- God brought 7 women together into a 2 person tent to be there in the exact moment that my friend Blaire got the news that a family member had passed away.
- He used the prayer of the entire squad to help spiritual warfare be cast away from certain members.
- He put the perfect women at my table to speak life and encouragement into me in my weak moment of feeling unworthy and full of shame.
- He put small groups together so perfectly that allowed a safe space to be created for each person to open up and truly be seen and loved.
- The Lord moved in the hearts of these 35 believers to share their struggles and victories over a campfire.
- Oh… and some epic dance battles took place.
Our group is full of people of all shapes and sizes, ages and genders, races and backgrounds… I see the gift and talent that each person brings and how it builds up the body of Christ. But most importantly, I see the church in this squad.
- We have people that excel in encouragement and speaking life into people.
- The squad is full of humble leaders that lead us in a way where they are bringing us more toward Jesus.
- I saw the most tender hearts come together in compassions and kindness.
- We have creative talents, intellectual talents, organizational talents, and relational talents that all spur each other on.
- My squadmates have wisdom, humility, hope, joy, compassion, kindness, self-control, spirit, drive, obedience, and so many things that I need to be rubbed off on me!
This week I sat with my sisters as they heard my deepest hurt and reminded me of the never ending, overflowing love of our God. This week I also laughed so hard with my team that tears came flowing out and I couldn’t breath for a good minute.
- I had a dance off with one of the coolest girls I know.
- I heard the story of one of the strongest women I have ever met.
- I celebrated in the anniversary of one of my squadmates victories.
- I was comforted one of the sweetest women on the squad.
- I studied the Bible with some of the most God-fearing men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
- I was seriously challenged by a man after God’s own heart.
- I was convicted by a women whose soul desire is to see us love each other.
- I was encouraged by someone I can only describe as a Proverbs 31 woman.
- And I was hugged, boy was I hugged (whether I liked it or not) but 35 devoted, selfless, humble, compassionate, God-fearing, radical believers in Christ.
The night before Training Camp the Lord said to me, “Tomorrow you are going to meet your future best friends.” I have never been more sure of that. These are my fellow World Racers, missionaries, adventure buddies, partners in crime, prayer warriors, and brothers and sister in Christ.
So without further ado, I would like to introduce to you my World Race Squad…
