I must admit that I was not looking forward to training camp. There were many reasons for being apprehensive most of which were just my stupid insecurities. Meeting 60+ people for the first time, who had previously been identified by a 3×3 Facebook profile picture, is quite terrifying!
My crazy mind makes up all sorts of stuff …
Who are these people? They don’t look “normal” …
Why am I the only one with a bald spot?
Do they like me?
Am, I good enough?
Dang it! I should have gone on a diet and shaved off this creeper mustache!
After our team's informal introductions and setting up camp, we head up to the pavilion which is our meeting space for the week. Oh Great! We were in Georgia for a week in late October on the the top of hill and we have NO WALLS! Are you kidding me? There are about 200 staff members standing around on the outside of the pavilion and they won't stop smiling. After being stuck in traffic for nearly 2 hours, I'm in no mood to smile.
Lord, why am I here?
When do we eat?
Hopefully, we aren't going to have to build some walls.
Where is the Diet Coke?
As the week progressed, little by little, I realized that this is exactly what I needed! I had to get myself out the way in order to prepare for the task that Jesus has planned for me. I asked God, “What is my role here?” As plain a day I heard him say, “Serve others.” And there in that moment, I made a decision to put my entire squad ahead of myself. In every situation, I intentionally put others needs ahead of my own. It allowed me to love them without any expectations of what they could do for me! AMAZING!!!
Those constant smiles from the World Race staff went from being an annoyance to contagious. I realized that those beautiful smiles were a result of the joyful anticipation of what God was about to do! Let me just say, he did not disappoint! He showed up in a mighty way. I'm so thankful for each one the staff members! You are truly living out what God has called you to do. I cannot wait to serve along side you now and in the future!
God revealed so much me over the course of the week it would take a year’s worth of blogs to tell you about it. I learned so much about myself and what it means to be in community with my new brothers and sisters. I miss it already!
One thing can I honestly say is that my life is radically different today. It is less about the training camp experience and more about finally breaking through the chains of my past and resting in the arms of my “dad.” (more on that later.)
Turns out the only thing that Training Camp blows is my mind!
It's a tent life
"Fish Head Soup" Beleive it or not, I had two helpings
Stacy and Vanessa – Our Squad leaders
Worship – World Race Style
Squad Wars "All we do is WIN"
