It’s already time to ramp up for another camp. Summertime is consistently a busy season for us in the World Race/Real Life departments. We just watch the O and P Squads successfully launch in the Ukraine and Dominican Republic. Next week I will facilitate a camp which will train our biggest group to date, 157 racers, leaving in September to the Philippines and October to Guatemala.
I was asked recently what I actually do. It seems like I post a ton of pictures from places all over the world, seem busy every time I report and talk a lot about Training Camp.
Well the truth is: all of those things are true LOL. My job is the “before” and “after” with all of the college and adult participants of the Real Life and World Race trips.
“Before” consists of preparations for their time abroad. We include a Spiritual Formation series which delves into some foundations for our faith and ministry – we also talk about the past hurts and wounds they bring to the table. We build teams and talk about healthy community living (since they live together 24/7, we want them to start off knowing how to communicate when their lives are so crowded with each other that things start to feel intrusive) and finally we equip them with real skills to live and serve cross-culturally.
“After” consists of what we’re going to do with all this valuable exposure. I am preparing to launch the Apprenticeship program which will help send alumni from our trips out to walk out everything they’ve seen, heard, felt and become passionate about. Right now that looks like starting an outreach to refugees in Kenya or starting a women’s shelter for women coming out of sex trafficking or starting ministry bases in Latin America or the Middle East. If you can dream it, we can make it a reality.
Be in prayer for our staff and leadership as we embark on these next couple weeks of ministry. People are messy, but God’s grace is always perfect and at rest.
