I cannot believe that training camp and come and past already. God opened up my heart to whole new meaning of love and acceptance.
On the first day of training camp I was informed that I needed a epiPen to stay at TC. Well I quickly realized that I did not have the money for it. I panicked because I didn’t want to go to my squad for help because I just had asked them for help in something else. But my squad mentor Teresa suggested that I take this need to my whole squad. I was scared and reluctantly agreed with her and decided that I would trust God. Teresa and I went to talk with them and what happened next blew my mind and helped me redefine me definition of what community means.
Teresa started presenting the need to the squad and within 40 seconds I was able to raise $364 for the epiPen. She wasn’t even finished speaking and the need was met. I could not believe at first how God could just move so many peoples heart on this, but I was grateful. I walked into that first worship season with tears in my eyes because of the love that I felt from my squad.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this was you will fulfill the law of Christ.
For the first time in my walk with the Lord I felt loved and completely accepted but those around me. It’s amazing how God can take a group as large as ours (S squad) and unite them. I’m still processing everything that God did in our hearts over the ten days we were together. But I will say that I feel so incredibly blessed to be apart of this squad. We not only got to know each other, but we also loved each other with a naturel God given love.
We had a fitness hike that we were required to do 2.2 miles in 38mins. Needless to say we all finished together.. There was something that stood out to me above all else. One of our squad mates was having a really hard time during the hike and as she was about to finish (she was totally exhausted) some of her squad mates ran to help her cross the finish line. It was a group of 8-10 people that were either cheering her on or literally holding her arms and bearing some of her exhaustion for her. It was surreal to see such a thing. We stuck together till the end. It showed me what true community looks like.
We lived in a tent city together and often would stay up late talking with one another. I just feel so loved by them. I cannot wait to do life with these great men/women of God. I know that God has so much in store for all of us over the next year. I also know that God is forming deep relationships that will last long after the race is over. This blog is just 1 of 3 blogs that I’m going to write about training camp.
God loves us all so very much. And it was extremely evident as I looked around at the diversity of my squad. God truly is the perfect match maker.
I was sad to leave them, but then I remembered that its just the beginning of our time with one another.
Let us always walk in the light of Christ, and always remember that Christ wants us to be unified through love peace. I cannot wait to see everyone again here in a few months at launch.
Love, Joseph
