One month.
Training camp is in One. Month. (Technically less than a month now – I didn’t get this posted yesterday! :)) And that means launch is shortly after. I don’t have an official launch date yet, but July 1st is 74 days away. Just yesterday it was over 200 days away! Crazy.
This is all getting really really real.
In 29 days I will be in Georgia hanging out with my squates (short for squadmates) training for the World Race. Though I’ve read countless blogs about training camp I’m still not sure what to expect.
I know there are squad wars though what that entails I have no idea. Eating weird food. Finding out who our teams are – how this is decided I have no clue. Something about them possibly randomly taking our belongings, forcing us to rely on and share with our teammates. It’s that whole living in community thing that the World Race so loves. And running? Through the woods? I’m not really sure. I do know that training camp is a week of preparing us for life on the World Race…whatever that means! I will get back with you on what that actually looks like after May 24th!
With training camp rapidly approaching and launch shortly after, the number one question I’ve been asked as of lately is, “How are you feeling about all of this? Are you ready?”
Let me tell you, I’m basically one giant bag of mixed emotion right now.
I cannot fully express how incredibly excited I am about about this wild World Race journey and all that it entails and how much joy it brings me when I think about it! And I am so looking forward to finally meeting my squates! You have no idea how excited I am to meet them!
But imagine with me, you are leaving the country for 11 months. Leaving the comforts of home. Countless people who are so precious to you. Hot showers every day. Air conditioning. The assumption that there will be toilet paper in every bathroom you use. The however many pillows you use every night and trading it for one that rolls up (though it is quite comfy — already tried it out!). Carrying your home on your back. Going to not just one, but 11 foreign countries with really no set agenda, not knowing what ministry will look like for you each month or where at in each country you will be in. Or even what country you will be in for that matter — routes have changed and could change again at any point.
And…
Welcome to the World Race, friends! I’m guessing whatever emotions or thoughts you have right now, I’m probably having too. 🙂
As far as the “am I ready” part of the question…
I don’t know if it’s possible to be ready for something like the World Race. Seriously!
Sure you can buy all the gear and everything on the packing list, (which I still need to do). You can get your passport (already had!) and a bunch of shots and malaria pills and be ready to go. But to say I am completely ready for this trip would be a big fat lie. Though I am certain that this is the calling God has placed on my life, it doesn’t mean it’s not scary. Nerve racking. Insane. Unbelievable– like, I’m really doing this!?! What!? And then of course the “What if I don’t know what to do or say, or don’t handle a situation properly?”, “Are you sure I’m the right person for this, God?”, or “What in the world do I have to offer my squates, team members, and the ministries we will be working with?” kind of doubts and fears that constantly try to creep their way into my heart.
Ultimately I think it comes down to choosing to let those doubts and fears control your life, or choosing to trust Jesus with your whole heart and take the plunge despite your weaknesses/doubts/fears. Choosing to say yes to Jesus, ready or not. Because I’ll be honest, if I waited until I was completely ready to go on the World Race, more than just my bags being packed and passport in hand, I’d probably never go.
I once read this quote, I don’t even know who said it or where I read it, but it has really stuck with me, “Fear only has the power we give it.” So I am making a choice. I am choosing to let that fear have no power in my life and instead choosing and clinging to Jesus. The Bible is full of people who felt the exact same way…unworthy, not good enough, unqualified, weak…. but they all have one thing in common. They followed Jesus anyway. It blows my mind the way God uses the people who are willing and brave enough to say yes to Him, despite all the reasons they could come up with not to. Trust me, I have a whole long list of reasons why I could say no to the Race!
A verse that has been super encouraging to me though is in 2 Corinthians, verse 9, Jesus says “For My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.” (Amplified Version)
There is story after story in the Bible and in my own life that prove these words to be true. He has given me absolutely no reason to believe the same won’t happen through this World Race experience. Even when it’s scary, nerve-racking, uncomfortable, absolutely insane, full of unknowns, I will keep saying YES. Despite my weaknesses, fears, and doubts, I will follow Him anyway. May He use my weaknesses for His glory!
Friends, I am over the top, through the roof, thrilled, humbled, and honored to be a part of the World Race. I can’t even begin to explain to you my excitement about this. It just feels so right.
So am I ready!? No definitely not, but YES absolutely! (If that makes any sense at all!?)
**A huge thank you to everyone for your endless love, support, and prayers. It truly means more to me than you will ever know.**
