I want to start by thanking everyone who donated once again for allowing me the opportunity to partake in this awesome mission the Lord has called me to. I just got back from training camp overflowing with joy and anticipation! I would not have been able to go if it were not for your generosity, so thank you so much. A personalized thank you card is headed your way.
I can joyfully say that myself and 48 other squad mates from all over the country have survived World Race training camp! For the past 11 days we all lived at one training site to prepare our hearts, minds and bodies to launch to India in August. Together we sat through training sessions, did team-building activities, ate community meals, endured sleeping scenarios, took bucket showers, used portapotties, sang worship songs, danced in dance battles, cried in small groups, built intimacy with one another and the Lord.
I love all 49 members of my squad. Two weeks ago I didn’t know any of them, but now they are all family. It’s crazy how bonding knowing Jesus is. I met people from Kentucky, Costa Rica, Alabama, Washington and more all with a heart after knowing Jesus and making Jesus known.
We travel as a squad of 49 but do ministry in teams of six or seven. After the first week of training, the leadership divided us up into our teams. They explained to us that their goal was to create teams that best resemble a mini body of a Christ. I would like to introduce each member of my team and explain some of their gifts.
From left to right:
Emmy is from Georgia. She is the one that picked me up from the airport and let me stay with her for the night before training camp. She sent me a verse the day of my flight and is an incredible friend. She exemplfies Christ’s compassion and care for the community. She listens extremely well and makes everyone feel important and heard. She also loves the Scriptures and seeks to love like Christ does everyday. She loves people and wants to create safe and warm friendships. She has such a sweet and innocent joy about her that is contagious! I am so thankful for her!
Luke is from Mississippi. Luke has an amazing gift of making anyone around him feel accepted for who they are. When you are around him you instantly feel comfortable to be yourself. He is the definition of a great friend. He is the person that brings out the best side of who you are. He strives to speak wisdom into who you are in Christ which has been a true gift to me. Along with that he knows the Bible well and has a huge desire for depth in his relationship with God. When he speaks, it is rich in biblical wisdom! He brings joy, fun and laughter to any group and I am so thankful for what I have learned from him already!
Katie is a hoot. She is from Florida. She has such incredible energy and spunk. You cannot be around her and not find a reason to laugh. She values relationships and making light of all situations. Her energy brings an amazing side of the Lord’s joy and exhortation to the group. She possesses a lot of knowledge in how to relate to children through her gift of teaching and brightens any room she is in. I can’t wait to joyfully serve the Lord with her!
Carmen is our team leader! She is from Kentucky and has beautiful coffee colored skin (lol it’s true right?). She is quick to listen and slow to speak, but when she does, people listen. She is full of wisdom and knowledge. If you watch her you can see the wheels turning in her eyes and mind. She is constantly pursuing the Lord in every moment. Her still and reverent spirit is one that is easy to follow. She leads us well by first seeking the Lord. Aside from wisdom and knowledge she is also incredibly intuitive and loving. She definitely has the gift of discernment, compassion and wisdom and I am so excited to learn more from her!
Kyle is from Alabama. He loves peach cobbler and can probably sing any Disney song you bring up all the way through. He is going to medical school after the race and has a huge heart for medical missions. His mind is one of his greatest gifts. He longs for depth in his walk with God and is such an amazing friend to all! His mind is analytical but he has love and protection in his eyes. He cares for people SO MUCH, you see so much Jesus in the way that he serves others. He walks with humility and reverence for God that is really inspiring! I cannot wait to sing Disney songs along side him!
Bekah is legitimately a Disney princess. She is from Washington, loves flowers, animals and people. She has a pet hedgehog! If you listen to her talk and look in her eyes you can see that she is the epitome of sunshine. Her eyes radiate joyful love. It’s nothing like I have ever seen before. She has a gift of joy that can only come directly from the Father himself. I swear she just stepped out of a story book. Anyone that is around her feels seen, known, loved and cherished. She is truly a treasure and a gift to this world. Not only that but she makes me laugh so hard! I am so excited to do life with her in India!
Our team name is Team Overflow. We want our ministry to be an overflow of Christ’s love. We overflow because of what he has poured over us. We are just the cup. I am so thankful for these six people and our whole squad. I wish I had the room to blog about all 49 of them! We are so excited to go serve! We launch in August!
I will be posting another blog soon speaking to what God did in my heart during training camp, also stay tuned for a training camp highlight video!
Our God is a good good Father!
