While driving on a curvy road through the Tennessee foothills my stomach began to get butterflies. Each mile was drawing me closer to the entrance of my new life for the next year. I recognized that this entrance marked a radical shift in my way of life. We pulled in and my mind began to spin…You know, it’s not easy to leave everything you know behind. Everyone you love, every comfort you enjoy and every memory that will be missed. But something inside of me began to change as I crossed over a river on the way in. As I pulled through the drive people were greeting us with smiles on their faces, but their gaze was different than what I am used to, it was like they knew something that I didn’t…
I parked and put on my forty-five pound backpack with my entire life in it. I began the journey to an open field that would be my home for the next nine days. As I approached I began to see others just like me, having no clue what was going on. Before I knew it my tent was set up and I was in conversation with others about the surreal feeling pumping through our veins. The worries began to subside as I realized that I was not alone.
The first night I had a conversation with a woman who had just returned from her journey, she was one of the ones who I saw earlier that “knew something I didn’t”. We bagan to talk and she began to open my mind to embracing this journey. What I didn’t know, that she already knew, was what was about to happen to me. No, I don’t mean that I was about to get hazed or initiated into some strange cult. I am speaking about what was about to happen to me internally.
I knew that my little spiritual church world was about to be shattered. I knew that God was about to come into the scene in a way that I never imagined. As I slept under the stars in my hammock the next night It was like God Himself was telling me, I have you in my hand Kyle. It felt peace like I have never had before.
The rest of the time was focused awakening our souls to God and growing in community. Not to give away too many details to future racers, but I will just tell you that God changed me during that week.
Now I understand a little part of why these others look at you in a manner in which “they know something that you don’t”.
When someone’s life is changed it is easy to notice something different about them. I was surrounded by alumni and staff of the world race, and It was very easy to see something different about each of them. They want to empower you. They don’t want to horde their experiences over you. They want you experience the ways of God.
This was new to me, and it rocked my world. I felt the freedom to pursue Jesus. I experienced the light of community that pushed me closer to Christ. I began the process of erasing my religion and filling the cracks with God Almighty.
I know what you are asking, “is this just a training camp”? The answer is no. It is a time of empowerment and preparation for bringing the Kingdom of God down to earth.
I sit here over a week later, and am still in awe of the taste that God gave to me of Himself. And the great part is the trip hasn’t yet started… I am ready to learn much, unlearn more and be a microscopic part of God’s incredible story.
-KYLE
