Here’s what you guys have all been waiting for… finally a blog post from Lis! To be transparent, I’ve been struggling with time and words to describe all that is happening in my heart and my life leading up to launch. But I want all of my supporters, friends, and family to be involved in this journey that started as soon as I got accepted into the World Race gap year program in January. So I’ll start with training camp:
A few weeks ago i got back from an incredible 10 days of self, spiritual, and communal growth. I was pushed to get out of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I don’t think that I, or any of the 300 world racers that showed up that first day, could have been prepared for what the Lord had in store for us. First of all, they do not call it training camp without reason. It wasn’t like any camps I have experienced because it wasn’t solely focused on having fun or making friendships. Adventure in Missions made sure that we would get a glimpse into life on the field and be as prepared as possible for whatever milestones we might need to climb over. This meant portapotties, cold bucket showers, hiking 2.3 miles in under 38 minutes with our 30-40 lb packs on, and worst case scenario simulations like getting our bags stolen and having to spend the night in an airport. We also had two or three lessons each day filled with advice for on the field, and topics like prayer, hearing and actively listening to the Holy Spirit, and who we are as a team of disciples.
What did God speak to me through all this?
He showed me that it is okay to fail, to be vulnerable, and to have absolutely no idea what you are doing. Because in these moments of weakness is when He works in our hearts and through us the most if we allow him. Something that I found myself saying often and will probably continue to say while on the race is, “embrace it.” Embrace the moments of uncertainty. Embrace not looking in a mirror for days. Embrace opening up to your team about something heavy on your heart instead of hiding it away. To be fully know, is to be fully loved. People only hide when they are shameful, and there is no shame in needing the grace of God. He actually designed us to need him and intentionally guides us into failure so that He could show us how incredibly good and merciful He is no matter how many times we fall flat on our face.
“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24
This really stuck out to me because something i have struggled with for years is fear of people seeing how imperfect i am and learning all the mistakes i’ve made in the past. I know it sounds silly because nobody’s perfect, but we live in a world obsessed with the false image of it. I have a tendency to see things that i admire in others and becoming dissatisfied in myself and my lack of those qualities. While at camp the Lord revealed to me that He doesn’t want to change me because He made me exactly the way i am, but he does want to change the way i view myself. What you believe about yourself will affect the way you walk through life and are even able to minister to others. He also showed me this through some really close connections i was able to make within my squad of 42 people that I will be traveling to each country with that showed me love and acceptance even after being open and vulnerable with them. I am so grateful to have met such loving and selfless people seeking Christ wholeheartedly and i cannot wait to see what He has in store for each and every one of us.
Please keep praying for our hearts as we prepare to launch on September 8th, and for the people that we will get to encounter and pour into. I want to express how thankful i am to all my supporters for taking this huge step of faith with me. Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on what the Lord is doing while I am on the field. 🙂
