Training camp –WOW– where do I even start?
For those who aren’t aware of what World Race Training Camp is….this is where my squad and a few other squads come together in Gainesville, Georgia for 10 days to connect with each other and the Lord. Through this 10-day experience we were able to receive teaching, connect through prayer, build relationships, and ultimately step out of our comfort zones and into intimacy with the Father. We also got training on how we get to partner with God to spread His Kingdom.
Everyone goes into training camp with certain expectations, you just can’t help yourself! But as soon as you step foot into this experience, Jesus takes your expectations and completely wrecks them. In the best way!
Here are 3 stand out things for me from Training Camp:
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A LOT of rain
This isn’t just like it rained pretty hard for one day. I’m talking like the first 5 full days, the sun did not come out. Everything I brought with me was a little damp, clothes, tent, sleeping bag, everything. The rain came and wasn’t stopping. Talk about uncomfortable?
But in the midst of the sky pouring rain over us each day, man was the Lord pouring into me and the relationships I was building. Through our uncomfortable situation, God was able to step in and create a space for vulnerability, openness, and community.
2. Kingdom Come
For a majority of our time spent at Training Camp we are in sessions receiving teaching and training on what living on the mission field is. And that might sound like we got a step-by-step process of how to live in a different country, but this isn’t the case. I wasn’t called to go live in another country just to gain experience and see other parts of the world. I am called to bring the Kingdom of Heaven down to earth, and I just so happen to get to do this around the world. But living Kingdom minded isn’t just for when I leave the country. I get to choose to spread the Kingdom everyday, no matter where I am.
Matthew 28:19 says “Therefore GO, and make disciples of all nations”
For probably all of my life as a Christian, I have read this is as if it is saying you have to “GO” somewhere to make disciples. That you have to travel or go on a mission trip to do this. But now I see this instead saying “AS YOU GO, make disciples of all nations” No matter where we are, we still get to bring the Kingdom. We get to love people at work, at a coffee shop, in the grocery, or on the streets of China. AS I AM GOING, I will show the love of Jesus.
3. W-Squad Family
It is so crazy to think that only 2 weeks ago, we were a group of 30 people that didn’t really know each other. Coming from all over the country, following a call the Lord put on each of our hearts to do this wild thing called the World Race. We come from all backgrounds, have our own stories, some similarities, a lot of differences, and yet these 30 people are my family. Seeing how the Lord hand picked each one of us to follow Him on this journey is incredible. We are the body of Christ, each with our own purpose and function, but working together to make Jesus known.
The 10 days spent with these sweet people were days filled with laughter, tears, vulnerability, worship, more laughter, and love. I cannot wait to take on the next year with this family.
P.s. We might have come in last place in squad wars, but that makes us first in the Kingdom right?
I love ya W-squad fam!!
