Time: 11:50 PM. Date: July 5th, 2015.
My flight to Atlanta, GA would be boarding in roughly five minutes. As I sat at the gate I began to be filled with fear. This was REALLY happening!
I was taking HUGE steps out of my comfort zone. I was about to board a plane that would take me to the opposite side of the country to spend 10 days camping in the woods with 48+ strangers. This plane was going to take me to the place where I would receive the necessary training for an eleven month mission’s trip. This was the opposite of the comfortable, safe, easy, and predictable life I was used to living.
I began to pray because my own thoughts were becoming too much to handle. I began to think back on the journey that got me to this point. I recalled how I was unsatisfied with the lack of intimacy I had with Jesus. I was reminded that my constant state of comfort kept me from experiencing the fullness of God. I was sick of living for myself and longed to bring glory to the One I was created for. In my desperate cries He called me to pick up my cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). I quickly began to remember why I was in the SEATAC airport about to take the biggest step of faith in my life to date: For His Glory.
After being reminded of these things I still had some fear but I began to feel some excitement and peace about what was awaiting me in Gainesville, Georgia!
In all honesty training camp was awesome! There were so many components that I decided to create a mathematical equation to give a quick recap:
Backpacking + Camping + Bugs + Porta Potties + Bucket Showers + Humidity + Sweat + Dance Parties + Hammocks + Bon Fires x Tears + Hope + Freedom + Community + Family + JESUS = World Race Training Camp
All of that made up my training camp experience and that fear that filled me while at SEATAC no longer resides. During camp I was reminded that there is no need to fear when we are walking alongside a sovereign God. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Up until this point I thought I lived a safe and comfortable life because it seemed like the right thing to do. I realized during training camp that I have lived that way because I was afraid; afraid of rejection, afraid of not being good enough, and afraid of letting others down. These are all lies of the enemy because through Christ I am accepted, I am strong, and it is not my job to please others but to love others. Being paralyzed by fear and doubt is no longer an option because I have found freedom through Christ!
I am ready to live as a disciple of Christ. I am ready to live in the light and not in the darkness. I am ready to live a life of love. I am ready to live a life of courage and boldness. I am ready to live a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit.
“I am no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God!”
Living this kind of life it is important to have a group of believers around you for support, prayer, and discipleship. I am happy to introduce the people I will be doing life with this next year!
Here are the 48 strangers that quickly became family:
This is Y Squad. These are the people I will be traveling to 11 different countries with. Within each country we will split off into smaller teams and work at a variety of different ministries.
This is my ministry team: JOYFUL NOISE!
Our team name fits us perfectly! The Holy Spirit has filled us all with His supernatural joy and we cannot wait to share it with those we come in contact with. Our first stop is Sombor, Serbia. We will be teaming up with a local church where we will be teaching English and meeting any other needs of the community. I am beyond blessed by this group of God loving men and women!
My, Oh, My! My heart is bursting with excitement, joy, and love. I cannot wait for this journey to continue.
All Glory to God!
Logistics and Thank Yous:
Thank you everyone who has supported me through financial gifts and prayer! I am currently 44% funded and I honestly am blown away! Thank you!
My next financial deadline is August 21st. I need $10,000 in total in order to launch in September. I am currently $2,721 shy of meeting that goal.
Prayers, financial gifts, and blog shares are all greatly appreciated.
Blessings!
