My journal from WR training camp at the end of July…forgive the lateness in posting…
Allow me to briefly set the stage of World Race training camp…White, GA, 200 people (3 squads-two leaving in September and my team of 65 leaving in October — plus leaders and staff). All gathered in hot & humid GA, soaking up the vision of the WR and doing some serious squad bonding in this sticky, humid, 300-million degree weather.
Highlights have included: eating meals reflective of different regions of the world. There are specific customs and rules we must follow like eating with our hands or all the women sitting on the floor. We are learning to lay down our expectations of what we think we deserve, like bacon, eggs & pancakes for breakfast, and humbly and gratefully accepting what we are given, like a single piece of pita bread instead. We are experiencing this both in what we eat and in the situations in which we are placed. The staff is so intentional in preparing us for what life will be like in the field-physically, mentally, and spiritually. We’ve had incredible speakers & worship-all instruments God is using to break down our walls and bring us to a healthy place where we can go forth and serve Him. 
I’ve met my team. I’ve bonded wtih my squad.
I’ve seen the vision of this ministry.
Lord, since being here,
you’ve completely changed my
perspective on life.
You’ve affirmed with such clarity that I
can rest everything I have on the fact
that you’ve called me to the World Race.
I KNOW I am in the absolute middle
of Your will.
This clarity came the night Tom Davis spoke. He is an author, speaker and president of Children’s HopeChest. He shared the story of God calling him to a Russian orphanage and how that became the catalyst to a life serving the fatherless. He shared with us his ministry and call to fight for the “least of these”. As he shared his ministry’s video, I knew I might get emotional. If you know me, you know those kinds of videos get me. The heart-wrenching stories about girls being sold into prostitution with the sad music…well I sat through the video and…nothing…not a single tear. In my head I wrestled with, Lord, what’s going on-this is so unlike me. Father, I’ve seen the passion you’ve put in me for orphans & the hurting… I believe you are calling me to go to places we just saw, and minister to girls like this. Why am I not more moved?? Then, we started to pray. That’s what I love about this organization. They pray. And they pray with POWER and AUTHORITY. Prayers that call on the name of JESUS and declare his promises and victory over the rule of the enemy. One of the leaders prayed this simple prayer: Father, allow us to respond appropriately to the injustice we’ve witnessed happening around the world. In that moment, I was overwhelmed by the realness of it all & the weight of the Holy Spirit. I was left, on my knees, overcome by uncontrollable sobs, clinging to the chair in front of me. Never in my life, have I felt so broken and in pain for the suffering and injustice inflicted on the innocent in the world. I’m talking completely broken. Tears, snot – like more snot than I know what to do with – and a pain that I couldn’t, and didn’t want to go away. I bet we prayed for an hour. In my desperation & brokenness–and for the first time ever— I surrendered my everything to God. I’m talking, went out into the woods, built and altar of wet leaves and branches, and laid down everything I felt entitled to: relationships, security, comfort, success, my expectations, plans, hopes, and fears….all of it. God, it’s yours. My life is yours. I hear you calling in the deepest parts of me. Do with me what you will. Send me where you go. I wish to speak what you speak. Love how you love. I’ll follow you whever you lead me.
Lord, my life is not my own and you have completely transformed my view of what is important. My purpose and identity is YOURS. I KNOW you have called me to the World Race. I KNOW you have filled me with your power and authority to release your kingdom. I am awakened. I can never go back.
…That was a month ago. Tune into my next blog to see what God has done in my life since then, & how He’s challenging me to put into action what I said at training camp…
