It has been almost a week since returning from training camp, and I survived!
Training camp was a 10 day experience in Gainesville, Georgia where my squad and I were stretched to our limits physically, mentally, and spiritually. We slept in tents, took bucket showers, ate strange foods (including bugs), attended many sessions on different topics preparing us spiritually and culturally, witnessed miraculous healings, raced against time in a 2.2 mile hiking test with our fully loaded packs, pressed into vulnerable areas in our lives, and experienced God in a way I never had before.
There is so much to unpack from that time, so I will try my best to give y’all a glimpse into what it was like to go through “missionary bootcamp”.
I don’t do well meeting new people, so I was shocked by how close my squad got in such a short amount of time. There is so much unity within this group, so on fire for the Lord. I see now these people are going to play a big role in my story over the next year as they challenge and pour into me. I’m so blessed we get to do this together!
Men and women who began as strangers became brothers and sisters… family. Here they are in all their glorious goofy splendor!
Here are some powerful truths and quirky things I learned
1. Apparently getting struck by lightning is a liability
2. God is not intimidated by our doubt
3. A century egg looks much worse than it actually tastes
4. Life with God is a journey
5. An upside down rainfly will result in death by drowning in your tent
6. Sabbath rest is so important and necessary
7. Any bit of water in your tent will make it smell like laundry left in the washer for too long
8. God is so much bigger than our understanding
9. Georgian red clay makes for a good self tanner
10. Growth comes in the uncomfortable
11. Instant Coffee and pineapple water flavoring is pretty good
12. What you give up will be gained a million times over
13. A bucket shower is quite the experience
14. The Bible is the plumb line for life
15. Major respect to the men who clean the porta-potties
16. Don’t be left with a “What If?”
17. Zip up your tent all the way otherwise spiders will become your new roommates
18. Carry a “Yes” in your spirit
19. Every time a hydro flask falls, a World Racer is born
20. Miraculous healings do happen!
21. A daddy long leg in your tent isn’t a level 10 emergency (Apparently…)
22. “Missions exist because worship doesn’t” – John Piper
23. My team might become the next Pentatonix
24. God will randomly tell you to do things even if it doesn’t make sense
25. I lost count of how many Cliff Bars I ate…
26. You meet God in the boring mundane
27. Bring a sewing kit just incase someone decides to rip their pants into shorts in Africa
28. Promoting religion is conversion, promoting Jesus is transformation
29. Sweat and Oil = Hair Gel
30. Honor is not something you have, it’s something you give
31. Hang drying clothes isn’t easy when everything is wet
32. Acceptance isn’t the same as agreement
33. Choreographing a dance for 40 people in a day is the most frustrating experience ever
34. Feedback is holding up a mirror and calling people higher
35. Even if you don’t like burgers, you crave them after eating strange foods for a week
36. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability
37. Hydrate don’t Diedrate
38. God will offend your mind to reveal what is in your heart
39. Having pizza delivered to your tent isn’t an honorable decision
40. The Holy Spirit comes to convict, not condemn
41. Sticking your head into a bowl of flour is the new cinnamon challenge
42. God is not a feeling
43. Crickets taste like sunflower seeds
44. The Father is seeking you, not what you can give Him
45. To come to salvation costs nothing, but to walk in the kingdom will cost everything
Day one I was faced with two questions I didn’t confidently have answers for; “Why am I going on The World Race?” and “When the journey gets hard (which it will) and I want to quit, what is my reason to stay?”
For the the first question some things came to mind; To love people the way Jesus did, to walk in obedience to what the Father has called us to. ie. Matt. 28:19-20, to step into discomfort in order to see growth in my life and His kingdom…
What is my reason to not give up?
Because it is worth it, and more importantly He is worth it! I’ve come to the realization that it is not about us, but ultimately for His glory. Not coming with a commitment, but with complete surrender.
I realized what I am gaining from this journey has lifelong implications. I’ve learned it’s not a Training Camp thing or even a World Race thing, it’s a Life thing. Thank you to my supporters investing into my future financially or in any other way they can. This year is going to be awesome and I‘m so excited to share the journey with y’all!
