Training camp was an experience I will never forget.
Here are 8 things I learned (and relearned) at training camp:
1. God is alive… and well.
God was present and showed up in major ways at training camp. I saw so much with my two eyes that I cannot fully comprehend. Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Demons were cast out of my teammate, my squad mate received healing from her migraines years post a car accident while another felt the Holy Spirit tell him to heal someone’s knee. I have never experienced anything like it, but I will say.. God is able to do exceedingly above anything we could ever imagine.
2. Pack light…. You don’t need to look glamorous everyday. It’s about Jesus.
I had so many cute scarves, shirts, skirts and pants that I bought to training camp with me… ummmm.. yeah.. I wore the same thing for days upon days, haha. Although I will bring some cute things, I am well aware we may be in situations where we have to carry our packs for hours upon hours. Make sure what you bring to the race is super important to you… or you may hurt your back.
3. Things will happen at home that are out of your control.
The Wednesday before I left for training camp, I spent most of my evening at the hospital sitting with my church aunt who was not doing well. She passed away while I was away at training camp…. and her funeral was the day before I came home. I really wanted to be there to pay my respects and to be with my family and church community to say my final goodbyes to her. But I wasn’t… and there was nothing I could do about it. I’ll be gone for a year. Things may happen that are out of my control… things that will cut me deeply. But I’ll have to get over it. The Lord has called me to do something… and as hard as it will be.. I know I’ll have to press on.
4. It really doesn’t matter who is on my team.
I came on the race for God to use me whenever and wherever in the world He chose, and whomever He chose me to do it with. I even switched routes by request to help seal that commitment. With that being said, it really doesn’t matter who I am assigned to share the love of God with.. as long as they are in it for the right reasons. Romans 8:28 says that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (P.S. I really love my team- CRISCO)!
5. I am going to grow.. immensely.
Maybe I will grow outwardly with all of the carbs I will be given in the 11 months I will be on four different continents, but I will definitely grow spiritually and am looking forward to that. The amazing squad I am on each have talents and spiritual gifts that will come together to edify the body of Christ. I can’t wait to see how this is going to play out.
6. I have lots of work to do in the next ten weeks.
We learned how to communicate with our voices, our bodies, our pens and our lenses. I need to stay in the Word, ask the Lord what He wants me to tell each nation I go to and write a sermon on it (which may totally change when I get there and write more), read tutorials about shooting videos, update blogs, research all 11 countries my squad will be living in, memorize worship songs and children’s games, and continue to seek the Lord with anything else He wants me to do for Him. Faith without works is DEAD.
7. The Number 11 is significant in so many ways.
From starting to work at my job only 11 hours a week post world race admission to receiving an anonymous $11,000 donation on the 11th of the month, God has revealed this number 11 to me in other ways that have brought some healing to me this week. That will be explained in a future blog post (hit the subscribe button to get updated on all of my future blogs).
8. Be present.
I loved getting to know my squad mates. I am very excited to pour into each of them both as a whole and individually so we can share the love of God to all nations together. But… it is still bittersweet to think about all of the family and friends I will be leaving here. I must make the most of every situation and spend time with my loved ones. I’ll be gone for a whole year without much communication!
Thanks to all of the staff, speakers, pre and post world racers that have made this week a memorable one!
XOXO,
Belle
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P.S. I still need your help with funding for my World race. Please spread the world about my ministry or donate if you’d like to support me! Thanks so much if you already have! Please click here if you’d like to help support me financially. Every penny counts and is tax deductible!
