It was March 2011. I was in China talking to one of my team mates in our bedroom. They mentioned the thought of attending training camp in July as an alumni World Racer, serving at the camp with the new World Racers who are going to be trained. My first reaction was “No thanks. I don’t want to go. But if you want to go, enjoy. Go for it!” Haha! I had no intention of serving at training camp or flying out to Tennessee. My 2nd reaction was “i am going to want a longer break than one month after returning back from my WR trip. Too soon.” And if i recall correctly, my 3rd reaction was laughing outloud at them, in mockery, like they were crazy.
That night, i woke up in the middle of the night, and couldn’t go back to sleep. Guess who woke me up?! God. I have learned on the Race that when i wake up in the middle of the night, it’s usually because i need to pray for myself or someone else. By month #9 i was becomming very familar with this procedure haha.
God & i had an argument back and forth for about an hour or so. He told me i was going to training camp and i told Him “No! I am not!” ( i can be so stubborn) And i listed all the reasons why i didn’t want to go. After that hour of tossing in my bed, arguing in my head with God, i gave up & surrendered. “Fine God, You win. I’ll go. But ONLY because YOU told me to! Oh, and God, since You want me at training camp so badly, for whatever reasons, please provide the money for me to fly there & back, since You know im broke!” Once i waved that white flag of surrender, i went right to sleep with no trouble at all. God has such a funny sense of humor sometimes, doesn’t He?
The next morning, i surprisingly woke up excited for training camp! Yes, excited! God began to show me ways that He was going to use me to humbly serve,cook/clean, encourage, bless, pray for, answer questions, share His miraculous stories of the last 11 months, counsel, & disciple others. To be a prayer warrior for those new World Racers who are launching in September & October. You usually know it’s God’s idea when you don’t want to go yet clearly hear Him say GO. I know it was His idea. I know it will be nice to have just stepped off the overseas mission field May 28th & to have those experiences fresh on my mind & heart to share with them.
He blessed me with the $580 for round trip flight tickets when i was in Malaysia! Thank You LORD! You are so faithful & good! Training camp last May 2010 was such a blessing to me & an unforgettable 10 day experience. Worship, messages, & the prayers with my new brothers & sisters from all over the world was powerful! I can’t wait to share training camp through the eyes of the new World Racers & worship/serve/pray/grow with them! Training camp was a healing process for me & God used it to break me in different ways. It was an intense, adventurous, challenging, & emotional 10 days & i want to be there to help them & support them through this journey. I know He will work in their lives also as He continues to prepare their hearts for what’s to come.
I will be in TN from July 1st-July 10th, so please keep me & the rest of the Alumni World Racers, AIM staff & new World Racers in your prayers! May God’s will be done & may He get the glory & praise! July 4th 2010 is when we all flew out from FL to our 1st country, Dominican Republic! So while i am in TN it will have been a year exactly! Hard to imagine 🙂 I trust & have faith that God will do amazing things!
Love His Servant,
Michelle Smith
