Training camp was a once in a lifetime experience! It was challenging in faith, deep in Scriptural truth, fulfilling in community, freeing in worship, extensive in the quantity of information, rich in the quality of information, and so, so much more! It’s actually quite difficult to put my experiences into words at this point. How can you describe a powerful, ten day experience in a few short paragraphs? I’m really not sure. But I’m going to try. So here goes…
Challenging in faith. As I sat in a room of about 50 other racers in an information session about the 10/40 window, I was doubting whether I was on the correct route. I felt as though I was made for mission work in this part of the world. The passion I felt for this was enough to cause me to question my decision.
It didn’t take very long for God to send some assurance my way. He reminded me of what He did to get me to this information session. And how He provided in the fundraising process. It was as if He was using this situation to test my faith by asking, “Will you trust me with where I have you right now?” Dang it, God! You always know how to ask the hard questions! But of course I can trust you, you’ve never failed me yet.
Now I feel even more assured that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I love the beauty of God and the truth of His Word as they meet us right where we are! He says we’re enough because of what Christ did. I love every member of my squad and hearing about how God has met every one of them right where they were. I praise God because He didn’t leave us there but brought us all together as He commissioned us to spread His love. How crazy is that? Mission has brought 24 random people from different walks of life, upbringings, cultures, and backgrounds together to travel the world with a message of hope! Amazing! And I firmly believe I’m on this squad for a reason and wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Deep in Scriptural truth. I could easily go on forever in this section so I’ll keep it short. I believe it’s so important to rightly divide the Word of Truth. The Scripture serves so many purposes in a believer’s life (a guide, a defense, sustenance, etc) and should be seen as the living, breathing Word of God. And it was encouraging to listen to the sessions as the Word was taught with passion, insight, and conviction. And you can rest assured that I will be posting more than one blog on the teachings at camp!
Fulfilling in community. I didn’t think I could get this close to so many people in just 10 days! I love my squad and my team so much! It was hard to leave my new family at the end of camp. But I’m excited and expectant for what God has in store as we prepare to travel, live life, laugh, cry, love, and spread the love of Christ together! And stay tuned for a blog introducing them as well.
Freeing in worship. As nearly 100 racers packed into a small room on the first day of training camp, emotions were high and the new situation was weighing on us. And then we began to worship together through singing. One of the first songs we sang was “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel Music. And it was the exact song I needed to sing first because I have a tendency to care too much about what people are thinking about me. I felt so free to worship my God without the weight of others’ opinions on me!
Extensive in the quantity of information. Some days felt like I was trying to drink from a fire hydrant. I was furiously taking notes because I knew I would only retain a small portion of what I heard. And the hardest part was that I wanted to hear all of it and more. But instead I just spilled a bunch of ink on many pages and have been trying to slowly sift through it all.
Rich in the quality of information. At the same time that the sessions provided a large quantity of information, they also were quite in deep in quality. I came away from some sessions ready to take a “mental nap” only to eat lunch and head to another session. But looking back, it was so worth it to receive the training that I did. Some of the sessions even reignited a flame I had almost forgotten about (stay tuned for that blog as well).
Overall, training camp was an amazing experience that left me feeling excited, nervous, expectant, joyful, and loved at the same time. But most importantly, I feel closer to my Savior and ready to see where our relationship will be as we embark on this 11 month journey together!
