Well, this suddenly got a lot more real.
This past week the World Race went from an experience that I
could read about on a website and dream about through pictures to something
much more tangible and within reach after attending training camp in
Copperhill, TN. The first half of
training camp was devoted to facing the things that have been holding us back
from fully embracing this trip, things such as past wounds or relationships,
doubt, insecurities, and other lies we may be facing. Personally, I have
constantly been faced with feeling unworthy and not ready for a trip like this.
I have been embracing the adventure aspect, but am I ready to live a life of
abandonment that is going to be demanded of me? This question kept nagging at
me, and through the course of the week I was able to address these doubts head
on and gain renewed confidence in my calling. Do I have all the answers? No.
Will I ever have all the answers? No. But does
that even matter when I know God’s got my back through it all? No! This
is a reality that was refreshing to embrace.
The second half of training camp was devoted to the
formation of our teams. Our squad was randomly assigned groups for various team
building activities. Following these activities and one on one interviews with
the staff memebers, our squad of 57 was broken down into 9 permanent teams of
6-7 people that we will be spending all of our time with for the coming months.
Each team has a team leader and consists
of 2-3 guys and 4-5 girls. Everyone was excited to finally find out their
teams, and I could also sense quite a bit of anxiety as well. However, everyone
seemed pleasantly surprised with how well the teams turned out!
Somehow I was chosen to be a team leader. I say “somehow”
because this was not my intention coming in to training camp. I have done a bit
of both following and leading in my time, but prior to training camp I felt
like I would be better off in a follower’s role this time around. However,
during the first day of training camp, I felt God telling me to “step up and
take leadership.” This wasn’t just a quiet suggestion for me to take lightly,
but rather I knew immediately that this was going to be a season of leadership
for me. Even before the squad leaders asked me to take the position, I knew
that this was what God had been preparing me for. I didn’t have to go out of my
way to be seen as a leader by my squad leaders; this was something God had
planned for me regardless of what actions I took on my own. I’m not gonna lie, it is a bit overwhelming
to think about leading a team into the big unknown that is this trip, but at
the same time I am overcome with excitement and humbled that God has chosen me
for this role! On that note, let me introduce my team:
Fireproof!
