It is now day five post-World Race training camp and it has truly taken this long to debrief and soak in what I experienced in that 7 day training. In the bible, the number 7 often symbolizes completion and after training, I felt completely wrecked (in the most beautiful way).
Camp was… well, it was a lot of things:
It was hard, it was joyful, it was cold, it was sweet, it was edifying, it was life-changing, it was competitive, it was testing, it was freeing, it was supernatural, it was tiring, it was refreshing, it was faithful, it was good, it was overwhelming, it was productive, it was restful, it was cultural, it was informing, it was bonding, it was demanding, it was spider-filled, and it was Spirit-filled.
We lived in tents and became one with the daddy long-legs. The week consisted of seemingly simple, yet frustrating team building activities in which the power of a hulla-hoop proved to be stronger than we could have ever imagined. Everyday we were met with various cultural foods from Africa to Asia to Latin America and India- each meal more intriguing than the last. We hiked a very challenging mountain called Yonah where we experienced bonding through suffering (it was great!). We experienced signs and wonders from the Lord, stepping into the reality of an Acts 2 church. It was a place where strangers became a family and the Holy Spirit stole the show.
Camp was all it needed to be and more. Physically and mentally challenging, spiritually life changing. I have never been more wholly convinced of the power of Jesus Christ and expectant to see him MOVE MOUNTAINS not just in this next year, but for the rest of my days.
There were a thousand different moments that moved me this week, some were in the faithful teachings of leaders whose lives are marked by obedience and surrender to the gospel- and I got to soak it all up for me AND FOR YOU! Here are some of the most convicting one-line punches the Lord so kindly threw in my face this week:
- Are you willing for your dreams to be crushed for God’s glory?
- Take the position of a servant and don’t be offended when you are treated like one.
- We are the salt of the Earth. Jesus is living water. If we are who He says we are, we will automatically crave Him.
- The gospel is not Jesus + my preferences.
- His mercies are new every morning… are yours?
I wish I could sit every single human down and tell them my heart after this week, but I hope this blog pushes you to examine the ways the Lord is wanting you to lean further into him. My hope is that this intimacy and fullness that I have post-training does not stay in the mountains of Georgia, but that we step into a deep and powerful existence through Christ in our everyday lives. I am praying for bold faiths of everyone who reads this- may your faith in the literal GOD OF CREATION supersede any fear of man that holds you back.
My life is changed after this week, and it was only training…
Amanda! I love this! You have summed up training camp so beautifully! When you say, “I have never been more wholly convinced of the power of Jesus Christ and expectant to see Him MOVE MOUNTAINS”…..I know that He will not disappoint you! He is a MOUNTAIN MOVING GOD! I feel so blessed to go on this amazing journey with you! Love you!