Community, sure I have experienced it before~some good experiences and some not so good experiences….
There has been seasons of my life where a sense of community was non existent and I did many things in life “alone”
My thoughts, views and opinions of community thus far in my life definitely are varied!
This world race journey and training camp have changed how I view community because I have been stretched, grown, snd shown what true community looks like!
Before training camp was even an official date on all of our world race calenders- My squad (all of us that are going on August 2018 route 2 )began communicating on a facebook messenger group and getting to know one another and talking about all things world race! We would share things that were going on in our lives and lift each other up in prayer and encourage one another on this journey we all have been called on! We even created a group just for the girls on our squad to talk about girl stuff that the guys may not want to be involved in ha ha.
During this time some of us also connected and communicated one on one and many of us became close before meeting face to face!
For me, I know this made training camp a bit easier initially because I had already been talking to these people for a few months! I was very excited to meet everyone on the first day!
However, I was still a bit worried about what everyone would think of me. Thoughts of “will they like me?” “What if I don’t fit in?” rolled in and out of my head like clouds on a day where the weather is moody….
Those thoughts didn’t last long though because these people that God so intricately placed together on this squad were all about doing all the things in love! From day 1, and putting up our tents- when one person was done setting their tent up- they would go and see who needed help- there was not any one person left behind, If someone in our J squad family needed something, from laundry soap to a headlamp-someone always would have it and share it or give it away without any hesitation. If one of seemed to be tired, weary, sad, having a tough time, (wether it be physically with our gear/packs or spiritually or emotionally)one of us would always be there to lend a hand, help carry, comfort, hug, speak life, love on and pray with and for that person. Us ladies also had fun serving each other by lending/sharing clothes, braiding hair and giving back massages.
I experienced TRUE community firsthand at training camp! On the day of our fitness hike- I fought, struggled, almost gave up- but one of my squad leader Leann, and my squad mentor Grace were with me every step of the way encouraging me and they didn’t let me give up-even when I battled with myself and had to slow down at times. After my fitness hike- I made it thru praise God! I was very tired, as were most of us but my sister in christ Abby offered to carry my big pack back to our campsite for me! & she had a broken wrist during training camp! Bless her heart for wanting to help me! I have to admit that its not easy for me to ask for or accept help but God grew and stretched me in this area! On our Womens day field scenario, where we had to do multiple things collectively as a team including thousands of burpees, pushups, sit ups etc. Towards the end I was beginning to feel like I had over exerted my body. Well my sister in christ Kasey told me that she could carry my pack for me back to our campsite- as much as I wanted to finish it out on my own, I knew God was teaching me in that moment to accept help when I need it. I am so thankful for those moments that I struggled because it allowed for me to accept help from others that could help me!
& My beautiful and fierce sister in christ Alexa, was such a selfless and loving servant to all during training camp and gave us ladies beautiful braids in our hair whenever we wanted!
EACH and EVERY one of the members of my squad showed love, served selflessly and were Jesus to one another!
Training Camp was the sweet and powerful experience that it was because of the amazing people that were once just faces on a screen, but now are family. I would do anything for any one of these people and I am sure they would do the same!
Thank you J squad, For showing me true community by your selflesness, love, encouragement, help, grace, trust and just overall awesomeness!
We truly are the #JESUSSQUAD
You are so genuine and so kind! We wouldn’t be J Squad without you. Training Camp would not have been the same without you. The World Race wouldn’t be the same without you!! I am so happy to have met you and you have made such an incredible impact on me already. I love you!!
Cimone! I loved reading this because it brought me so much JOY and warmed my heart. It makes so blessed to call you a part of my squad and knowing I get to call you my sister in christ. Love you and your loyalty to him.
Sweet Cimone! you are so incredibly brave and strong, and I am humbled to call you friend/sister!! Much love.
Jordan! You have such a pure and loving heart, always reflecting the father in your actions and words! Thank you for truly loving me and being intentional in all you say and do! I am so thankful that we are on this journey together! I love you too!!!
Julia! You are such a bright, loving, and strong fierce spirit! Thank you for saying it like it is, and showing the love and truth of the father with how you live your life! I am blessed to know you and do this world race journey with you! love you!
Alexa! Thank you for helping me to have that bravery and strength-I couldn’t have done it alone and you played a big part in supporting, encouraging and comforting/praying with and for me at TC! Love you!!!