It took a full two weeks, but here I am, finally sitting down and writing the first official blog post of my world race gap year. As I type these words, I am overwhelmed with emotion and awe at all that has happened in such a short amount of time. I have dreamed of being here, on this campus, and preparing to head out into the world with my squad for over a year and the fact that I am actually in the midst of training camp is truly surreal. Trying to sum up the experiences and incredible encounters with God throughout the past few weeks within one post is impossible, so bare with me as I figure out how best to communicate everything!
THE PEOPLE
Arriving at the smelly hotel in Atlanta, I would have never guessed that the semi-familiar faces I saw would so quickly become some of the most influential people in my life. It’s crazy how a longterm relational mindset can shift the speed and level at which a group bonds. I feel as though I’ve already lived a lifetime with these people. We’ve braved the bucket showers, danced in the rain, encountered the Spirit, learned to hand wash clothes, made some bomb music videos, fought the growing mold in our tents, created hilarious inside jokes, eaten some crazy foods, deepened our understanding of the loving Father we get to serve, and have been blessed to share countless other moments with one another. Every day, we get to learn more about each other and our individual stories while also maturing as a community of believers. The only phrase I can describe a time such as this with is ‘undeniably beautiful’. Coming into training, I was excited and determined to step into the better version of myself and leave everything I disliked about who I was in the past. But, fun fact, trying to build any new relationship on the basis of perfection is IMPOSSIBLE and honestly just exhausting. The beauty of living in community with God-seeking people is that they love you and see you as Jesus does. Imperfect and broken, but not defined by your mistakes. Instead we are accepted as the continually growing and maturing people that we are. Every day we are encouraged to take the slow, hard steps of becoming better and more like Christ through the sound guidance of our squad’s leadership team. I have so much more to tell y’all about the crazy fun people that I get to do life with every day, but that will have to wait for another blog! Ill be introducing my team and our leadership soon, so stay tuned :)
WHAT WE ARE UP TO
Its been a whirlwind two weeks, but let me try to catch you up to speed!
-Our group has had the opportunity to sit under some awesome teachers and we’ve had sessions covering the topics of living on mission, truth, the character of God, the gospel, our identity, living out ministry, the Holy Spirit, community, forgiveness, intimacy with the Lord, hearing God, culture and the gospel, walking in light, and sabbath. I would love to expound on what was covered in these teachings, so y’all just let me know in the comments if you want to hear more about a specific topic!!
-We’ve learned about international insurance, practiced how to safely live and work overseas, done team building/training exercises, learned how to organize a church service, implemented times of sabbath into our weeks, and have begun training for our leadership positions (more coming on that later!).
-We’ve painted, improved our killer spike ball skills, evangelized in Walmart, sung our lungs out, had bucket shower jam sessions, taken an early morning run (hopefully the first and only time lol), done dishes, taken breakfast selfies, walked through sickness, seen physical healings, and loads more!
-And just last night, we were named the 2022 SQUAD WAR CHAMPIONS!!! Im pretty sure our squad dance will go down in history and needless to say losing our voices was for a worthy cause. K SQUAD=BEST SQUAD so GO GREEN!!!
WHATS COMING
-At the end of this weekend/beginning of next week the 3 and 11 month programs will be leaving for the field. Please pray for safe travels and unity of mind as they begin the international missions portion of their program! That being said, the campus will be a lot less crowded and we’ve been told our schedule should lighten up which is super exciting!
-While in Georgia, we will continue our spiritual, mental, and physical training. At some point in the next few weeks we will be taking some of our things and hiking a small mountain to spend the night on as a means of conditioning our bodies and team building.
-In two weeks, our squad will be splitting up for some short term, in-country missions. Our guys will be heading to Kentucky to work with Samaritan’s Purse and help with flooding and disaster relief. There are two ministry opportunities for the girls in our squad and the final decision has not yet been announced, but I will keep y’all updated on where we are headed as soon as I find out!
THANK YOU
I just wanted to take a second to again say THANK YOU to each and every person reading this. By God’s grace and y’all’s help I am FULLY FUNDED for the entirety of my year!!! Words truly cannot describe how grateful I am for the support I’ve received financially, spiritually, and relationally over the last few months. LOVE YALL MORE THAN YOU KNOW!!!
LAST FEW THINGS
*Please continue to pray over my squad as we train! We have already encountered a new level of spiritual warfare and our minds and bodies are becoming quickly exhausted. We have so much excitement and hope for the coming days and weeks, but we desperately need the strength and motivation to continue intentionally pursuing God and each other! If you want more specific ways to pray for me and my squad feel free to text me, dm me, or reach out through the contact page!
*The amount of information and things we’ve experienced is seriously overwhelming. Processing and figuring out how best to communicate it all through a blog is new and definitely challenging. SO PLEASE let me know in the comments or email me what y’all want to hear more of!!
*If you aren’t already, follow me on instagram and vsco for real time updates and pictures!
Peace and Love,
Lydia Grace
“Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always” 1 Chronicles 16:11
