For the past six months I’ve known that I’m going on the World Race.
I’ve been raising support, collecting gear, getting vaccinations, writing these blogs, and sharing my heart for the Lord with people I might have never shared with otherwise.
This season of preparation has been perhaps just as (if not more) significant than what lies ahead on the journey: i’ve been learning to take risks, let go of control, take hard things to Jesus, trust in the Lord’s VISIBLE provision for my needs, and allow Him to breathe life into places I didn’t even know were lacking His touch.
In the midst of preparing for the journey, I think I’ve somehow forgotten that I’m actually GOING on the journey. Soon. In forty-something days. And in four days, I go to training camp.
Simply put, things about to get real people. (come back to this, & see what I mean.)
This Saturday afternoon I will leave Sharp Top in the afternoon and make the hour drive to Gainesville, Georgia, for World Race training camp. Beforehand I’ll get to stop somewhere along the way to meet my sweet friend from college, Alice Sudlow, as she leaves her training session and I prepare to start mine. Of course, Alice won’t be able to tell me what to expect–everything will remain, as it currently is, a complete unknown.
I have no idea what’s in store, which completely excites me. I’ve lived life more times with a list-in-hand and a yearlong plan than I ever have jumping-off-the-edge, off-the-cuff, free-falling type of thing. But that’s pretty much what I feel like I’m about to do: close my eyes, squeal a little bit, and hope for the best on the way down.
I don’t know much.
I don’t know what we’re going to do at training camp.
I don’t know anyone that’s going to be there.
I don’t know if I have everything together I need. (No, just kidding, I definitely know the answer to this one: i totally don’t have everything together I need! i.e. see the bottom of this post. For next week, fingers crossed I’m good.)
I don’t even know the entire route of 11 countries I’m being sent to.
But I do know that I’m ready to go.
I do know I will finally get to meet the 64 other people that I’ll be traveling with on K Squad & the documentary producers we’ll be working with.
I do know that our squad is going to be decked out in the color red because that’s our team color, squad wars are a thing, and we have may have already made t-shirts 😉
I do know training camp definitely involves sleeping in a tent (pshhhh yeah, totally, i know how to set up a tent….I’ve been setting up tents for years……..), I do know it probably involves field simulations (border-crossings, oh-no-half-your-team-lost-all-their-luggage, etc), and I seriously hope it does not involve eating fish heads (why do I think that? let’s hope that was a rumor).
I do know we will leave placed on ministry teams. And we will leave feeling like family.
I do know, with all my heart, that I will encounter God in ways I never, ever have.
I do know that the Lord is good. That He has called me here, led me by the hand, set me down tonight, and said–
Keep trusting me.
What I read in the book Jesus Calling this week spoke to me beautifully:
“KEEP WALKING with Me along the path I have chosen for you. Your desire to live close to me is a delight to My heart. I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you. Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain.
The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak. Someday you will dance lightfooted on the high peaks; but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy. All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you. It is truly the path of Life.“
I don’t know much, but I know I desire to live close to Jesus. We’re taking this a day at a time, sometimes a half-an-hour by a half-an-hour, but I know I’ve got His hand.
And all is well.
Here’s to everything I know, and everything I don’t. I’ll report back next week and let you know how the free fall landed.
Would love your prayers now more than anything!
-K
P.S. Who knew there was so much to camping gear! (What’s a mess kit? Did you know there’s at least ten stipulations to consider when purchasing a sleeping bag?) I’ll be living out of a backpack next year, and there’s some very specific items I’ll need to get me through, keep me sane, clean, and functional. Getting my gear together hasn’t been stressing me out…yet. (I just honestly don’t have time to think much about packing while I am away from home working this summer!) I did make one trip to REI so far, and I left with…this spork. Sooo if that says anything…..
I’ve been blessed to have some very key items gifted to me, and I’ve been able to purchase some things myself. I’d like to share with you what some of my gear needs still are, in case there’s anyone out there who’d like to help equip me for this journey by providing something tangible (just think, I’ll think of YOU every time I rest my head on that tiny compressible travel pillow!)
So, I made this registry. Check it out below if you’d like, and holler at me with questions or for more details!
Katy’s World Race GEAR registry RIGHT HERE!
#OperationHelpKatyPackHerPack
