Hello friends!
Wow, it has already been four weeks here in Georgia! Just over four weeks ago I stumbled off the jet that carried me from Alaska to the opposite corner of the country. With a sore butt and excited heart, my 36 squadmates and I set up our tents in the woods at the Adventures in Missions (AIM) campus near Gainesville, Georgia.
Since then, we have been learning a whole lot in our daily sessions, playing games together, and growing into a Christ-centered community. Each day looks a little different, but we follow a tight schedule which usually includes: 3 meals (don’t worry, mom), an afternoon and evening session where we are taught by a speaker, team time, free time, and devotional time.
Here, I will outline what a typical day in the life of a WorldRace: Gap Year racer at training camp!
6.00am— I wake up and crawl out of my tent, batting away spiders and other bugs trying to invade my hair and home, and make my way to my secret spot in the woods. I spend about two hours with God as the birds test their morning voices and the ants begin their daily investigating. This means studying scripture and journaling my thoughts and feelings.
8.00am— Breakfast! I have bought both hot sauce and a jumbo jar of peanut butter that I use to ‘spice up’ our breakfasts
9.00am— An hour to spend with God in any way we want. I am getting to know the creator of the mountains, the sea, and the creator of me so much more intimately than ever before. I usually spend this hour praying for my family back home and for my new family here.
10.00am— Morning session! A different speaker has two hours to teach us various important topics! So far, some things I have learned about: different cultural perspectives around the world, how to listen, the history of missions (and how not to repeat the ugly parts), and mental health! These are some awesome learning times!
12.00pm— By the end of that, we are usually hungry so we gather to pray for lunch! I love meals because it is a time to talk to squadmates and laugh around the table. After lunch is free time for 2 hours, where we can be found playing board games, napping in our tents, and taking walks in the woods!
3.00pm— We reconvene after free time to do an hour of activity. Some days its a workout, some days its fundraising, along with other subjects like squad dance parties!
4.00pm— Afternoon session! We all sit and take notes from a speaker. The last few were about student leadership tools and how to take responsibility for our actions.
5.00pm— Ah, one of my favorite times of the day. Dinner! The sun is beginning to get low, and we all eat food prepared by the incredible kitchen crew! I love how our whole squad takes turns serving each other every meal.
6.00pm— With our bellies full and our hearts happy, we seperate into our teams of 5 with our team leaders (alumni from last year) and process and talk about different things from the day. I will be spending the whole time on the field with these specific girls doing ministry together, so we are all bonding and preparing to do life together!
One of my favorite things about our days here is that we don’t have our phones for the day. I have seen how that invites a kind of raw, distraction-free community and intentionality with each other that is so fruitful!
Thank you so much for reading! I am enjoying my days here, but I am so eager to be on the field! We are headed to Costa Rica on November 5. In less than one week though, we are all loading into vans and driving to New Orleans, Louisiana to partner with Samaritans Purse for hurricane relief! (More about that soon!)
*don‘t forget to subscribe to get updates here on my blog!
All the love,
Grace
I am so proud of you, Grace. I am sure this has been a challenge (as well as a lot of fun), but this is just the beginning. You are going to grow and learn in so many ways. I am looking forward to seeing what you think of Louisiana…..My love to you. Grandma
Great days you are living! So fun to feel your excitement for the journey through your words and pictures. Prayers!
Love the moments you’ve captured Grace!!
You did such an amazing job describing what our days look like here! Thank you so much for taking all the time to take, edit, upload and look through your amazing photos! You’re such a blessing to this team and I know we all look up to and learn so much from you! I see the Lord working in and through you and it makes me heart happy!
My husband, Gary, and I are praying for you every Wed. and whenever the Holy Spirit prompts us. We have prayed protection over you, Spirit, Soul & Body. Jesus grew in favor with God & man and that”s what we pray you YOU, too! Your adventure thrills and encourages us! ( – : Coke
Thank you for this “day in the life of” post, Grace! I appreciate being able to picture where you are and learn more about how you all are preparing for upcoming mission work. Such an exciting time – thank you for sharing and pulling me in … grateful for the reminder of the journey you are on and will join in with renewed commitment to prayer for you and your squad mates! ??
Oh, Grace! How wonderful to see your sweet face and read about your experiences so far. Your photos are gorgeous and it makes my heart happy to see your structured time in the Bible. You are an inspiration to me! Sending love from Sitka….
Thank you for your great detailed Day in the Life: Training Camp and photos. What a wonderful time of focusing on God and learning. On Wednesday at GIRLFRIENDS we pray for you. May God bless you.
Sounds like an amazing experience, praying for you!
Grace, what a joy to hear how your journey with the Lord is growing. Taking time early in the day with our Father sharing your heart with him and having his heart revealed to you is priceless. Praying always for you and sharing your adventure with our family. ??
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourself, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2Cor 9:13-15
Grace, Paul’s note above is so applicable to you, with all the faith and prayers you inspire.
Love your posts. Keep them coming.
Love, Gma and Gpa
What a joy it is to hear your update and be part of your prayer support team. It’s exciting to be taking this trip with you through your blog and a prayer connection. Praying that your team would have the mind of Christ in all you do, that your preparation time would unify the teams, that each member would be able to function in their unique gifts, that God would provide every need, that you would feel His presence and His strength in the hard times, and that God would use this time with Him to prepare you for your path once this gap year is over. May you grow closer to Him each day for He is the lover of your soul.
Luv ya so much
enjoyed your tour so much ! Hope to see u this Sunday at Community Church.Metairie
Louisiana! God Bless Grace Grace Grace! Keep them coming! Amen.Sister Eleanor
Mmu.n
GRACE!!
Love the day in the life of “Grace” and the World Race training camp. Your roots are deepening, and your spirit is expanding. Growth, growth, growth, and more growth. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for you and your team. You carry the heart of the Father and that is infectious! An encounter with that will change someone’s life! Blessings,Favor, and Increase??????????
The joy of the Lord is our strength! I am so excited for you and for the team, and commit my prayers for God‘s will in your life and that of your team members. It is so exciting to see young people step up to the plate to serve their Lord and Savior and spreading the joy to others. God bless you Grace! I’m so honored to know you in my lifetime. Jesus loves you and so do we!
I had quite a miracle happen recently, when I was Hiking Beaver Lake and my white Scottie terrier named Piper, suddenly disappeared. After searching for a long while, the couple I was with and myself went back down the hill. I spent the night praying and crying, accepting the fact she might be gone forever.
We went back at the crack of dawn next day and searched, only hearing a small squeak. She had fallen down about 60 feet down a steep cliff and landed on the only small ledge there was.
In a very daring rescue, two men scaled the cliff and somehow secured her, lifting up arm over arm. She was bruised up a bit, but safe and sound. Praise the Lord!!
One of my favorite blogs to date – I love the stories, the REALNESS, and the photos. I’m so proud of you and can’t WAIT to watch this story continue to unfold!! 🙂