Uganda Training Camp

Uganda: Fusion 2017 Training Camp for the World Race

 

Why did I go to Uganda?

The World Race Fusion team was having their training camp in Uganda to start their race. The two weeks consist of trainings on what it looks like to do the race around the world. As a mobilizer at Adventures in Missions, part of my job is to attend training camp with the squads that I mobilize. To help transition the team over to their new leadership for their mission trip and to help assist in training activities. 

What was it like?

I met some of the squad in New York to travel with them to Uganda. The internationals met up with us in Egypt or in Uganda.

Our layover was in Egypt, where we had the incredible opportunity to sightsee the Nile River and the Pyramids.

    

We landed in Uganda at 4am and were picked up by Daniel, Stephanie and Jackie (Mentor and alumni squad leaders). After resting in the morning, training camp started that afternoon. The first part of training camp was 8 days long.

 

Some of the topics/lessons covered in training camp for the racers:

-Three minute testimonies: How to share your story in a condensed time frame with purpose

-Worshipping: Does this just look like the Sunday morning songs and praise?

-Today if you hear His voice, don’t hardened your hearts (but RESPOND!)–Learning to train our ears and heart to hear and respond to His voice

-Purpose of being here (on the Race, in Uganda, on Earth)

-Freedom–seeking and finding complete freedom

-Guilt and Shame: Working through our past shame and guilt

-Forgiveness and Healing

-Choice: We have the freedom to choose what life looks like and how we live

-Seeking the Kingdom–this comes in a variety of ways, but below are some examples:

*Treasure Hunts: You pray into the Lord’s treasure by asking him Who? What? Ailment? Where? Then you go into the community and listen to His directions

*Cool Drink of Water: Go into the community to give someone a bottle of water

*Look for the Least Person, the Lowest Position, and the Last Place

*Participate in community activities: Share testimonies at the youth service, share a word of encouragement with the women’s group, assist the worship team at church)

*Prayer walking: Walk throughout the community and pray for whatever the Lord lays on your heart

-Team Formations (We had team building activities designed to begin the process of forming the squad into 4 separate teams)

  

    

 

        

Team Jehovah’s Pride

Team Gentle Warriors 

Team DEEP      

Team 6-Pack 

As you can tell, the first week of training camp was packed with teachings and activities! Therefore, the squad took a few days of Sabbath in Jinja.

This city is where you can raft the Nile River. Some of the squad participated in the rafting. Others explored the local market. The squad was also able to get on wifi after a week of a fast from it. They were able to check in with family and friends back home and share about their experience so far. For me, I was able to rest and catch my breath! I went on walks with the Lord and enjoyed the nature He created, while also walking next to the Nile River–how cool! I took naps in the middle of the day, because why not? Our last day in Jinja, the entire squad went on a banana boat tour on the Nile River. It was fun to float on the river and observe all the Lord created, but we also got to go to Lake Victoria which is where the Nile River starts!

 
   

      

After Jinja, we returned to Kampala for the second half of training camp. The activities and sessions for this part of training were more practical and logistical. They trained on finances and logistics–learning how to budget as a team and how to travel safely throughout a variety of cultures and environments. 

 

The last day of training camp included a multicultural worship service. The different cultures on the squad shared songs and prayers from their culture. It was a beautiful picture of Heaven.

We ended training camp with a commissioning service. Where each person on the leadership team prayed over each racer individually. I loved this activity. It was a great way to conclude my trip with the racers and close out this trip.

 

What did I learn on this trip?

*My identity doesn’t rest in a task list. I am not bound to my tasks, I can do more than my “to dos” and I don’t have to wait for permission. 

From the very beginning of this trip I struggled with my place and purposes on the trip. I felt like I was just here because I was supposed to be. I was caught up in wanting to perform, wanting to make an impact, wanting to be needed, wanting to be valued, and wanting an important task list. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t come to a perfect solution. This was a daily battle. To choose to follow the Father and surrender this over to him.  I am valued, seen and known by the Father. His plans for my days are sovereign and perfect.

*Discontentment is a choice.

I had to fight to choose to humble myself for the lower end task and look for opportunities to serve and love the people in front of me. I also had to expend my vision to new ways that he wants to use my hands, feet and heart for His kingdom! 

*Prayer

He reminded me of the gifting of intercession and my love for prayer. I love getting to pray over people and watch the Lord show up and show off. He is powerful and he asks us to simply ask.

*Power of Your Words

We discussed the power of your words at Training camp, and it is so true. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our words are powerful tools that we can use for good. We can speak things we want to see. We can speak truths over situations. I love seeing how this shift in speaking negativity to speaking positivity impacts the atmosphere and attitudes. The Lord blesses our faith and obedience in speaking out who we are and what is true!

*Consider Him

The Lord reminded me of the little moments. To stop and consider Him. What is he doing? How is He working? Who does He has around me?  Also, I was reminded of my love for worship art. To spend time drawing His creation and doodling about His character. Seeing and observing the details of the Father’s hand. Truly stopping and resting with the Father.

    

I am blessed. 

I know that seems simple, but I forget.

I was humbled to realize that the Lord chose me. He picked me to be in Uganda. To see each racer. To see their hearts and passions. To be a part of their story. To get to enjoy and love the racers and ask the Lord for ways to give back to them. What an honor it is to be His vessel.

Also, He used several different encounters with the racers to affirm my purposes and job here in Gainesville. Most days I struggle with knowing if I am making a difference and how hard it is to try to build relationships over a phone, but the Lord was faithful in affirming how he used me in the racers’ lives and how He used me to encourage them in their journeys preparing for the race.

   

  

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Thank you for continuing to pray for this squad. Their month in Uganda ends today and they will head to Rwanda tomorrow!

To follow their journeys, check out their blogs here: Fusion Blogs