Over the past few months, I have been captivated by the Lord’s goodness. Every time I hear a testimony of what the Lord is doing, I cannot help but say, “God is good.” This feels especially true as I have been at training camp for the last week.

I landed at training camp on August 28, set up my tent, and met my entire squad. There are 25 racers and 7 leaders on my squad. It feels so surreal to be in this space with these people, and it is exciting to know that the Lord is going to do some amazing things through this squad.

Throughout training camp, we have been preparing our hearts for the ministries we are going to step into. This has included daily team devotionals, worship sets, teaching sessions, cultural scenarios, and team-building activities. It has been such a gift to be part of the team the Lord has provided for me. We have truly been seeking the Lord and His heart for each country.

To give you a better understanding of what God has been doing during this time, here is a list of where I have seen His goodness over this last week:

• The first person I met from my team, and feeling like I have known her my entire life

• Deep spiritual conversations with my squadmates

• The wisdom and knowledge of my leadership team who will walk with us throughout the Race

• Laughter as we get to know each other more deeply

• Worshipping while doing dishes

• Cleaning porta-potties

• Hiking Mount Yonah as a team with our packs (this was challenging, but so beautiful to see the body of Christ working together)

• Hearing the testimonies of my teammates about the bracelets I made for them and how it has spoken into what the Lord has been revealing to them in this season

• Squad Wars competitions

• Bucket showers and bucket laundry

• Warm hugs

• Powerful prayer over our team as we work through the things the Lord has been revealing to us

• Stargazing and watching sunsets

• Taking communion as a team

• Rededications and baptisms

Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”

What I truly love about the Lord in this season is that He does not change. His goodness is not something that disappears depending on our circumstances. It is part of who He is, and we can look for His goodness in every situation. I am blessed to experience and see His goodness in so many ways because that is who He is. His mercies are new every morning, and we have the opportunity to look for His goodness in everything we walk through, even when it seems impossible.

Goodness is part of God’s nature. He is always true, righteous, and good, and there is no evil in Him. His intentions toward His people are good.

The ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness is found in His plan for our redemption. God’s Son came as the perfect and spotless sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). This is an invitation to seek Him and to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

So I am encouraged and comforted to know that I serve a God whose presence is unchanging as my team and I prepare to head to our first country and begin ministering to people in His name. My hope is that people will see the goodness of God through us as we seek to be His hands and feet in Kenya.

Below are some photos from training camp! :)

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for the five teams my squad will be divided into, as each team will be serving in a different part of Kenya.

• Pray for boldness as we step into the mission field in Kenya, and that we would constantly run back to the Lord to be filled and strengthened by Him before moving forward.

• Pray for my squadmates’ families and friends back home, and for the things they will miss as they are faithfully serving the Lord

• Pray for open hearts as we step into the plans the Lord is already carrying out in each part of Kenya.