YAAALLLLLL T-MINUS 9 DAYS TILL LAUNCH!!! Crazy, crazy! I got back from training camp just over a week ago and have been attempting to process what all happened ever since. I drove to Georgia, and had a super jam-packed week filled with information, worship, cultural guidance, team-building activities, and adventure. For sake of time and LENGTH, I’m just going to share my top 5 favorite parts of the training!
1. The speakers and worship sessions – throughout each day we listened to multiple messages from various leaders and speakers. We also had a worship session every day (seriously, those were fire). The sessions really brought depth and vision to the whole week. We did a lot of fun activities and games to get to know everyone better, but the messages are what really wrapped the week in CHRIST and in purpose. I could literally go on forever with how much information I received, but instead I’ll just say these sessions are what really helped me to see the fruit in what we’re doing and to better understand the journey I am about to embark on.
prayer after a session
2. Meeting my squad! These are the 29 people I will be spending the next 11 months of life with! We camped, ate, danced, worshipped, hiked, prayed, and got drenched in the pouring rain together. To come together and see how God hand-picked such a wonderful group of people…I’m just hyped to get to know everyone better and see how God uses each person’s gifts for His Kingdom! I also got to meet my team – this is the group of people from my squad that I will be traveling and doing ministry with for the first few months!
My squad!
My team! From left to right:
Aliseya: aliseyawilliams.theworldrace.org
Nicole: nicolemtorres.theworldrace.org
Talaya: talayacoleman.theworldrace.org
me: jessiejacoby.theworldrace.org
Sarah: sarahhahn.theworldrace.org
Michaela: michaelaroys.theworldrace.org
3. The FOOD! Each day at training camp was fashioned as a different culture/region of the world. This meant that we dressed as if we were in that location, and we ate food that would be similar to those cultures. A few of the days were Asia, India, Latin America, and Africa day. My favorite meal by FAR was from Africa day!
pupusas from Latin America Day
sharing a meal together
4. Squad Wars – there was a total of 3 squads at training camp, and at the end of the week we all competed in different games and a big dance war. It ended up pouring rain, which made it all the more fun, and the evening ended with baptisms and worship. I don’t have any pictures from this but I do have one video where everyone started singing “Our God is an Awesome God,” when it started pouring rain during the squad wars. I will attempt to link that video below š
5. Hiking up Yonah – For our fitness hike we backpacked up a mountain and camped overnight. This was by far my absolute favorite part of the whole week. Between the squad, leaders, and mentors there was about 35 people who came and we all sat on the edge of Yonah Mountain to sing praises to Jesus (shout out to Jacob for hiking up with his guitar)! For me the moment was very surreal – I couldn’t stop thanking God for the opportunity He has given me, and I was just in awe that He chose me to be a part of this family called K SQUAD!
The whole squad at the top of Yonah Mountain
Around the campfire listening to Keith & Karen at the top of Yonah
What’s Next: I will officially be leaving August 6th for launch. I will be in Georgia until August 12th doing some additional training, and then will fly out on the 12th to Guatemala! The first 6 countries of my route are as follows:
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Costa Rica
- Nicaragua
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- There are 9 days until I leave and I am still working on fundraising, so if you feel led to donate you can click the bar above this post! Thank you for reading, and I can’t wait to share more š
- PS: Don’t forget if you wanted to purchase a mug from Maple Leaf Pottery to support me, make sure to purchase quick before they are no longer available! https://www.mapleleafpottery.com/product-page/12-oz-world-traveler-a-mug.
I love the update and the photos were great too ! I am looking forward to seeing all the amazing places you will be going and the incredible work that God will be doing in each and every person. He is an Amazing God and I pray you will always keep that truth at the forefront of your heart and mind. “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation and says to Zion, “Your God reigns !” ( Isaiah 52:7).
Jessica I am so thankful that God has you with this group for the World Race!
I know that He will accomplish something great for you to see and surround yourself with Him and other people who also love Jesus
God bless you and keep you in His power and Presence
Faye
Jessica: I am so proud of your accomplishments that you have achieved. Your strength and love of God and your fellow man is unwavering and I applaud and support your goals. I wish you the best in your upcoming trip!
Jessie I am praying for you and your team that God who is good and only wants Good for all of you His peace and assurance that His plans will succeed ??
Great memories from an amazing week… and the memories are just getting started! Jessie, I loved getting to chat as you first arrived (“Hi, I’m Keith.” haha), getting to pray together during a worship session, and all of the other fun things in between. Can’t wait to be at your side for this crazy adventure!
Jessie, a kindred spirit…I so loved getting to know you at training camp and getting a glimpse into your brave and beautiful heart. Iām excited to see all that the Lord will do in and through you on the journey ahead!