God is at work.
I arrived in Atlanta, GA, on August 27th for Launch! The day was full of time spent with my squad, registration, worship and a late-night run to RaceTrac. On the following day, time was spent learning more about what Training Camp would be like. As an Adventures in Missions staff member told my fellow racers and me that our lives would be transformed at Training Camp, I pridefully sat in my chair with the thought of “I’ll learn more about the Lord and things he cares about, but I won’t have a story like these people who say their lives were changed here.” I was right in the fact that I’m learning more about who the Lord is and things he cares about, but I was so wrong in thinking it wouldn’t change my life. God is up to refinement, pruning, and growth. He is challenging me to love him deeper, trust him more, and surrender everything that I am to him. This journey has already proven to be hard, but God never said a life dedicated to him would be easy.
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
On Wednesday, September 7th, we went to Walmart with the purpose of evangelism. I was walking around with two of my teammates, Hannah and Kate, and we were praying for God to reveal who he wanted us to talk to. We noticed an older woman, probably about sixty years old, in the slipper aisle with whom we sparked conversation. The small talk led to me asking her who she would say Jesus is to her. She replied, “Jesus is my savior.” The conversation continued, and after she explained that she called Jesus her savior because he gives her strength and comfort and provides good times, I asked if I could share with her why I call Jesus my savior. With great joy, I shared the Good News of Jesus Christ that he died as the sacrifice for all sins then rose again. Tears streamed down her face, and she kept eye contact with me the whole time. I felt the Lord’s prompting to ask her if she had ever heard that message before. To my amazement, she said “no.” I was utterly shocked, and I am still grappling with the fact that that was her first time ever hearing the gospel. God humbled me and opened my eyes even more to the urgency of the gospel.
What does life look like at Training Camp? An average day here is an early morning wake-up call to spend time with God followed by breakfast, worship and session, squad debriefing, lunch, personal time, session, squad debriefing, dinner, squad/free time then bedtime. Other fun aspects of training camp include living out of tents, using only porta potties, washing our clothes by hand, and showering twice a week (sometimes with just a bucket of water) – circumstances that to the world would be unfavorable, but God is so kind to give us such things.
Meet my squad! Squad L – 22 racers, 4 squad leaders, and 1 squad mentor. Twenty-seven different personalities, backgrounds, etc. but all serving the same God. These people were strangers just two weeks ago but are becoming like family.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5
Team Revel! We will live together around the world and serve with the same ministries throughout the whole race.
SQUAD WARS!!!
Thank you everyone for continuing to intercede to the Father on my behalf! Please pray that I would rely on His strength to get me through each moment of every day, I would find joy in all things, and that God would reveal truth to me.
To the ends of the earth,
Madilyn
Wow! How humbling to realize that others have not yet heard what we have! The actual gospel! His atoning death and resurrection allows us forgiveness and life! And them too ?? may His truth reach many others or even just one thru you my dear Madi and the other “racers!” God bless your team and commitment. May you all too encounter Jesus each day and be renewed! Love you! ?????? oh and Lindsay & Austin had their baby boy today!! Welcome Kyler Joseph Waldhauser!!! ??????
Whoops- not sure why question marks showed up. Maybe in place of emojis. Sorry
Praying for you sweet friend! May God give you the joy, peace, and endurance necessary to run this RACE! May He continue to use you for His glory!
Wow Madi!! My heart is so full with love for you and your growth in the Lord!!!
Thank you for sharing Madi. What a good reminder that not all who claim Christ know Christ. In a world where there is much discouragement I am blessed by your update this morning.
Praise God! It’s wonderful to see what God is doing in and through y’all 🙂 Thank you for sharing the story of the woman in Walmart! You have the gift of evangelism, and people see the love and sincerity of Jesus in you. May He continue to bless you and your team, and bear much much fruit though you.
WOW Madi! This blessed me so much! So happy to hear about all the work God is doing! Praying that He gives you the strength to continue on and accomplish all He has planned!!
Love this so so much! So excited to see you continued to grow in your passion for sharing the gospel! Love you!
Thank you for sharing this awesome story! Thinking of you often and praying for you!
Smiling over you, lifting you up daily, and thankful for a God that molds and refines us. You’ve encouraged me today in the reading of your words and the sharing of His. I love you to the moon and back!
Praying for you as you adjust to your new family, new schedule, and the lack of some of life’s comforts. So good to hear an update! May God’s promises continue to give you encouragement and strength!
What a great update and yes we will continue to pray for you and the whole team to find joy in all things.
Much love
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Madi! it is such a blessing to hear how the Lord is already using you after just a few weeks away! i miss you very much and i am praying for you!! love love love you!!! – Abs
It’s a joyful day when the we think other people can be transformed and it’s simply supernatural when we realize the Lord can transform us too. In fact, it’s relieving to find out we’re wrong and determine God can change our lives with challenges, pruning and refining. Love all the pictures, shows me these people are important and are also part of your growth process.
Oh, Maddie! You are such a precious gift and it is so nice to see how the Lord is using you! Thank you for sharing! It touched my heart as well! God is so good and to have let you minister to a woman whom some would have thought already had a relationship with our savior! That is a beautiful story!
We never know what might happen in the slipper aisle…or the amazing conversations God has ordained for us. Yay God! And thank you, Madilyn, for faithfully sharing Christ with others. You inspire me!
So thankful to read your update and hear of how God is moving, pruning, and shaping your heart. You are remembered and prayed for each day. Your lovely magnet is on my refrigerator! May you find HIS joy in ALL things!
My precious Madilyn you are truly an inspiration to me. I am praying that you will continue to receive and be blessed by all God has planned for you on this exciting journey! Looking forward to your updates! Love and prayers always??