World Racer Bekah Spurgeon of September 2012 J Squad suffered a severe injury that threatened her World Race Training Camp experience. Here’s her story:
I arrived at training camp completely broken.
My heart was still tender from leaving Los Angeles, the city where I spent every day living my dream for the past three years. Images replayed in my head like a movie screen; tear-filled goodbyes with some of the best friends I’ve ever had, giving my precious cat Doodle to a new family, and bringing closure to a lifelong love affair with my favorite art form.
Since the age of 8, I’ve been either studying dance, teaching dance, or dancing professionally. The thought of not having it in my life at that level for a year is a strange feeling.
It’s no exaggeration to say I felt paralyzed by the thought that all of that was officially in my past and only an unmapped future unfolding before me.
But that was just the emotional brokeness.
Physically I had two torn tendons in my foot that felt really awesome, especially when getting caught on a broken bone in my ankle that was still healing. My arms were sore from the overuse of my crutches as well as packing many suitcases full of our belongings before we left LA, headed straight to training camp. (Word to the wise: getting 5 vaccinations in your arms while on crutches and moving out of your home is dumb)
Here’s how I looked when we rolled up to training camp:
Upon our arrival to the airport, Josh was so embarrased that he made a beeline to get in front of me and said “Wait…let me block everyone from staring at you” as we walked up to meet our squad. That wheelchair was not the most agile…
Once we got to camp, I began to see just how hard the week would be. The ground was often wet and there were many large grassy hills to climb. There were no wheelchairs available and no ramps to make the stairs easier for “Gimpy.” (my new endearing nickname.) The long distances on crutches made the inside of my arms raw so it wasn’t odd to see Josh slinging me over his shoulder and walking as far as he could without collapsing in effort to speed up the journey to our next destination.
We were slower than EVERYONE and probably looked hopeless to ever make it 11 months in 11 countries with just a backpack.
God was breaking every self-sufficient and independent bone in my body.
Whenever I tried to do things myself I quickly learned that I was 100% dependent on those around me and began to thankfully recieve, recieve, recieve. Simultaneously God was doing so much work on the inside, teaching me how to be content outside of my comfort zone, preparing me to live for a year with little to no familiarity and constant community.
Whenever someone at camp inquired as to when my cast could be removed or when the ankle/foot would be better I always replied, ” By the end of this week if that’s what God wants to do!”
I knew I had been instructed by my doctor to wear it for much longer but I claimed healing every day in my thoughts and out loud to others in the name of Jesus. I have never wanted anything more with all of my heart. Not only for relief of pain but to give my sweet husband a break from serving me and most importantly to display God’s power and increase the faith of the 250+ world racers that had seen me struggle through the pain daily.
Throughout 3 days, and during three different times of worship and prayer God straight up healed my ankle. I felt a warm ball of fire refining the ligaments and making them new again. There was also a gentle vibration/buzzing around my ankle bone and it was completely healed as well.
On the last night of worship at training camp I danced passionately with my Lord. It felt difficult to keep my eyes open as I painted the air space with my limbs. His presence was thick and His love, Mighty. With each spirit led movement I felt my body carving through a thick blanket of Glory. I will treasure this moment with Him and will worship Him forever.
Since Training Camp, He is making more and more of me new.
He whispered to me that He will use my dancing throughout the world this year for His glory and I need not fear the surrender of my gifts to their maker.
I am flat out overwhelmed by the unconditional love of my Savior.
He can NOT compare to anything on Earth. Not a spouse, a best friend, a pet, an achievement, an addiction, or a (fill in the blank)____.
Jesus is better than life.
What circumstance, relationship, ailment or deep hurt do you have inside for Him to make new? Share your story in the comments.
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