These past 10 days have been more than just training; they have been the start of a lifetime of ministry. It is hard to even begin where I should start. Not only have I changed but there has been a change in each squad. Before I came to camp I did not have a clue as to what I was getting myself into. I really did not have expectations but I assumed we would talk a lot about cultures and how to be sensitive to the areas we were in. I thought we would do lots of team building exercises in order to get our teams and then sit around and discuss our plans for the year.
I am not saying that these things did not happen but they were defiantly not the priority. I did not expect to “work” on myself. I mean haven’t I given up enough already? Have I not stepped out enough… given up a comfortable life, job opportunities, graduate school, financial security, and a mountain of other things?
The first few nights were geared at this idea of “freedom.” This was a whole new concept for me to grasp. I know I have freedom in Christ and I am even free as a citizen of the US! What more could there be? Acts 3:19 talks about the blotting away of our sins and at salvation I understood this. However, I knew there was more. There have been those things that God has been wanting me to completely give to Him but I just have been to selfish to do it. I came to a point where I realized that if God does not have complete control over every aspect in my life, including giving up sin, then I am not ready for this trip. How could I minister to people around the world when I couldn’t give everything to God? I couldn’t!
The moment I realized this was the moment that I realized that I was completely free! I know that God will continue to work in my life but I am willing to do the work and let God control those aspects of my life. I am no longer a slave to guilt and sin in these areas that I have held in for so long.
God has placed me on a probably the greatest World Race team ever! I am so excited to work along with Tanna, Emily C, Emily Y, Caley, and Eric! For everyone that has been praying for this week I can not explain how much you have done for me! For those that have supported financially, thank you too because without it I would not be here!
