Challenging – testing ones abilities; demanding; producing thought and action.
If I had to pick one word to describe my past week at Training Camp, I would choose challenging. Those seven days were a challenge in every sense of the word and in every sense of my life: emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, relationally, digestively. I took two bucket showers, I ate family style off of a platter with my hands, I unpacked and repacked my pack every morning at six, I pushed my body to physical limits, I slept on a school bus with 41 other people, I faced overflowing porta potties before opting for the great outdoors, and I danced like my life depended on it. I experienced multiple “firsts” every single day and found myself constantly diving into some kind of adventure, big or small. But in reality, all of those things are small in comparison to what God was doing.
God not only surrounded me all week, but He showed up personally in my life. God broke chains, God undid ties, God granted freedom. God spoke life into me, God empowered me, God prepared me for the nations. I found a sweet, sweet freedom I had convinced myself that I didn’t deserve. I found a God that called me by name to a plan that will be more wild than I could ever imagine.
Each day I fell more in love with Him, the life I will soon have, and the people I will be spending it with. I met the most incredible, unique, and loving people. I got to stand among other young people in full blown worship. I got to know hearts with the same desire to bring the light of Jesus to the broken. I was overwhelmed day after day by their willingness to serve one another without hesitation. I have never felt more loved and free to be exactly who God created me to be.
Besides the 41 amazing people on my Gap A Squad, I found out the six people I’ll be doing life with as a team. I have the privilege of being their team leader; I get to lead them around the world and challenge them every day (talk about extremely humbling). So I bring you Anna, Megan, Sam, Joshy, Henry, and Mackenzie. Also known as Team Geronimo!
We don’t want to be a team that stands on the edge, gingerly dipping our toes in the water. We want to be a team that jumps with full abandonment into the life God has called us to. We want to be a team that dives fully into one another and the lives we have the opportunity to touch. We’re choosing to jump with both feet into the river of His love.
I’m confident that this is exactly what we’ll do. We had one night to “make a memory” in town with our team. What did my team decide to do? Talk with a homeless man named Gary (pictured above), invite him to have dinner with us, laugh with him, and pray for him. We didn’t have to acknowledge him and we didn’t have to give our free night to him, but we did. That moment defined our team for me and nothing makes me more excited.
ALSO, I finally found out the three countries I’ll be traveling to: Guatemala, Thailand, and Botswana! In that exact order. I’m pumped.
After all of these jumbled words, it really comes down to a few things: God has called me to live a life of freedom, so I’m living for Him. I’m preparing to be 100% absent at home, so I can be 100% present on the field. I’m not just taking a year off to travel and do a missions trip; I’m doing LIFE with these people. I’m choosing to die to myself. I’m ready to live in reckless abandonment, in full pursuit of God. I’m done talking, I’m ready to start living.
