It has been a week since I have gotten home from training camp. I have finally unpacked all my gear and washed all my clothes and processed through most of all that went down. This last week has been a little overwhelming. We are coming down to the wire and the list of things to do, get, and get done feels like it is growing bigger and bigger by the second. But first things first, let me tell you about training camp.
I am not a stranger to AIM training camp. I expected the lectures, the wisdom talks, and the incredible worship. I expected to be challenged and put out of my comfort zone at times, to laugh a lot, and the dance parties. I expected the Holy Spirit would move. So for the most part training camp was all that thought it would be.
However something happened at training camp that I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t expect to fall in love with complete strangers in only 7 days. I didn’t expect for openness to be so easy. I didn’t expect to feel safe and free to be who I am in this community in such a short time of knowing them.
Some how through endless lectures, hours of worship, and countless activities and simulations life became so simple. Yes I was living out of 60 liter pack, yes my stomach was upset and bloated from all the carbs we ate, and yes I was uncomfortable at times. But something awakened in me during those seven days cut off from the rest of the world. I got a glimpse of how good living in community can be. I got a glimpse of how much fun is it is going to be to travel with E Squad. I got a glimpse of our squad’s heart for Jesus and His heart for us and let me tell you it is absolutely beautiful.
Words cannot express what the Lord has done in me over this last year leading up to training camp and what he did in me at training camp. But the short story is I got a little free. Free from all the stuff I was holding onto. I realized that I truly want to know God, every part of Him. If that takes me away from everything I know and everyone I love that’s ok cause I know He is worth it.
Since I have been home from training camp life has been a little overwhelming. There is still so much to get done and so many people to see in such a short window. There is still $4000 to be raise, doctors to visit, and just life things to handle. I expected to feel the pressure of leaving. I didn’t expect to question whether or not I should go on the raise or postpone until a later date. I have spent a lot of time praying about this and this is what I have come to.
I know beyond a doubt that this is the time The Lord has call me to leave. I know that E Squad is who I am supposed to be leaving with. I know that Unity 31 is the group of girls I am I supposed to do life with this next year. I also know that God is sovereign and good and faithful and no matter if I launch June 30th with E Squad or in September with all new people that what he has promised to do in me and through me is still going to happen. This is still going to be the best and worst year/year and a half of my life and I am going to be forever changed for the better because of this experience. So I am at peace with whatever happened.
Here is my challenge to you. Not everyone is called to go. But we are all called to be generous and good stewards of things that God has blessed us with. I challenge you to seriously pray. Take the next day or two to pray and ask the Lord if making a donation to my race is a way he is calling you to be generous. I still have $4000 to raise to meet my next deadline on June 30th , but after that I will still need your support to go on to be fully funded. It is my prayer that you will choose to donate but more so that The Lord would bless you tremendously for being generous not only to me but to others.
Click the SUPPORT ME link to make an online donation to my race. If 100 people donate $40 to my race THIS WEEK I will meet my goal before launch. If I don’t meet this deadline I will not be launching on June 30th and I will have to postpone my race until September. I cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices each of you makes to support me. It is humbling and encouraging to see the body of Christ rise up and see how The Lord dose the immeasurable more through the small acts of obedience and generosity of his children.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement and for your donations. May the bless each of you abundantly for you blessing me.
