There are so many emotions running through me right now. It is day 5 (Side note: I just had to ask a squad-mate), and it feels like I have been here for a year. Oh this makes me laugh, because I cant imagine how long 11 months is going to feel!
We started out in our tents and were awakened my the roosters early on the morning of the second day. We were told to pack up everything, and that we were going on a hike. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was… Especially carrying 43 lbs on my back. We have also been eating food from all of the countries we will be visiting and I have tried new things this week that I don’t usually like, such as fish and boiled egg, and I have prayed that God would help me like it… And I have! Enough to put it down anyways. Normally, I would just not eat something that I don’t like because there are other things that I do like. But here, the portions are SOOO small. I mean, when I’m finished with my meal, my stomach is still hungry (Welcome to the World Race) and so I must eat everything put before me. This has been a good lesson to learn.
Top Ten Lessons I Have Learned:
1. How to cope with loosing luggage
2. How to sleep on a hard ground, giving up my sleeping mat and blanket, and FREEZING my butt off
3. How to go without showers, toilets, and simply running water
4. How to room with A LOT of people in a tiny space
5. How to tie a knot
6. How to make a tent made of tarps… And sleep under it
7. How to effectively swat spiders crawling on my face onto other people in the middle of the night
8. How to wear the same clothes for multiple days
9. How to cover up my stink with body spray
10. How to not care about the way that I look… And know that I am a daughter of the King
While I have learned many humorous lessons, I have also learned some amazing spiritual ones. In my short amount of time here, I have experienced spiritual healing in some areas of my life. I have been able to let go of things from my past, as we have been to calling them here “cages”, and move forward toward the things that God has for me and others in my life. I have experienced spiritual and physical healing. We have also had some AMAZING worship here… I’m talking, life changing worship! There was one point that I just lost all control and was flailing around like a mad woman. The Holy Spirit was incredibly tangible in that room. He was there and pouring out His love on His children. What an honor to be around people who just let lose and invite the person of the Holy Spirit into the room.
The next hours here will be crucial. We are going to find out who are teammates are. My heart and head are filled with thoughts: Who are the 7 people that I am going to be spending 11 months with… If you think about it, please pray that God will empower me and my team in the Holy Spirit to be the best team that we can be. I want to rock this world, not hold back, and see lives changed everywhere that we go.
I am excited about the upcoming year of my life… And I’m excited for you to join me in this journey.
I love you all,
Kaitlyn
(Yes, I am posting this late… No internet at camp. There's another one to follow)
