10 days at camp sounds like an absolute blast. I’d like to think that it was just a normal camp, we would sleep in our sleeping bags, eat good food, worship, and learn more about the Lord.
Training camp, different story. We ate continent theme based food, sitting at a table with eight. Most of the time we didn’t have bowls or plates so we ate from one big bowl hoping that everybody had used hand sanitizer at least once that day. We spent most of our free time fantasizing of that the foods we could be eating or the foods we were going to overload on. Although the food was not something I would prefer I learned to be thankful.
We took bucket showers ( I made sure to do this daily), used the restroom in Port- a- potties (which are not my favorite) We slept in tents 8 out of the 10 nights. Some nights were spent practicing a field scenario. For instance one night we were dropped off at a lake with two tarps, food, our packs (without our tent), a fire, and each other. I wasn’t as skeptical about it as I was in the morning when I found out a few of my fellow campers had a little friend crawl on their face.
We worked out daily, learning to honor the Lord with our body. It was a significant thing because my mom and I have been learning how being healthy is apart of your relationship with the Lord. Needless to say I learned what it is like to be praising the Lord during 100 squats, 60 Lunges, 50 push ups, 2 minute sprint uphill, and our 175 sit ups.
Worship became the time I looked forward to most. The worship has no words to describe the true beauty of it. I have never felt the Lord move as I did when we worshiped. It was so comforting to look around and see a body of believers standing beside you with a common purpose.
Session time was the time most of all we learned what we needed to reevaluate. You truly never realize what is wrong in your life till it takes someone putting it into prospective. It was renewing. It sometimes pushed me theologically, and has me searching the bible out. (which is what we need.)
During the 10 days we had a 2 day girls retreat, the men had a 2 day hike. This was where the Lord helped me break down walls. This is where strings that had been attached to things of the World were broken. This is where the undeserving Grace, reminded me that I am Loved.
We also had team builders. During these we learned that it isn’t impossible to flip a towel with 7 people standing on it. Its sort of mind blowing the things we accomplished. This experience led me to the Wonderful team of girls, 7 to be exact.
This will be Gods biggest blessing. The Women of my team all so special. We all have something unique we bring to the table. I know the Lord had his hands in choosing our team. We had a wonderful day out in town, where we decided on a the team name “Atarah Doves.” (I’d love to explain the meaning)We laughed, we ate a a lot, we drank coffee for the first time in 8 days, and we rejoiced that the Lord placed us all together for a purpose.
The last day of being there we got the most exciting news of all. We found out that Team “Atarah Doves” would be partnering with “GO Ministries” In Guatemala for the first 3 months. This ministry is an organization that has multiple orphanages.
It was all such an experience, filled with a great ministry team, squad leaders, coaches, and mentor that pushed us to be better. I left out multiple details, so do not hesitate to ask me all about it. I am so thankful God has brought me this far. Thank you all of the supporters that continue to uplift me in their prayers. Please pray for me these next few weeks.
