Life with God is a process. It’s a raw, hard, fruitful, joyful process. This is the week I experienced. I went to training camp last week and I am still trying to process what happened.
The first 2 days I was constantly meeting new people; people I would call family. There are 48 people on my squad. That’s a lot of people to meet in a short amount of time! However, I have never experienced getting to know people so fast so easily. We all connected on a deep level within days of knowing each other because we share a common love and passion for Jesus. I love each and every one of the unique, God-loving people on my squad!
At training camp each day the AIM (Adventures in Missions) staff gave us different scenarios. The first morning, the scenarios began. We had to pack up ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS, including our tent, put it on our backs and carry it around for 30 minutes! They wanted us to get comfortable with our things. Let’s just say I’m not going to bring as much stuff as I did to training camp. After our 30 min walk, we had to set up our tents again. We did a lot of setting up and tearing down, but don’t worry, we will not be doing it more that 2-3 times each month. (Thank the Lord!)
Another scenario we had to pack up our things again, and half the group put their stuff on one tarp, and the other half on another tarp. We were then told half of the group lost their belongings on the “plane” and they will be notified in 24 hours about getting it back. The half of the group who had their belongings had to help the rest of the group and figure out sleeping arrangements for the night. I was one with my things and had a teammate sleep with me in my tent. I let her use my sleeping bag with the thought that since I had all my clothes I could layer up for the night and sleep on my sleeping pad in my sleeping bag liner and be okay. I was wrong. Worst nights sleep ever! I was in a ball shivering all night! I have never shivered that much in my life! If this happens on the trip, I need to come up with a better plan.
Each day represented a different continent. We had India day, Africa day, Latin America day, Thailand day (to name a few). Whichever day was represented was the type of food we ate and the portions. We sat in groups of 8 and shared whatever was on the platter in front of us. Sometimes we had plates and utensils, sometimes we had to make due without. This was community. Other countries have much smaller portions than we do here in America (I lost a few pounds). We are very fortunate and don’t you forget that!
Along with these crazy physical scenarios, we had many sessions each day that dug deep into who we are. We learned about true forgiveness, and grieving. AIM staff wants us to process and get rid of (in the proper way) all the things that may hold us back from reaching out to the people we come into contact with. Situations were brought up from my past that I pushed aside or didn’t realize how much they affected who I am. I was not expecting this. God is working on me for sure! It’s draining and I’m tired, but the Lord gives me strength. He didn’t say it would be easy.
Even though we were not fed much physically, I was being fed enough spiritually to fill me! I was never really hungry. God was filling me up! Now I know what it means when Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 I was spiritually filled up like I could never believe. I was again filled with JOY from the Lord and was able to share it with my squad mates!
We love to dance!
God is good and real and I want everyone to experience Him the way I do. His spirit is alive and living inside each person who calls Jesus their Lord and Savior. Do you believe it? He loves you!
