Time is flying and I honestly can't wrap my mind around how I'm back from training camp and in less than 6 weeks I will leave for the Nations!
I must admit I was a bit frightened by what I'd find at training camp. Would I physically be able to do all that was demanded of us? Would the food be sufficient for me (particularly with my peanut allergy)? Would my squad like me, or would there be a great divide because I'm one of the older Racers? All of these thoughts were stuffed in the back of my head as I headed to Atlanta with a 35 lb hiking pack on my back.
But once I arrived, I met my fabulous U squad and realized God had blessed me with the most amazing squad that all passionately love the Lord.
Together we all endured many challenges and simulated scenarios throughout the week to prep us for the missions field. To add to the experience, it rained, I mean POURED throughout the week, like these crazy downpours.
I remember asking our Squad leader "What happens (in terms of our tent living) if the field turns into a swamp?" She said "You deal with it. That happens in the mission field & you just have to figure it out." YIKES!
Thankfully, the field never turned into a swamp, and I became a pro and putting up and taking down my tent since we had to do it everyday!
Training camp did however required releasing my own will over and over again. There were at least 2 moments that I thought I don't think I can do this, and the words that a good friend spoke to me the week before impacted me and helped me endure. "I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me!" (Phil 4:13). Most of us know this scripture, I personally recite it all the time, but what my friend shared with me was how God was showing her how Christ is the emphasis. Christ is the one doing the 'all things' & because of this even when I feel like I can't, it's ok, because He can. So I released control and He gave me grace to move through each challenge.
Even during worship God was calling me to relinquish control. At one point there was a response call and my inclination was to stay at my seat and receive what God had for me there, but I felt Him calling me out, and so I quickly walked to the alter, and I'm so happy I did. In releasing control even in my worship, The Holy Spirit did a new thing in me and met me in a new fresh way. As I was at the alter, the guest speaker who also happens to be my Dean (ATS what what!) kept saying "some of you need to relinquish control." If I wasn't up there already, I would have wanted to take of my shoe and throw it at him for being so right on!
So, the thing about control is this, you can keep it or you can release it. You may have the ability to control certain aspects of your life, BUT when you do so you miss so much of what God has for you, you miss the fresh move of God. I'm not talking about 'self control' but control, as in you call all the shots. I met God is new ways because so much of the week was outside of my own ability.
In one word, training camp was "POWERFUL". God powerfully and intimately touched His children. But that power was activated by our ability to be vulnerable and admit our need for Him, to admit our own weakness; "for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).
When you're in control you short change the amazing things God wants to give you…and for the record…you can't outdo God's giving! He's got more for us then we could ever produce for ourselves. Training camp for me was a time of surrender, and surrender I did. So to you (faithful reader) I encourage you to lose control…just dance…and let God lead! That's what I learned (and re-learned) this week & my next 11 months will be lived out more surrendered because of it!
I 100% believe God has called me to this missions trip! I also believe He has called some of you to go with me in the form of financial and prayer support! If you would like to answer that call by becoming a supporter click the "Support Me" link! I am about $2200 away from hitting my launch deadline, and $11,218 away from my fully funded goal. In order for me to leave with my squad in September I need a total of $6500 in my account no later then August 14th (time for processing). God is able! Feel free to email me with questions & comments at: [email protected]
