Last week I was in Georgia for training camp. Going through training camp for a second time was interesting and I couldn't help but think back on last years training camp. When I think back on training camp 2013, the words freedom and power comes to mind. Members of my 1st squad experienced deliverance at that training camp that we all got to see, and I personally was flooded by the Holy Spirit in a powerful way. At the time I thought encountering God's power in that way was a testament to how powerfully God was going to use me on the Race. Although, I still expect God to work through me on the Race, I now realize the encounter I had with the Lord was a filling for the season following last years training camp, a season which would be the hardest season of my life.
This year however was different. This year, God came to me in a quiet breeze. No doubt some people in the room encountered freedom and power like they never had before, but for me, God showed up in a still sweet quiet voice. He also showed up in my weakness, and I experienced many moments of weakness last week!
My body ached (I'm feeling old), my sleeping mat deflated every night, we used icky porta potties, took bucket showers, had team boot camp, and slept on a school bus on a very hot and sticky night. We even had to sleep in the woods without our tent under only a tarp one nigh and use the bano in the woods (something not difficult for the campers in our group but extremely challenging for this city girl)! Training camp was much more "rustic" then last year, and it took me a minute to adjust to the differences. But in the end, each and every difficult element was much needed for my preparation for the field, and was redeemed because the lesson was heard loud and clear that in my weakness His strength is made PERFECT.
My body aches reminded me that I must lean on Christ and others for strength. The porta-potty's were a step down from what I'm use to, but a big step up from what lays before me in Asia (think squatty potties people)…so I'm grateful. The 2 bucket showers I took were actually pretty glorious and amazing, and between those and them golden baby wipes I was using all week, I didn't smell too bad actually. The boot camp session with the ladies, showed me the power of our thoughts. After hearing myself yell "I can't!!" for the third time, I realized God was working on a very important part of me…the part of me that needs others and can't do it on her own. Through this I learned two things: 1. when I believed I couldn't…I didn't. 2. Drawing off of my teammates makes me stronger then I can ever be on my own.
Finally, that night on the school bus was powerful. It went from being a chamber of torture (lol) to being a worship temple in the matter of minutes. Around 1 in the morning you heard everyone becoming restless, moving around, grunting, sighing…we just were so uncomfortable! But because of a few spirited squad mates that called us to worship a difficult situation turned into an intimate time with the Lord and each other. By the middle of the night we were singing worship songs, reading scripture, and praying for healing. We took a hard situation and focused our thoughts and minds on the Lord. We even experienced some accounts of healing on the bus that night. And what was interesting was, that every time someone received a healing on the bus, a gentle cool breeze would blow through the school bus windows. There was that still quiet voice again…it was beautiful!
That night I also received prayer for healing. Although I didn't see a full manifestation of healing that night, I believe God for it, and am grateful for my faithful squadmates for praying believing God for healing power. Because of them, I received a deep sense of refreshing in my soul. I also received a word regarding God getting the glory in everything…even in our suffering and that was an encouraging reminder to me.
Overall, training camp was stretching. It stretched me past my comfort zone, and was the perfect preparation for the unknown of the next 11 months. Words that best describe training camp 2014 are stretching and redeeming. God promises to those who trust Him, His strength in exchange for weakness, so every stretching moment was met with His perfect strength. The time was redeeming because God puts every difficult situation to work for our good, even when we can't see it right away. There is redemption for EVERY hardship and pain we encounter in this life. It's never for no reason, God always redeems our pain and gives it purpose.
I am grateful to be apart of H Squad, which is otherwise referred to as the joy squad! How amazing is God to place me on the "JOYsquad" after such a hard and difficult season. I look forward to growing with this group of worshipers, experiecing new levels of joy and Strength together, and am grateful to call them family for the next 11 months and beyond. God knows exactly where to place us, and I believe He has placed me amongst this squad for such a time as this!
In 6 short weeks I head to India with HSquad! Please consider how you can help me raise the remaining $6383 needed in order to become fully funded! To donate click the "support me" link above. Thank you!
