I grab a sandwich and enter a sea of strange faces attempting to set up never-before-used tents. Most of us are not getting very far. Our first bonding task was one that took strategy, awareness, and finesse for the safety of others. Could 38 strangers set up their tents in a confined area and avoid poking out someones eye with a tent pole? The answer is yes. First of 100 or more difficult task down.
The next ten days unraveled with exceedingly more challenging tasks. The mornings came too early and the clump of rice that was supposed to keep us going all day lasted about an hour. I, for one, found myself feeling tired, hungry, and overwhelmed for a great deal of training camp. And it was amazing. I was given a chance to glimpse into the life of true appreciation and need.
The life stories I heard from my squad mates were vastly different and the pain of past transgressions we shared with one another was immense, but the healing and forgiveness I witnessed was even greater.
Honestly, I walked away from training camp feeling confused, convicted, and nervous. I realized I had forgotten the totality of the power of prayer and had become numb to many things the Lord has for me. God awakened me in those ten days. He reminded me I am his. I am his child. A lot was presented to us and I now have much to process, but I am awakened. I am acutely aware of Gods omnipotence and love.
This is the first step in a great journey of awakening.
