Wow… just wow, I do not really know where to begin so sum training camp up; it was nothing like I expected to say the least. We got there the first day to 275 newly, ready for the adventure young adults. They were jumping, singing, hugging, and just having a good time, it was a crazy experience! The first few days of camp were honestly a little overwhelming, so much was going on in such a short time frame. We got our teams for India (maybe the whole 9 months) on the first day, 42 on P squad, about 6/7 on each team. I will say, I probably have one of the best teams, they have become family in the last 10 days. One thing training camp is known for Is THE HIKE, 2.2 miles with our full packs on in 38 minutes. It was a team building exercise, you all make it together or no one does, no pressure right. We made it the first lap, but one teammate got overheated (that Georgia weather can get you) so she had to stop, but the rest of us were determined to finish, and finish strong. We hit the second lap and it all went downhill from there. I have been recovering from a recent rock climbing injury on my ankle that has not fully healed yet, so hiking/running was not the best idea. My ankle gave out on me, but we wanted to keep pushing on. Let me tell you, I have never experienced team work before like I did in those moments. My 5 other teammates carried/dragged me he remaining lap, we got to the bottom of the hill with the finish line ahead. Right then the adrenaline kicked in and we RAN up that hill making it by the second in the 38 minutes. Yeah, the team had to redo it the next day (they made it) but we had done it through blood, sweat, and tears. I ended up on crutches for the last 3 remaining days of camp…
What I learned:
Never ever doubt the power of the lord! We all have things in our lives that tend to hold us back a little bit, well I had one thing. The lord changed that in a blink of an eye at camp, I doubted the lord and he sure proved me wrong. I also believe that we get caught up in the things around us and in what our futures will look like, in James 4:14-15 it says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”. These two verses have been on my heart so much lately, I had a whole plan for my life laid out before committing to the race, and I assumed my plans were better than God’s plans. Was I ever so wrong with that, I had not planned on the race but the Lord decided that is where he wanted me, so I listened. God has a perfect plan for each of our lives, are we willing to follow along putting our full trust in him? He made a path for me and I cannot wait to see where it leads. I do not need to worry about the things of this world, I need to focus on if I am fulfilling the Lords plans to the best of my ability with him alongside me.
My Challenge:
NEVER doubt God and his plans. Take that leap of faith willingly without complaint. Never be afraid to tell your story because God has written a beautiful one for each individual person. No one story will match up with another, we are all unique in the Lord’s eyes, be willing to share it. STEP OUT IN FAITH! Get out of your comfort zone for the lord! Jesus never had it easy right? And we strive to be more like him, so take the leap and never doubt or give up on the power of the lord.
Sum it all up:
I won’t lie, training camp was not easy, it pushed us mentally, spiritually, and physically against all limits, but we made it through by the strength of Jesus. I was tested so much in those 10 days but I was not alone, God showed up in ways I could never imagine and I am so proud to be called His daughter.
Now you are probably wondering why my title is Aslan’s Army, that would be me and 7 individuals ready to take on the work of the lord and to spread his word across nations! *Cues hakuna matata remix by Gar* “The great commission, what a wonderful phrase, it means disciples, for the rest of our days…. Its our problem free, theology, the great commission”
