I’ve spent the past 11 days sleeping in tents in the unpredictable Georgia weather. I’ve spent the last 11 days meeting and getting to know my squad (the 50 people I will be traveling and doing ministry with). I’ve spent the last 11 days eating rice, beans, crickets, and goat with my hands. The last 11 days have pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more aware of how I will be living for the 9 months that are coming.
People are asking me, “What even was training camp?!” Honestly, good question. Training camp was worship, teaching, and praise. It was moving, uncomfortable, challenging, and exciting. Between bucket showers, (literal buckets people), thunder storms, airport simulations, and community living, I feel like I’ve experienced how to live authentically. More importantly, Training camp pushed me spiritually. I felt the holy spirit like i’ve never experienced before. Worship was authentic and real. The Lord was constantly showing up and teaching me new things.
This is a picture of my squad! M squad! Green Squad Dream Squad!
My team is made up of 6 people, including me. Below is a picture of us getting way to excited about finding Nutella. (Just World race things)
Meet my Team: Laura, Emma, Made, Payson, & Amanda. These will be the people I will be living with within my squad. I love them already. As a team, we had to choose a team name & quickly decided on Team Thrive. We want to thrive in community, loving each other, and making the best of every situation. We want to thrive in the good, the bad, the uncomfortable, and the unexpected.
Heres some other pictures from Training Camp. The first picture is of Emma and Amanda after taking bucket showers and getting so excited that someone gave us Peanut Butter. The second picture is of a group of us who decided to embrace the rain and swim in the retention pond, we were thriving. (see what I did there(-; )
I left training camp feeling content on where the Lord has me. Although this is a season of growth and change, I feel good about it. I’m trusting him wherever this crazy journey takes me. Even if thats 11 days in tents after a monsoon or in a few weeks moving to Swaziland. Im ready.
On a fundraising note: Thanks to the multitude of generous people who have poured into loving me well and donating to my trip, I’ve currently raised $10,246! What!! That makes me only $4,705 away from being fully funded. When I tell people about fundraising, I get goosebumps because I’m constantly blown away by others generosity. To everyone who has helped me get here, thank you for praying for me and supporting me so constantly.
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MUCH LOVE, Zahli
