As many of you may know, I just recently went to training camp in Gainesville, Georgia. Where to even begin? There was so much that happened and if I had one word to explain what it was like, it would be inhuman. I felt like I was in boot camp physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Needless to say, nothing about training camp was easy and everything about it was difficult.
On day one, I got little to no sleep traveling and with the adrenaline running through my veins, made it worse. Oh…and the Georgia heat, plus humidity, was a nice touch to make me sweat like I just jumped in a pool. Meeting so many new people right off the bat was amazing but gave my brain an overload of information going through my head (which I definitely struggled to remember names the whole time). Each day was a new theme and new cultural rules we had to follow. Following cultural rules during meals was quite a task when it requires you to eat with your dirt covered hands and with no utensils, as well as eating “unique” foods no questions asked. Waking up early and having devotionals with my team, going in for hours of sessions to learn more about mission living, intimacy with God, and working together as a community. We were put into so many situations where I had to do things that I didn’t want to do at all.
Now I know it probably sounds like I’ve been complaining about training camp so far, but hear me out….I LOVED IT!!! From the very second I stepped into the airport and left the comfort of my mother’s arms and into the the security checkout by myself, I was excited. From that very moment, God started stretching me in a new way and WAY more than I was okay with, but that’s not the point. I didn’t say yes to living a comfortable life where the world revolves around me. I said yes to God to stretch my faith in ways I couldn’t even imagine and in ways that bring me out of my comfort zone and to crush the box I put God in. I said yes to living with a Kingdom perspective that continuously puts my worldly perspective, that it’s all about me, away and continuously brings forth the truth that it’s all about Jesus coming for His church, for His bride.
Now onto the details of what I did exactly. We learned about becoming activated in bringing the Kingdom of God, which was split into three different areas but all of them needing to be together in order to work. Mission living, Intimacy with God, and Community. We spent a few days on each subject, the first being mission living. We learned about the different types of ministries we would be doing out on the field and how we should bring the Kingdom to whomever we’re working with, then we were put in scenarios where we might come across some common situations on the field. The second part was intimacy with God (probably my most favorite thing to learn about). To sum it up, we learned about who God is and most importantly we came to know Him personally (many people experiencing Him for the first time). It was amazing putting myself into an atmosphere where it was just me and God. Learning to silence the world’s voice, the enemies voice, and my own to listen to that small voice. Being in a place where it was just the two of us becoming intimate and I came to know more of the thoughts He thought towards me. Lastly, was the theme of community. This had to be the most stretching thing for me out of the three. Not only did we of course spend tons of time with our personal teams but we had to do “the hike.” The hike was 2.2 miles up and down hill on gravel, grass, dirt, mud, in blazing heat with humidity in 38 minutes or less. We pretty much walked or did a light jog up hill and ran down hill trying not to fall and eat rocks for dinner. Physical strength is definitely my weakest point compared to spiritual or emotional strength, but God certainly used this hike to push me. To cut it short, my whole team made it at the 38 minute mark. I’ll save the details for this experience for another blog because it’s too good not to share.
Training camp was amazing, and if God stretched me that much in 10 days, I can’t wait to see what He’ll do in the 9 months that I’m actually out on the field.
Go ahead and click subscribe for more updates on the amazing adventures I’m going on with God this coming September! Please pray about donating towards my funds for this trip as well. Can’t wait to share all the stories that are coming my way this next year. Also, I’ll be doing a blog series of “portrait drawings.” Each week or so, I’ll be doing a portrait sketch of a person God has lead me to and I’ll share this amazing encounter with you! Stay tuned!
