Training camp… where do I begin? Each day presented its own challenges whether it be falling out of a hammock onto a nest of hornets or learning how to forgive someone who has hurt you in the past. I just got back two days ago and I’m still exhausted from the mentally and emotionally draining week, but I can’t help but let you all in on what I experienced!!
Let’s start with the best thing of all… FOOD!!! Hmmm lets just say the food was an interesting experience to say the least. Most days we found ourselves grabbing handfuls of rice and eggs off a platter shared by 8 people and if we were REALLY lucky there would be a mystery meat or bread!! mmmm.. the carb cravings were real. Each day was a new continent and our food would correlate with that continent. Sometimes we ate with chopsticks and a lot of the times it would be with just our hands! Some days the food was spicy and sometimes just plain tasteless. I’d have to say the 100 year old egg had to win for most disgusting/bizarre food that week. Although we all missed American food terribly we learned how to share and split food and be less germaphobic as we all dug into the platter like barbarians. And I think we got a good taste of what kind of foods to expect out on the field!
Living as a minimalist for 10 days was pretty eye opening and the reality of leaving all my comforts behind started to sink in. I slept in a tent or hammock almost every night. Catch the key word almost. 3 out of the 10 nights there were field scenarios that put us in positions that we might encounter on the field. The second night they stole half of the groups packs so we had to share tents and deal with stinky clothes the next day. Another night we slept in a building with all the lights on and airport noises for our airport scenario. And another was the community tents which was a semi “large” tent shared by 15 people. Hot, sticky, and smelly are words that come to mind. Bucket showers were available to those who wanted to wait an hour in line but for the rest of us 2 or 3 showers had to do for the 10 days. Combine that with clothes we’ve worn 5 times already and the 90 degree mid-July Georgia weather you can picture us pretty well… and smell us haha.
But more than all the physical comforts I lost was the spiritual growth I gained. And I think giving up all those comforts helped me so much in setting my gaze on Him, depending on Him, and hearing Him. I still remember the first night of worship how in awe I was of being surrounded by over 300 kids my age that loved God as much as me. I have felt alone in my faith going to public school and just living in such a secular world that being with so many like-minded people was too much to dream for! It filled me with hope and faith and passion, and I am so excited to live in this community of believers for 9 months. A community that uplifts you, doesn’t judge you, helps you grow, listens, and loves you. They will be my support, a shoulder to cry on, people to rejoice with, and life long friends.
I went into the week hoping for growth and with an open heart to let God work. Let me tell you He did not let me down! He exposed my fears and struggles and taught me how to give them all to Him. He showed me how to walk in freedom and to surrender and depend on him. He taught me to listen to others and to hear His still small voice. And He revealed to me how he’d been at work in the midst of my trials when I thought He had forgotten me. God has always had His finger on my heart and a plan for my life and I don’t have to be afraid of the future or of the unknown because I know He’s in control. He’s got me going on this crazy 9 month mission trip for a reason and I have no idea what I’m going to do after but he has a map for my life and I’ve given Him the steering wheel so I’m gonna sit back and LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN!
