Training Camp was amazing! It was physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally overwhelming (in a good way). Training camp was like an adult summer camp that was a lot more intense than normal. I am still in the process of processing what the Lord did in my heart during these 10 days. I will touch on the main things the Lord showed and grew me in, in these 10 days.
The whole training camp can be summed up as letting go of control and allowing myself to be uncomfortable. To realizing that life with Jesus is not being comfortable but allowing yourself to be okay with being uncomfortable in every area of life; spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, in situations, in every day life, in the small and big things of life as well. This training camp has pushed me beyond what I thought I could do or handle.
What I had to do physically was; Camp in a tent all 10 days which was an adjustment to my body but eventually got use to it. I had to hike 2.2 miles in 38 minutes with my hiking backpack on. If you are curious if i made it, I would like to say proudly that the Lord gave me strength to do it and I even had 4 minutes to spare. Its kind of funny because everyone was telling me that my backpack was bigger and taller than me (which was the truth) but the Lord got me through it with his strength. One of my squad-mates asked me if I could walk along side her the next day because she had to re-due it to be able to pass it and I gladly expected. So I actually did it twice but the second time, without my pack. God put it on my heart to walk along side my squad-mate and encourage her even if I necessarily didn’t feel like doing it again. If your wondering, my squad-mate passed the test! I also had to do outside bucket showers the whole 10 days which was an experience of itself. As well as use a porta potty all 10 days as well which was an adjustment but got use to it as well.
On the first evening, the session was about allowing God to have control of everything and allowing to choose God and what he has for us instead of what we want. I wrote something in my journal from that night that I would like to share in this blog. I wrote,”I have to give up the life I’m holding on to, so Jesus can give me the life he has for me. I can’t hide but I need to let go of things that give me control and comfort. To follow Jesus in the discomfort instead of go back to the things that give me comfort. I need to make room for Jesus, to be able to dump things out of my soul so I can be filled with Jesus.” I think that is a beautiful picture of dying to myself to allow Jesus to work in me.
Another thing that God showed me is that everything is a choice. Love is a choice, saying yes to Jesus is a choice, positive perspectives are a choice, good attitudes are a choice, making yourself last so other people can be first is a choice. I can go on and on but everything that is a choice is something you have to choose and most of the time (basically every time) it will not be what you want to do, it will be the hardest thing to do in the moment. I don’t have to go on the World Race but I get to. I don’t have to spend time with God everyday, I get to. I don’t have to be intentional with relationships but I get to. I don’t have to love my friends, family, teammates, etc. but I get to. Its an honor that God gives me this opportunity to be able to choose everything everyday. Its an honor that he chooses to be with me and to allow me to be in partnership with him to walk in his Kingdom everyday to be able to love people. Life is ministry and ministry is life.
Adventures in Missions focuses on three things that they taught us. The three things are; Intimacy, community, and mission. All three of these things work together. Intimacy is known as knowing God (trinity-Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and Faith grounded with scripture. Community is known as being the Church (followers of Christ), encouraging each other, serving each other, and using spiritual gifts for building up the Church. Mission is known as living life with purpose (things God cares about). Matthew 28:18-20.
Another big thing that was part of this training camp is the people I met and get to live life with them in this next season. I got to know the people in my squad. My squad is the people who are going to the same countries as me. We have 22 people in my squad and then we broke it up into 4 different teams. I am on a team with 5 other women. I’m on an all girls team (YAY)! At first I didn’t know how I felt about that but God gave me so much peace about it and especially the women that God placed on this team. God uniquely placed each person on each team and I’m so excited to see what God is going to do in and through my team and squad in this next season.
