“Whatever happens is gonna happen and it’s gonna be okay” -wise words from my team leader. (Courtney saying that gave me SO much peace.)
Currently I’m on our 16 hour flight to South Korea for a small layover, then to Manila where I’ll have an overnight layover, and then to Tacloban where I’ll be staying. We’re about 7 hours out from South Korea. I will copy & paste this to my actual blog once I have WiFi. I’m not sure when that will be. I’m extremely tired, but God is good.
Fun fact about the Philippines: I can’t remember what it’s called (and I can’t google :((( lol) but they have a snack that they LOVE, and it’s literally a fertilized duck egg with a dead baby duck in it that they slurp up. This is gonna be quite the experience.
Training Camp
Wow. Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin. I guess let me say that whatever I post on my blog isn’t even a QUARTER of everything I’ve learned, experienced, etc. There’s no way I could capture it all even though I reallllyy want to. It’s so insane. And this is just the beginning!! All the uncomfortable-ness, tiredness, sleeplessness, tears, lack of showering, washing my face & brushing my teeth out of a water bottle in 30 degree weather is worth EVERY BIT of what I’ve learned and experienced. I’m not sure how to write this post considering I haven’t even been able to process it all.
Arriving at training camp was tough and all of this is super uncomfortable. But God didn’t call us to be “comfortable,” He called us to be His disciples, His children, and to serve those in need- whether that be where you normally live or out in the nations. Ministry can (and should) be done everywhere you are and that’s something I really hope to work on once I’m back in the States.
I didn’t want to leave everything behind and begin this 3 month journey with people I’ve never met. But mannnn am I glad I did. Jesus has taught me so much and I’ve experienced so much already. I feel like I’ve been able to listen to God’s voice better and just sit with Him.
I’ve heard some crazy stories from previous racers that now work for Adventures in Missions. They’ve seen miracles right before their eyes. Literal healings. HOW CRAZY?!?
God has been speaking to me. I went outside by myself for a little while to listen to Him. It was so crazy because I opened my Bible and let the wind turn it to what He wanted me to read. It kept going in between Luke 5-7. I was just watching it & asked God that if that was really Him and not just the wind to do it again. AND HE DID. It was pretty clear that I was supposed to read those chapters. I did, & those chapters are about some of the miracles Jesus performed. He spoke to me and said “I’m going to do miracles within your team and to those around where you’re serving” I absolutely lost it and just sat crying and worshipping because the Holy Spirit was SO present. It wasn’t sad tears, it was peace tears. Truly knowing Him has changed my life. (I want to encourage everyone to actually have a relationship with Jesus and not so much “religion” from this world. It’s totally different and Jesus just wants to be with you and have a relationship with His child. You’re His precious child.)
While I’ve been hearing the voice of God, I’ve also been hearing the voice of the enemy. A lot of us are experiencing spiritual warfare because the enemy doesn’t want us to peruse God’s kingdom, so he’s gonna do whatever he can to get us to turn back and go home. Little does he know that’s not gonna work. My team is so strong and we fight together in prayer.
That’s another thing- my team. Community living is so different. It’s been the hardest thing for me so far. ’ll get used to it I’m sure.. We talk about everything and it’s such a safe place to open up, though sometimes I wish I could get some alone time. We’re such a huge group. I’ve noticed myself pulling away from them a little so I’m gonna try working on that.
I’m super excited to get to South Korea, though the layover is super short so it’s not like we can do anything. I’m more excited to get to our room for the night in Manila and have a bed, pillow, hot shower, Ann REST!!
I’ll update you guys soon
Much love
