Saturday I got home from an eleven day training camp preparing six squads for launch this September. It was the most intense, jam packed, and fruitful eleven days I could ever imagine. We were constantly going, continuously growing and learning non stop but the way Jesus touched each and every one of our lives was just absolutely incredible. Let me tell you, I was NOT prepared. The first three days were pretty miserable, not going to lie. Georgia heat is NO JOKE. The days were long, the humidity was overbearing and don’t even get me started on the bugs… but throughout all that, I feel so much peace and so prepared for these next nine months out on the field.
Let me tell you a little about TC.
Bucket showers: It’s exactly what it sounds like. You have a five gallon bucket you fill up from a hose with cold water, you have a cup and a little wooden box to stand in. Each shower got better and better, but I was still pretty excited to have running hot water at home. (The lizards that would run across the top of the shower box were my favorite).
Port-a-pottys: 200+ people sharing 15 port-a-pottys in GA heat is something I’ll never forget. I did learn how to hold my breath for a minute and 15 seconds though without passing out.
Bugs: Crickets, centipedes, spiders, moths, lizards, and more crickets. Everywhere.
Friends: My squad has about forty people on it, and after eleven days, I have forty new best friends I’m HYPE to spread the love of Jesus with. Each one of my squad mates (GO GREEN BEANS) is so special to me and I’m so thankful God has called each and every one of us to this race because our squad is absolutely amazing. The passion and love for Jesus I saw in all of them is absolutely crazy. Jesus is going to do some pretty cool things in us and through us in this next year.
JESUS: Man, Jesus is pretty great, let me tell you. I learned so much I’m still trying to process all the information I got. One thing I learned and that I can’t stop thinking about is “Our God is One of unimaginable and unfathomable power, yet He decides to dwell in US.” -Claire Burton. He then uses His power through us and that’s how we make it day to day. By His strength alone, His grace alone, His power alone. (SO thankful I’m not relying on my own strength, grace and power). Another thing I learned is that being willing doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. As willing as I am to go on this 9 month journey, DOESN’T mean it won’t be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Keeping a Kingdom mindset, abandonment of worldly possessions and relationships, willingness to grow, positive attitude, self governance, and community are all going to be challenges. But through these nine months I’ll be studying and practicing what it looks like to be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide me through, so that after I’m done on the field, letting the Holy Spirit do His thing in and through my life is something that is so natural for me.
Training camp was emotionally, mentally and physically exhausting, but I am SO SO thankful for those eleven days. I didn’t absolutely love every minute of it, but I’d say about 99% of TC was pretty great.
Shout out to the staff at AIM, the serve team, the alumni leaders, and the many many others who planned and made training camp possible. Your work didn’t go unnoticed!
