training camp was hard. & here’s why:
1. sleeping in tents in Georgia’s summer heat !!
2. PORTA POTTIES ONLY
3. ice cold bucket showers
4. hiking 2.2 miles with my 35 lb. pack in 38 min.
5. bug bites. everywhere.
6. meals served with no utensils & nowhere to wash our hands (nasty)
7. four people on our squad decided to go home & not do the race
But you know what? For some reason I had trouble coming up with this list. Of course these things really weren’t great at all, but the Lord was with us. The Holy Spirit was moving.
This sad list of seven is minuscule compared to all of the good that happened at training camp. (if you had told me that I would be saying this after camp, I would not have believed you.)
I was scared out of my mind going into camp, even though I was telling everyone that I was excited. I didn’t want people to know because I was so embarrassed about my nerves. Most of it was because I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve had the privilege of going on many mission trips, but I have never had an intensive training camp as part of my preparation. I’ve never been tested physically to see if I could go on a trip, knowing that a possible outcome was being told I could not go. I’ve never slept in a tent BY MYSELF! The enemy was filling me with so many lies. SO MANY!!
What if I told you that Jesus broke down those lies? What if I told you that I was hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit left and right? What if I told you that I left camp with over 40 new best friends? What if I told you that Jesus gave me a word to cling to during the hike AND HE DIDN’T STOP THERE!! What if I told you that all of this actually happened?
Jesus is not intimidated by our doubt. Not even a little bit. He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!!!!! Why would our doubt & fear & plans shake Him?
Of course I knew this going into camp, but I was able to witness it. I was able to see the Lord work around and push through everything the enemy was trying to do to drag us down. It was honestly one of the sweetest weeks of my life that I had the blessing of walking through with Jesus by my side. What. an. honor.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
The enemy is LIKE a roaring lion. What a faker. We don’t even have to worry because Jesus has already conquered. What a promise to rest in!!
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers!
I love you all a lot(:
~ Kate!!
I would love to share more about training camp if you’re interested! Let me know in the comments specifics of what you want me to write about, or reach out to me if you want to grab coffee!
Here are some ideas I have
– the fitness hike journal pages
– hearing the voice of the holy spirit
– jesus kisses from camp
