As the shuttle from the airport pulled into the campus of Adventures in Missions, I was a nervous wreck. I was nervous about many things: connecting with my squad, sleeping in a tent, the ominous hike, the crazy food, and the spiritual connection to my future. I worry about everything, and it tends to make me not appreciate the present because I only focus on what is to come. However, within the first night of training camp, I felt a peace like no other. Despite the frenzy of figuring out how to pitch a tent and getting used to the constant dirty state of all of my belongings, I felt no need to fill my mind with worry and I accepted the welcoming feeling of the campground. The remainder of training camp was the same way; I had no anxiety because God had made it clear that that was where He wanted me.
The whole experience can be described in one word: new. Everything was new to me, and some aspects were more comfortable than others. For example, ramen for breakfast is a very good idea, and so is worshiping in the pouring rain. On the other hand, I experienced new things that made me take a step out of my comfort zone, like freezing bucket showers and hearing preaching about God healing people. The range is diverse, but training camp was a time for the realization that God is limited by NOTHING, and through him everything is possible. This coming year is not about me, but what the Holy Spirit will do through me. During our “Missions” lesson on the 12th, a key point was made that “Mission is the plan of God to bring about the purpose of God”. This struck a chord in me because this was God telling me that I do not need to worry about next year AT ALL. He has the plan already laid out, and I am merely being a servant of the Lord by helping to share the Gospel. My squad and all of the others are going to do amazingly new things next year all in the name of Jesus! What an exciting future we all hold. The occasional discomfort of training camp was worth all of the wonderful speakers and the multiple clicking moments in my head about what it truly means to be after God’s heart. I would choose bucket showers and jumpy grasshoppers for the rest of my life if it was the only way for me to be able to go and declare His goodness with such a wise and eager group of people. The wisdom and testimonies from my leaders, mentors, and teammates have showed me that God uses everyone, no matter what their past holds or what they look like. God takes us as we are and exemplifies his power and mercy through us. The leadership team is so encouraging and has been gracious enough to decide to watch over and pray for 23 crazy and loud young adults for their future. The people that God has placed around me are truly a gift, and I can’t wait to learn from them, as well as see God work in them. This next year is going to be full of surprises, and what greater way to test our faiths then taking this enormous step into the unknown?! God is good, and he ALWAYS will be. We do not need to worry, for His hand has been placed on us for this next chapter. God, we are ready and excited, so bring it on!
