The past two weeks have been the hardest, most amazing weeks of my life. At the Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainsville, Georgia, I attended training camp–11 days that would prepare me to enter the mission field this September. Flying into Atlanta, I had no idea what to expect. I was beyond excited, but of course nerves were there. I would never have been able to comprehend how much I’d love my squad, my leaders, and my entire experience. Here are some things I learned:
1. I learned that God gives joy in the midst of uncomfortable circumstances.
2. I learned that cold bucket showers really aren’t that bad.
3. I learned that I need to work on being an adventurous eater. (Let’s just say I didn’t eat the crickets or chicken gizzard.)
4. I learned that missional living, intimacy with God, and community result in being and bringing the Kingdom of God
5. I learned that God is always calling me DEEPER.
6. I learned that it was probably a good thing that they didn’t feed us very much…because I realized how much I usually eat 😛
7. I learned that beans and rice are a wonderful staple food.
8. I learned that if I look AT the Bible, I will crash, but if I look THROUGH the Bible, I’ll be able to keep my eyes on the Lord.
9. I learned that if you have to set up your tent in a monsoon the first day, all of your stuff will smell like mildew for the rest of the week.
10. I learned that Georgia is hot. and humid. and has flash flood warnings every week from the monsoons previously mentioned.
11. I learned that God most definitely does not fit in any box.
12. I learned that even when you get an exercise ball to the face and are brutally knocked to the floor, it’s possible to rise up stronger and wiser. (Thankfully, it wasn’t me.)
13. I learned that I never have to be a victim, because there is FREEDOM in Christ.
14. I learned that without bug spray, people will assume you have chicken pox from the mosquito, spider, and ant bites.
15. I learned that light penetrates ALL darkness.
16. I learned that I have a desperate need to RELY on God.
17. I learned that if your life is not filled with the Holy Spirit, you are an echo, not a voice.
18. I learned that the Holy Spirit involves partnership, companionship, intimacy, and power.
19. I learned to ask God for wisdom every single morning.
20. I learned that comparison is the thief of all joy.
21. I learned that shame keeps you from hearing God, but when it’s expressed, it loses its power.
22. I learned that ministry is not something I can turn on and off. I should BE ministry.
23. I learned that it is possible to play it safe on the Race, and that I’ll have to step out and take risks.
24. I learned that it’s way harder to hike 2.2 miles in 38 minutes when you’re wearing your 40 lb pack, its 95 degrees out, and everything is hilly.
25. I learned that I can never stand in my own strength.
26. I learned that even when I really, really, really, don’t think I can do something, the encouragement and support of others goes a really, really, really long way.
27. I learned why cultural awareness is so important.
28. I learned that when you pack 300 people into a room, air conditioning does very little.
29. I learned that I am not the great I Am, but by God’s grace I am what I am.
30. I learned that prophecy is listening to God on the behalf of others.
31. I learned to kiss utensils and napkins goodbye.
32. I learned that 90% humidity means nothing will dry. Ever. No matter how long you hang it on the clothes line.
33. I learned that self-goverance will get me far. (Men and woman of honor!)
34. I learned that my ability to forgive is based on understanding how much I have been forgiven.
35. I learned that being emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy are all tied together, and all equally important.
36. I learned how to pack my stuff super fast. (We had to set up/tear down our campsite like five times.)
37. I learned that giving feedback should come from a place of love, and is actually very healthy to do regularly.
38. I learned that after having no form of junk food for over a week, getting Little Ceasars pizza will make me tear up.
39. I learned how to tell other people’s stories.
40. I learned not to rely on sleep or caffeine (because both were pretty nonexistent).
41. I learned that my leaders are the best (so incredible that they went into town and got me Arby’s fries)
42. I learned that I have THE BEST squad ever. I can’t believe I get to travel the world with them for 9 months!!!!!
43. I learned that personal space is not a thing (Other than sleeping, I was by myself for a total of 15 minutes during the 11 day training)
44. I learned that I love giant sleepovers.
45. I learned that the band Housefires is BOMB.
46. I learned that God can teach me about things I thought I already knew all about.
47. I learned that pain is the pathway to growth.
48. I learned that I can create—even if I don’t think of myself as artistic.
49. I learned that I have hyper-mobile shoulders (I learned this during an impromptu yoga session)
50. I learned that I have a good, good Father, who is going to take me on the adventure of a lifetime–Worldrace and beyond.
Thank you all so much for your prayer and support! It seriously means the world to me. Training camp was definitely incredible, and confirmation from the Lord that I’m exactly where He wants me. I leave for Cambodia in 7 short weeks! To say I’m excited is an understatement 🙂
Also, I’M FULLY FUNDED!!! (If you would still like to contribute, I need to raise funds for additional gear and for airfare to my launch location and to get home at the end of my trip. This would need to be directly to me and would unfortunately not be tax deductible.)
I’m blown away by God’s faithfulness and provision. I am beyond blessed to have such an incredible support system. THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me answer God’s call.
