Two weeks ago I was gearing up for training camp, and nervously awaiting the 10th of July. I was anxious to meet the people that I would be spending the next year with and terrified that I would somehow be less prepared for this than my squad mates. I was full of expectations, impatience, and more than anything- fear.
But my God has a way of taking all of those expectations and drowning them! He loves me so well that, wrapped in His goodness, I have nothing to fear. And He was so constant in perfect love at training camp. He gave me comfort in the details of the sky and the steadiness of the trees, He gave me His wisdom through the mouths of my leaders and gave me peace through the hugs of my sweet team mates. 
Some nights were hard, some days I was overwhelmed with the thought that I was not strong enough or smart enough for this journey. But through it all God continued to speak into me and shift my eyes from my own incompleteness to His wholeness. A word He continued to give me was FOCUS. If we are focused on the things of the world and all the distractions that cross our path, we are sure to fall into despair at the hurting and brokenness we see. But if we fix our eyes on things above, we see God’s perfect love for humanity and the fullness we can have in Him.
Time and time again I saw the surrender of His people. Team mates and squad mates opened up in vulnerability and handed it all over to God. People carrying burdens for a decade, laid them at the foot of the cross and were clothed in forgiveness. 
600 hands were open in worship to the one who created them. And people shouted His name with power and conviction, praising the one who sets us free. Oh how good you are God, that you know just how to mend our fear and our wounds, you know the desires of our hearts and you know what is best for us.
Through the rain, the heat, the exhaustion, the sickness, and the cold bucket showers. God is SO good. In 11 short days He melted my heart and opened my eyes to see Him in brand new ways. I am overwhelmed and over joyed by this renewed view of my Father and His magnificent creation. And I am so so thankful for a God who is so loving and faithful even though I can never know how to love Him perfectly.
In 7 weeks God will carry my squad to the other side of the globe, bringing His powerful name wherever we go. There are so many unknowns, But I am not full of fear. Because I belong to a God who casts out all fear, and who will hold me every step of the way.
With joy and peace,
Alyssa Clark
