Training camp was amazing! I learned so much and I got to meet some amazing people whose hearts were on fire for God. I learned about things I didn’t know, things that grew me, things that challenged me, things that shaped me, and things that were wrapped in so much love. Those things were God. I learned so much about God that I didn’t even know before. God grew me, God challenged me, God shaped me, and God wrapped me in so much love.
Something I learned about Jesus this week was how to communicate with him. One way God spoke to me was through nature. We all had some time to reflect on what God was saying to us. I was sitting on the ground and I saw a fly, flowers in some weeds, and bees that were getting pollen from the flower. God spoke to me through all of these things. He said, “Brooke, don’t you know that even a fly has a purpose? Even flowers bloom through the weeds? Just like how the flower needs the bees to grow, you need to let people in so that you can grow.” I gathered all that just sitting and listening to Jesus. If we strive for God and listen, he will reveal himself to us. God speaks to us every day if we choose to listen and seek him.
The Holy Spirit grew me by revealing to me my struggles. I learned that sharing my testimony will give other people hope. It gives people hope because I can show how God got me through the rough places in my life. Sharing my heart shows God’s truth in my life. It will let people know that they are not alone in their struggles. I grew in my relationship with the Lord. He made me realize that our relationship was dulled and that I need to come back to him so he can make me a beautiful masterpiece.
The Lord definitely challenged me. He challenged me by taking the comforts of my home to find real joy, taking cold bucket showers to appreciate the little things in life, and praising the Lord in small ways. For example, eating spontaneous food like crickets created fellowship with my team. Sleeping in a tent with another person so we could share our stories. Taking away my free time so I could get to know and care for other people. Hiking two miles pushed physical boundaries so we can see what we are actually capable of. The hike also taught us about encouragement and how to uplift one another. My favorite memory of my team was when we finished the hike all holding hands. I am so proud of my team of 7 because they are courageous and selfless. Through all of these challenges, the Lord showed up and taught me these lessons.
My creator shaped me. When I came home from training camp, the Lord showed me ways to share the Good News and how to improve relationships. Ministry is not just on mission trips but in everyday life. God spoke to me about how I shouldn’t just keep this amazing gift of eternal life to myself, but to share it with people who don’t know Jesus and who need a savior. Missionaries are not just sharing God out of the country, but sharing him in our communities here. You can make a difference here too.
Last but not least, my heavenly father covered me in so much love. He told me that he cares for me even when I do not feel it. His truth trumps all my feelings. He tells me that all of my broken pieces are being used for his masterpiece. At training camp, I got to experience God’s kingdom at work by seeing praying, internal healing, worshiping, prophesizing, baptisms, words of encouragement, being in the body of Christ, testimonies, sermons, daily devotions, and more amazing moments. There is so much more that God has to reveal to me, and I can’t wait to tell you guys! Training camp was a realization that in less than two months I will be on the field! If you want to hear more about my trip, subscribe for updates!!!
