I have completed my first week at The Center for Global Action (CGA) and am now halfway through my second. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived in Gainesville, GA after a seven day road trip across 11 states, visiting friends, squad mates, and the occasional historical site to satisfy my inner history nerd.
Our first week was a backpacking trip through the woods of North Georgia and South Carolina. It wasn’t quite the trek up mountains that I was used to but there were other dangers that I were new such as poison ivy and diamondbacks. It was a time of getting to know one another, sharing stories and supporting one another along the trail.
The third day of the trip we were sent into the woods by ourselves to spend a 24 hours with God. I hate to admit it, but I have never had an entire day with zero distractions. No internet, no phone, no one to talk to nothing to do except gather firewood which took all of ten minutes. I was very grateful for this time and came with an agenda. I had an entire list of things that I needed to work through. I had so many things that I wanted God to fix. Halfway through my list I felt startled into silence just as if someone had spoken, but I didn’t hear anything. Then I could feel this stillness in my soul…”Caitlin, just be. Just be with me. You don’t have to fix all of these issues to be with me. Just come as you are.”
So that is what I did. I sat on the riverbank just being in God’s presence, and that was enough. That is all I needed. It was so simple, almost too simple. I could feel my body filling up with peace that hushed the anxieties I have felt over the last few months worrying about what I should do with my life and how I was going to pay for it all and wondering what was God’s plan for me and what would happen if I failed.
I think God lets us to decide how much of His presence we allow into our lives. I often let all of the other things in life get so loud that I can’t hear what is most important. God wants us right where we are just how we are to come to him and just be. Just be His.
It was one of the best days I have had in a long time. Then it was night and I stayed awake in my tent thinking about the movie ‘Into the Wild’ and how that guy went into the wilderness to find himself and just ended up dying instead.
But I didn’t die, despite every noise sounding like a bear or a panther or a rattlesnake. I have started classes this week and next week I will begin working in the Adventures in Missions office so stay tuned!
I am here because I want to do great things...crazy things. I want my life to be lived on purpose with a purpose. I know some things about myself, but still have a lot to learn. This time is simply to build a platform for what is next. It is a time of preparation for a time of action. Just being and learning is a challenge for me. My favorite part, the doing, will come later but for now I will keep soaking up God’s peace in this truly unique community and experience.
If you would like to be a part of this time in my life, I am still working for a mission organization and have several specific needs that I would appreciate prayer for or your partnership in giving. I will be raising an additional $250 a month (after room/board, tuition, and food) to pay for gas, car insurance and possibly medical insurance (depending on how much I am able to fundraise). I am currently here through December but who knows where this will lead? I am humbled and grateful that I cannot do this on my own because it allows me to share this experience with all of you!
If you would like to donate: You can click the “support me” button on the top left of this page or mail a check to P.O. Box 742570 Atlanta, GA 30374 made out to Adventures in Missions – Staff with my name in the memo. You can make a one-time donation or a monthly donation. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I know I am not alone in this!
