Training Camp in a nutshell: I took two showers in 10 days, but I’ve never felt so clean.
Missionary Boot Camp is the best way to describe it. Let me break it down for you: Food, worship, session, sleep. Food, worship, session, sleep. REPEAT.
+fellowship and fun.
Training camp was grueling. I won’t lie. It stretched me mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Several difficult scenarios we could potentially encounter on the field were thrown at us during camp. Here are some examples:
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Half the squad “lost their luggage” (I was one of them.) We had to buddy up and make do.
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We were given team $ and sent into a foreign marketplace to buy dinner – Bartering, pick-pocketing and beggars included.
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Imagine staying in a hostel with 40 of your closest friends and family in one room. Let’s just say personal space was not an option.
It poured the first seven days, which made for musty shoes, tents and clothes. Showers consisted of buckets, cold water and metal stalls. Porta-potties became my best friend and only option. Also, I finished a fitness hike of 2.2 miles in 30 minutes, complete with gravel, mud and hills.
Each day we were required to abide by the cultural norms of various countries. We ate weird food, wore weird clothes and followed weird rules. But, guess what? I SURVIVED. Better yet, I THRIVED.
I write all this not to complain, but to preface how my mind and heart were transformed during camp through both challenges and abundant grace.
I was washed clean of sin, doubt, anger, fear, anxiety and confusion. I found the cornerstone and clung to Him. I also clung to 38 incredible, brave humans who are infused with Jesus. I am overjoyed to call each of them a sibling in Christ and I’m even more excited to do life with them over the next year.
Squad X and Adventures in Missions revealed to me many gifts Jesus provides His followers. I learned of different stories and paths. I grew to love like minded individuals with totally different backgrounds. My connections stretch near and far and I forever have a strong support system webbed across the country. We laughed together, cried together, danced together, prayed together and lived together. We drew closer to God, shared testimonies and heard from the Holy Spirit. We broke chains and rid ourselves of bondage. My eyes are wide open and I see the abounding opportunities to seek Jesus all around me.
Bottom line: Camp was crazy, camp was wild and camp was full of community.
3 fun things I will leave you with…
– We were assigned our first teams!!! Throughout the year, our teams will change. But, I will spend the first few months with these five beautifully unique and strong women. I love them already.
– We have a route change! Instead of 11 countries in 11 months, we will now minister in 12 countries in 11 months!
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South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina
– I was invited to be one of two Worship Coordinators for the X Squad. I will help cultivate a heart of worship within our teams, orchestrate worship within my individual team and delegate worship duties for each squad debrief. (Confusing, I know.)
Thank you all for the love and support. To the ends of the earth I will chase after His goodness. My heart is on fire for the kingdom. Aug. 1 can’t come soon enough.
Much love,
Carley
