Here are some of my takeaways from Training Camp and the first few days in Nicaragua. Whether you’re a subscriber or future racer: Enjoy!
1) This year will not be what I expected
I’m still coming to deeper and deeper revelations of how true this is on the daily. The moment I think I’ve “got” whatever the next 11 months will be like, I’m shown again that I have no idea. Whether we’re rolling up to our ministry host at three in the morning on a travel day or going out on the streets of Granada to give out bottles of water using broken Spanish, or waking up to construction literally right outside the window at 6:00am, there are so many little things that show me this experience will be unlike any I’ve had before. I knew that coming in, but now I FEEL it and I see it. It’s mostly exciting – and a little nerve-wracking, not gonna lie.
2) A muddy tent is better than 90 degree days
It was raining when we got to training camp and had to set up our tents. EVERYONE’S tent got a little wet, and muddy underneath, which means the floor was slightly damp and the air inside was moist (I feel like I wanna say moist again, for some people. Love ya ?). The nights at TC were in the low 60s, which was very foreign in June for this Florida girl! I had to break out my sleeping bag at night! Again, not what I was expecting. But, when those temperatures started rising the last couple days of camp, I realized how grateful I was for that weather. I’d take rain again any day! Just goes to show, unexpected =/= bad
3) Eternal life is to KNOW Christ
God is so good, because he was working with me on this even before training camp as I read John 14. His disciples had been with Jesus three years, and Jesus still asked Phillip, “Don’t you know me by now?” I can just imagine the sadness in his voice as he asked. Knowing Christ encompasses so much more than calling him Savior: it’s about receiving his love as well. You may be like me, thinking, ‘of course I receive His love!” – but I would challenge you, as I have been challenged, to sit on that a minute. Are you receiving all of his love or just some? Do you rest in his goodness, or is there a part of you that says if you don’t work enough he won’t love you as much?
I can know Jesus all day, but unless I get to know him intimately – searching the depth and the riches of his love and mercy and fully embracing his unconditional love for me as his daughter – I don’t really know him. I’ll wrap this bit up by simply saying, I cant wait to know him more and more these next 11 months.
4) Don’t pack those jeans
My route is in mostly hot and humid places. Before TC, I heard over and over to just wear what you would normally wear in that kind of weather. This Florida girl just assumed that Jean’s would be ok, because they’d be alright at home. Listen, if you’re a racer about to launch, let me just tell you that Jean’s in Central America when it’s hot are NOT going to work. I so regret them and I’m already searching for more lightweight pants and shorts to wear.
5) We’ve gotta buy into Community
I took a bit of a back seat the first couple weeks at training camp. Remember, I’m “not a people person!” Haha But, honestly, I did let my apprehensions of meeting new people keep me from fully engaging with everyone. If I regret anything so far that would be it, because my squad is full to the brim of the kindest, most caring, wackiest, most helpful people I’ve ever met.
AIM (Adventures in Missions) has a model of how they want community to work. It involves being vulnerable, giving and receiving feedback, and really models relying on each other in all things. It is so beautiful and I hope to write another blog on it as I start to understand it more and more. But, even though I’m away from my family and friends and miss the love from them and the ease there was, I know that I am gonna grow so close to these people as the months go on.
All things considered, these last couple weeks have been amazing! I have met wonderful people and sat under great teaching. I’ll talk more about our ministry at Reap: Granada in another blog!
Y’all, I only have about $5,500 left to raise! Please pray and consider if God is calling you to donate. And pray for. Y squad as we continue to serve the people of Granda, our ministry hosts, and each other!
Love y’all!
