hello all!!!!
For starters, I highly recommend you look up the song: Head to the Heart by United Pursuit. Either before reading this or immediately after. That better describes how I’m feeling right now.
Now, Training Camp..
How do I even begin to describe to you the liberation that I have felt and received there and it’s not because of the people, though they were beyond awesome and taught me SO MUCH. It is because of the Man that I love, my poppa, my God, our Father. I was given the opportunity to focus on my relationship with Him without distraction and the Joy fills me so much that I am overflowing.
here’s a go:
I was surrounded and encouraged by the most loving, compassionate and kindest people that I could never fathom encountering unless through God. AND NO I’m not exaggerating and I’m not trying to make it sound all lovey dovey to cover the truth. This is it. I could not ask for a better squad/team to begin this journey with. I confronted things that I didn’t know I needed and i did with things I know God was working on me in. The end result: Unashamed. The word that God has spoke over me repeatedly and the word that has confirmed my freedom. My chains are gone and I’m not bound by past decisions and a past life that I’ve lived. I am me, past present and future but I have realized that I’m not defined by that. God loves me anyways, and there’s power in that. There’s freedom in that.
So what was training camp like?
Exhausting
Emotional
Open
Loving
Uncomfortable
Beautiful
Necessary
Bittersweet
Powerful
And so many other words that I’m too tired to think of! I have became open to sharing my testimony which is something I have always struggled with. I have also been given the funniest, craziest, adventurous squad and team to do life with!
My Team: Luis, our team leader, the most open-minded, positive, natural born leader that I am happy to serve with.
Caleb, the funny guy. The one that carries the brightest smile I’ve ever seen. His gentleness and willingness to learn is something I admire deeply.
(He was also selected to be our squads Unsung heroes coordinator which I am overwhelmed with joy for him in that! Congrats Caleb!)
Cal, a man that carries peace in his spirit and it takes over you when he talks. He doesn’t say too much but when he does… WOW. It’ll blow you away with the power behind his words.
Dara, someone I admire for her ability to be vulnerable and open with her struggles and someone that has the best dance moves I’ve seen!! I cannot wait to connect deeper with her as we progress.
Darlin, one of the most faithful followers I have came across. She speaks with so much authority over herself and her team. I am honored to be able to learn from her. She also is the quickest packer I’ve ever met in my entire life so that’s a plus. Haha
This is the team I get to begin this journey with and I am so humbled and honored to receive such a calling as this. To live missionally. To be a missionary. To spread Gods love to the nations. My heart is overflowing in thankfulness and passion and I pray that God receives all the glory and for us to never forget that’s what and who we are doing this for.
SN: I have received the honor of being the Beauty for Ashes squad coordinator, which is specializing in Women’s Ministry, throughout the entire trip. Where my heart is. As I learn more, I will definitely be sharing more.
Also, requesting prayer to stay focused on God and to be in tune with His voice at all times. Pray that I fulfill my calling: To live missionally. Here, there and everywhere.
I love you all. Thank you so very much for choosing to be a part of this and for investing into Gods Kingdom. He called you just as much as He called me.
Also, please don’t get me wrong. Sleeping in a tent, losing packs and having to share as a simulation during one of the coldest nights, using porta-potties, only drinking water ONLY for ten days (which isn’t bad whatsoever and I was happy to do so but ya know we love our options), eating food that I don’t care to never see again(bowl of crickets, anyone?) sharing things I thought I’d never share, and meeting 55 strangers all at once plus some was not comfortable in any form but it was worth every bit of it. it was worth everycold night we experienced. Every purple toe due to my forgetting tennis shoes, and the rank smell seeping from the “bathrooms” and the cold bucket showers that never seemed to do the body justice. I’d do it all again for every late night conversations consisting of stories, love, laughter. For the breakthroughs that I witnessed and that I had myself. FOR MY SQUAD, that I love I’d do it over 100x times over.
