I survived training camp (by the grace of God)!!
I survived sleeping in a tent, a hammock, on the ground, and a couple other places. I survived bucket showers and port-a-potties. I survived workouts every morning and a 2 mile hike with my 50 pound pack. I survived multiple different foods of (very very) small portions. I survived 24/7 community, like seriously I was barely alone when I went to the restroom.
But you see that’s not even the biggest part of what I experienced at training camp. I experienced the Holy Spirit, for real.
Once I got to training camp I realized that I had prepared myself for all the physical and social aspects of training, but that I never prepared myself for the spiritual aspects. I wasn’t ready for the Holy Spirit to show up like He did in my life.
I was in no way shape or form expecting to come home different after only being gone for 10 days.
During one of the first nights of worship at training camp I was praying and God gave me the word “celebration”. At that point I had no idea what God meant by that. I thought to myself, what could I possibly be celebrating? I’m sweaty, dirty, tired, and hungry.
After a few days meditating on that word and being open to receive the Holy Spirit, I realized what I was celebrating. I was celebrating the freedom Christ was continually giving me throughout training camp. Plus He gave me almost 50 brothers and sisters to celebrate it with!
I’ve never found myself being a person who celebrated community. I love people, but I also love getting away from people. But at training camp I was never so obsessed with the community I had. Let me tell y’all, every single person on my squad is a rockstar.
Within this squad God gave me the safest place I have ever had. During those 10 days I never once felt like I couldn’t be the person God made me to be. I never felt like I had to put up walls or barriers, I felt completely broken but also completely joyful within this community. It is such a beautiful thing to be constantly surrounded by brothers and sisters who understand and pray with you. On a real note, I have never prayed like I did at training camp.
I am truly celebrating now because of how confident I am in saying,
“I am a child of God, free from everything that once held me back, free to be me, free to live out the calling the Holy Spirit has placed on my life!!!!”
Boy, am I excited for what God is gonna do in my life for the next 10 months after all He did in only 10 days!!
Love and blessings,
Gabbi 🙂
P.S. Introducing Team BintiBean!!!! These are the 6 ladies I will be doing teaching ministry in public schools in Antigua, Guatemala for the first 3 months with!!
