On the last day of our Training Camp the staff handed out Seth Barnes book called “Kingdom Journeys”. Spoiler Alert, it talks about how a physical journey can reinvent and renew our spiritual journey with God. Now, I may only be halfway through the book but I am even more convinced that this is where God has called me.
People have already started to ask what I did these last two weeks, it’s hard to explain and put it into words, and honestly I don’t believe my writing can do it justice. I just feel the need to encourage you to step out in faith, where ever you are and allow God to use you in ways you never imagined. The only way you may trust that opinion above is through my story, which I am all to willing to share.
For these past two weeks I have been sleeping under the stars, taking bucket showers,eating different food from around the world, turning 47 strangers into family and worshiping a God who’s name I see now as Daddy.
Some of my favorite memories:
-Walking into the Atlanta Airport atrium and seeing 150 people in circles with their hiking packs scattered about. (Silently being thankful that I wasn’t the only one who had the crazy idea to leave life and do the WR)
-Bucket showers. Because what girl doesn’t enjoy dumping cold water on themselves along with her 8 stranger friends.
-Having my mattress pad pop on the second night. If that wouldn’t have happened, I wouldn’t have experienced sleeping under the stars or waking up to wonderful sunrises, both of which God created! HUGE shout out to Julia for lending me her Eno for the remaining of Training Camp!! Love you girl!
-Girls Retreat. God did some amazing things in all of our hearts those 2 days. Personally, He helped me walk through a lot of pain that others have caused me, I was holding onto unforgiveness that I needed to give to the Lord.
– Camp out with my Squad at the State Park. One of the girls on our squad was baptized in the lake! We were also able to worship and share around a fire while eating s’mores.(Thanks Dylan’s mom for the yummy treat!)
– Two mile hike. In normal circumstances I would not find this memory all that fun. BUT with these ladies, I would do it all over again! There was tons of laughter and great conversation. Our group will forever be known as “Turtle Blitz”
-Prayer night. Our leaders asked for us to give up a night for prayer, everyone had to participate but we could choose how we wanted it to work. We split into teams and decided each one would take an hour throughout the night to worship and pray over this next year. We spoke over one another and the people we would come in contact with, that God would be preparing their hearts.
Meet Team “Selah Vie!”
Throughout these two weeks our squad was split up into teams for “team builders”, the purpose was so that AIM Staff could fit and assign us to a group of 6 people that could use and build off each other to make a difference for the Kingdom.
On the left hand side of this page is a list of the women on my team, we were able to leave training and head into Gainsville, GA for some team bonding near the end of Camp. As I have gotten to know the hearts of these ladies I realize how blessed I truly am. I am looking forward to doing life and ministry with them!
Our first country is Uganda, we will be partnering with “Raising Up Hope For Uganda” located in the capital city of Kampala. This month will likely consist of doing slum outreaches, teaching children and daycare. Feel free to check out their website at http://raisinguphopeforuganda.org
Update:
Thank you to all of those who have partnered with me through prayer and financial donations! Here is where I currently stand in my fundraising, I am still standing in faith that I will leave fully funded!
$3,500- Due 6/12/2015
$10,000- Due 8/21/2015
$13,000- Due 10/31/2015
$16,267- Due 12/31/2015 (Only $3,361 until I am Fully Funded!)
Prayer Requests:
-Recently I have been thinking a lot about the fact that I will be leaving my family and friends behind for 11 months. Its a hard thing to process, because I thrive on those moments and events. I am really trying to make an effort to be present these last few weeks I am here. Would you pray that I would have enough time to spend with those people and are able to create some great memories before I leave?
-Please Join my team and I in prayer over the people we will be coming in contact with. Our hope is that Jesus reveals himself to each and every one of them.
– One of my squad mates, John Horton, was bitten by a brown recluse spider while at camp. He has a great testimony on his blog about how God used that situation as a teaching moment, although the worst part of being bitten is over please pray that his leg is healed before launch.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:18-19
Basking in His abundent grace,
Jessica Couture
