Training camp ended last Saturday and I feel like I’m coming back home after being away for 3 months (so I can only imagine what 11 months is actually going to feel like). It was an intense, Jesus filled 10 days, meeting my 58 squad mates, using porta-potties, sleeping in tents, bucket showers, sweating constantly, hiking around Georgia, getting stained in red dirt, and learning how to play a part in having a kingdom journey. It got me more excited than ever to be traveling around the world to experience more of God, and show others about his love. I made a little video for those who want a glimpse into how training camp was for me!
* Disclaimer: I realize that my videos were shot vertical as opposed to horizontal, and mistakes were made. Please do not judge me, I will acknowledge my bad, and fix it in the future. 🙂
Training camp made life real, like really real. I am actually doing this. I am actually going to be leaving behind most of my comforts to travel around the world for 11 months with 58 people I just met a week ago. I am going to have to eat food I normally never would, I’m going to be living in places with strange bugs, I’m going to be constantly sweaty, I’m going to be out of my comfort zone most of the time, but, I’m also going to be loving God’s people, showing them his radical grace, and in the process encountering him in a new and crazy way. That’s what training camp showed me, that’s what made it real, and that’s why I’m so excited to go.
During camp, I had to face one of my biggest struggles, not believing I have gifts worth sharing. I have a hard time acknowledging my ability to be good at things, because I feel like if I’m not the best than I can’t claim to have that gift. It’s a lie the devil has been telling me for years, that I can’t do big things because I don’t have any gifts worth using. Sure, I might be good at organizing, or keeping lists, but how is that even a gift? During camp one of the biggest things that struck me was when they told us, “Don’t rob the kingdom of your gift”, you have something to give to your squad and the Lord. I had a breakthrough and for once understood that when the devil is feeding me these lies, it isn’t just affecting me, but it is affecting the people I’m with, and the people God wants me to minister too. My gifts are worth sharing, and God has a plan for me. He created me with all my abilities (or lack thereof) and I’m perfect in that. So I’m going to step out boldly in my gifts, and I’m going to use them for his kingdom, I can’t wait to see what happens.
Much love!
