It’s been about a week since training camp has ended. For some reason, it has been so hard for me to process those 10 days, and put all of it to words. Life, for me, has been non stop. I feel like I have been going at a pace of about 100 mph since summer began. I do enjoy being busy and keeping myself entertained, but it makes it hard to rest and reflect on life, and what the Lord has been teaching me. So, this morning, I decided to make it a priority to stop! To rest, and TRY to reflect on training camp—-
So, training camp. Some words that come to mind when I think of it are: overwhelming, beautiful, challenging, tiresome, long, miraculous, and hot! We sleep in our tents, use port-a-potties, take bucket showers, eat really weird foods from different continents, and sit through hours upon hours of sessions. But, honestly, I would totally do it again. Because the Lord did so much. In me, and in those around me. It was such a cool thing to experience. I was surrounded by the most amazing, God-fearing people, I was getting to learn so much that I just don’t think I would have ever if it weren’t for training camp, and honestly the living situations weren’t all that bad. It for sure wasn’t glamorous or easy, and to be totally honest, at most times, I felt emotionally and physically drained. But, it was all so worth it.
Day one was when the lies started. That stuck with me most of training camp. Satan kept telling me I wasn’t enough, and I wasn’t worthy to be loved. And it was so hard to get past that. It was hard to remind myself the truth. It’s so much easier to give into those lies. But, I think that was one of the biggest things the Lord grew me in at training camp. He showed me who I truly am, and WHO’S I am. I learned that my feelings are not always trustworthy!!! A huge one. Those feelings of unworthiness and not being enough are not of God, and they are not Truth. I learned (or actually, I am STILL learning) to rely on Truth and reality, rather than that feeling I have in that moment. A really beautiful thing!
God showed me and taught me a lot throughout the entirety of training camp. Another big thing that I left with from training camp is to be more aware of my actions, my words, and my thoughts. To be aware if what I am doing or saying is of Jesus or if it is of Satan. A HUGE thing. I think in this American culture, we have twisted words from the Bible, and made up our own meaning and context about it to make it seem justifiable to our actions. Even as simple as unkind, or impatient behavior, we always find something to justify it with, when in reality, those personality traits are not of Jesus, AND also won’t lead people to Jesus. Something I have started asking myself is and I encourage you to also: “Do I look like Jesus, and will this lead people to Christ?”
Some other things I am learning:
1. We’re all called to be disciples, and our main focus of this life is to bring people to Christ. It’s as easy as loving with every ounce in you, sharing Jesus to someone in Walmart, stopping a stranger and asking to pray with them. I am learning that every place I am, and go is a ministry opportunity!
2. Look beyond our own point of view, and way of thinking. Welcome other cultures, or lifestyles into your own, and develop a relationship before anything else.
3. Going off that one, don’t pound people on the head with the Bible!!! Love them, and hear them!
4. Nothing in this life is about us. Live to spread the Good News, and make Jesus known. Get uncomfortable if it means a ministry opportunity. Not called to comfort!
5. Discomfort can look a lot of different ways, and you might find yourself in really weird, life-threatening, or challenging situations in order to share the Gospel. And it’s all okay.
There’s more, but I feel like those are the main things that really stood out to me. I pray to wholeheartedly and passionately live out all of these things, giving everything I have to make Him known. I ask for prayer as I am fixing to embark on this new journey of life (6 weeks until Launch!). Prayer for strength and protection from any spirit of evil! Prayer for my heart as this will be hard and come with a lot of discomfort, and especially during the times when I feel like this discomfort isn’t worth it!!! Prayer for my family, as this will be hard on them, not only me. And lastly, prayer for my entire squad! That we will be open and willing for whatever the Lord calls us to.
P.S. I have some cool news! I found out that for my first month on the field, my entire squad will be in Jeffrey’s Bay, SA. A cute little surf town. Not sure what ministry will look like, but I am hopeful and expectant!
P.P.S. I wanted to thank all of my supporters and prayer warriors for getting me this far! This life is so cool, and I will forever be undeserving. I have about $1,300 left to reach my goal of $16,600! I am setting a goal to be fully funded by the time of launch, if you will join me in praying for that! There are no limits for my God, so I am excited to see what He will do. Also- alongside the $16,600, I will need about $100-150 every month of the Race, so if you feel led to helping me out while on the field, just let me know! I feel so loved, and my heart is completely full!
