Where do I even begin? The past 10 days of training camp have been crazy to say the least. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, filled with so much joy and have been reminded of how good the Lord is. I learned so much about listening to the Lord, living in community and learning to love giving up my first world comforts for a greater purpose. There were moments when I found myself questioning the Lord’s purpose and wanting to return to familiar faces. But along with those hard moments, were moments filled with awesome new friends, sweet times with the Lord and so much growth in preparing for these next 9 months. Throughout the highs and lows the Lord remained faithful. Truly, I could not have asked for a better training camp.
Just a few side notes about training camp, we stayed in tents (camped basically), used porta potties and had 8 cold buckets shower stalls for 200 girls but don’t worry I’m not complaining because quite honestly cold showers were the bomb on hot days 🙂 Anyways, everyday at training camp we would get up around 6:30am. Then get ready to have morning devotions with your team at 7:30. This was a time to grow with your team and together seek after the Lord. It truly was such an amazing way to start the day. Next was breakfast. Now I should tell you that each day at training camp we would be assigned a country or continent. We had to adhere to their customs and dress code along with eating their foods. On some days this was amazing, being able to try new foods ( I EVEN ATE A CRICKET!!) and experience culture, on other days.. lets just say I could’ve really used a burger. But all in all it was great. After breakfast we headed to morning session where we would have one or two speakers bring the teaching. Then lunch. Then afternoon session, followed by team time. During team time you would get the chance to be raw, be vulnerable and open up to your team. This was kind of hard at first considering we hardly knew each other, but as soon as we started to grow closer we were able to truly bond together. After team time we would have a break then head to dinner. Following dinner was worship and a sermon. Worship was one of my favorite things at camp because it was like looking out at the children God, all worshiping their Father together. It looked a lot like what I think heaven will look like. Often times after the night session all the squads would get together somewhere on campus and share testimonies, have spontaneous worship and pray together. By 11:00 we were all wiped so that was the end of the day. It was long and tiring but ever so fulfilling. The first few days of it was challenging but now that Im back home, I really miss it. Like a lot. The people, the tents.. and yes.. even the porta potties.
Among the many things I learned at training, one of the biggest things was community. How to love my brothers and sisters in Christ unconditionally. At first spending 24/7 with 42 people you don’t know for 10 days was super overwhelming. But gradually I got to know each one of those 42 people! and now I can’t imagine my life without them! Through growing alongside them in knowing the Lord and seeking after Him together, these people became my people. Their hearts thirst after the Lord and our brave enough to obey His calling to their life. Each one of these 42 people I have such a deep friendship with because it is founded in the Lord. Over training camp, we as a squad learned how to love each other, how to serve one another and how to encourage each other when one of us is low. During the 10 days these 42 people have become my family. I am so thankful to the Lord for them!
Along with meeting my squad I got to meet and spend time with my team a lot this week. There’s David, Tamara, Luke, Gwyn, Elijah and Nick. I am so excited to start this journey with them! Our team name is “Aslan’s Army.” This name originated with the book series by C.S. Lewis “The Chronicles of Narnia.” We chose it because in the book, many of you know, Aslan portrays God. And at a certain part of the book/ movie Aslan’s people are referred to as His army. My team and I want to be the Lords army, set out on a mission to make His name known, to plant seeds and to glorify Him. Throughout this week we have learned and lived out the meaning of community in such a new way. There has been testing but with testing there is growth. Each day at training camp we got to learn from our mentor, vital lessons for the field that will serve us in such a big way. I am so confident that each person on my team has something to add to our dynamic as a team and that the Lord will work through each one of us for His glory!
Perhaps the best thing at camp was the sweet moments with the Lord. In the early, peaceful hours of the morning, in the celebration with friends, in the moments of crying and pain, in worship and in prayer, He was there. To be honest that is what kept me going. When my physical energy was just depleted, the Lord filled me. Each day it was like having two conversations going on at the same time. One was with the Lord and the other was with the people around me. I have begun to learn (and am still learning) how to truly recognize the Lords voice, just as a sheep listens for His shepherd. My relationship with the Lord grew so much through these sweet and simple conversations. Also through learning to listen to the Lord more, the Lord began to speak to me about words He had for other people around me, most were for people I didn’t even know. It was so fulfilling to hear the back stories of those people and see the Lords faithfulness.
I could go on and on about training camp with tons of more details. But to sum it all up, this would be it. I’m not the greatest writer and to be honest on the field i’ll probably speak through pictures more often then not. But this was training camp. So many memories and so much love. About 270 something people, all there for the same reason. To plant seeds, to shout the Good News from the rooftops to all nations and give Him all the glory.
