For the past 10 days, I have been camping in the beautiful woods of White, GA. I got to meet all my teammates (52 of us in all) and the squad that leaves in July was also there (78 of them in all), so I got to know some of them too. This week was both intense and incredible. The rustic conditions were hard – it was my first time camping in a tent and I was introduced to species of spiders I didn’t even know exsisted! We ate on $4 a day for food, since thats about what we will have on our trip. The food was themed each day (Africa day, Asia day, Europe day, etc.) and some was pretty hard to swallow. For Asia breakfast, we had a bowl of water with a little rice in the bottem, and whole sardines floating around. With eyeballs and fins and all! My stomach was definitly stretched, as in most cultures, its offensive not to eat whats given to you.
Anyways, I am so excited to share what God did in my heart this past week! The worship time we had was so amazing; I was truely seeking Him with all my heart. Sometimes that would come out in a burst of song, prayer, or dance. Beckoning Him to come, just simply come! And as Luke 11:9 says “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” His Presence was undeniable in that place as His children begged Him to come! I had never experienced worship quite like that, and I had never felt closer to my Savior than that night. He is so real, and longs to be active in us through us; all we have to do is ask Him and offer ourselves. Thats something that I never quite understood until this night. I used to think He would show up where He wanted, and we didn’t really have anything to do with that. But woah, I was proved wrong and I’m so glad for that! We as His children have such power in Him.
Something super fun about training camp was meeting my team! I already miss them! I was so relieved to meet them, and see how real they are. Most of us share the same worries, fears, and doubts, and it was just comforting to know that these people, like me, don’t have it all together. We all just want to follow God in how He’s called us to serve. While I LOVE my whole June Squad, I got to know 5 people particularly well. These people make up my small team! I’ll be traveling with the whole group of 52, but doing daily activities with the 5 people on my small team. Our team name is UMOJA – which is “Unity” in Swahilli 🙂 Our theme verse is: Ephesians 3:20-4:3 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have recieved. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” We hope this verse will define our team and how we live out our year together. Here are the links to my UMOJA teammates, if you guys want to check them out and get to know them a little bit:
www.nathansalley.theworldrace.org
www.ashleyrose.theworldrace.org
www.alissarich.theworldrace.org
www.angelamurray.theworldrace.org
www.tylersamuelson.theworldrace.org
www.kristippett.theworldrace.org (mine)
One thing that I wasn’t expecting this week was to find out that my route had changed. Just to remind you, this was my old route: Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, Israel, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Ask the Lord Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Ask the Lord Asia. And this is the new route: Romania, Ukraine, Ireland, Kenya, Uganda, Ask the Lord Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemaula, Nicaragua, Ask the Lord Central America. Israel and Egpyt were taken out because of safety and financial reasons, and instead we are venturing to Central America! While I wasn’t expecting this, I’m so pumped because God is leading us and this must be where He wants us to go.
Our official launch date is June 16th! We will be flying to Romania out of the JFK airport in NY. Right now in my support account, I have $5,382, and know of about $600 more on the way. But other than that, I am not sure how the rest of the money will be coming in. Please keep this aspect of the trip in your prayers! I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all of you guys, who have shown me so much support through encouragement, prayers, and financial donations, this whole journey through.
“God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 (msg)
