I am at a loss of words for what God did at training camp last week.
Most of you know this was round 2 for me.
And for those who have gone through training camp or have heard anyone explain training camp, know that it is not something you want to do twice.
At least that was my attitude going into it.
Remembering the sleepless nights, sweaty days, stinky feet, exhausting sleeping arrangements, minimal food, entry level convos (aka getting to know all new people), thinking you have it together, but you don’t, being challenged spiritually, emotionally and physically…
God knew I was not loving the idea of a repeat and neither was He.
God is creative. He is not interested in doing the same thing twice.
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
He told me He had redemption and blessing in store. Going into camp I didn’t see how it could be possible. Maybe more food? Sleeping in cabins? (haha- that was not the case). What He did have in store was more than I could have imagined.
Day 1- Meet co-squad leaders (Renee Durham & Steven Reed- what a team, what a blessing) and training team (Talia Bunting, Hannah Olsen, Carrie Hokanson, Nathan Dickens, Holland Cox- so much fun and so encouraging). We quickly adapted to each others fun quirkiness which set the stage for a super energetic and fun filled week.
Day 2- Airport pick up! It was such a fun energy getting to meet everyone. Already God was beginning to take away my skepticism.
Day 3 – 9 Get to know the squad and get blown away by the amazing people God is allowing me to travel the world with come January.
P squad lives outside themselves- selflessly speaks life over one another, prays for one another without worrying, “how it looks,” they stop what they are doing to lay their hands on one another (including me! And wow I received healing for my sore throat). They seek God for everything and give love in so many ways. My 3rd night with P squad, all I could think was, ‘Thank you Father. Thank you Jesus for these people.’ I was LOST for words.
Needless to say the redemption came like a tsunami wave. There was no stopping it. Prayer whenever necessary, encouraging words, friendly hugs, sharing tents and Eno hammocks, blessing beyond blessing.
P squad is a squad of love, power, prayer, selflessness, high preference, fun and blessing.
All week I heard how awesome P Squad was. So true and its not because of me or anything I was doing. Its all God, what they carry and the way they love and serve Him. The love of the Father is all over them. And through them I received the richness of His love.
What a reminder of how impactful our lives are in this world. How our actions and words point to what we believe. I have to stop and ask… what is my life pointing to? What is your life pointing to?
James 2:18-24 ”Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the alter [this was a test- God never had it in mind for him to actually sacrifice his son- later God would sacrifice his own son Yeshua/Jesus, but in Gen 22:13 we see that God provided a ram for that time]? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” And he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
God definitely came through on His promise. Camp was redeemed and I was so blessed throughout the week.
I know that camp was just the beginning of the amazing things God has in store for P Squad.
THANK YOU P – I love you all! Thank you for making my week THE JAM!
