A few weeks ago I went to a 10 day training camp for my upcoming mission trip. During this time a few hundred people like myself were all being prepared for almost anything that could go wrong during our 9 months on the field. It was a time for learning, growing, and loving. I walked away from camp with a dirty tent, 40 new friends, and a freed heart. Training camp allowed growth in me and my team in tons of ways, but there are two I’d like to share.
1. Discipline. It was 10 days filled with intense learning, discipleship, heat, unsanitary living conditions, body odor, and sharing a serving of 3 between 8 people I just met. Here’s what I learned; you can’t get through that without Jesus. Besides one or two nights that I slept alone, I spend a total of two hours alone during the entire ten days. I AM AN INTROVERT. Thankfully God gave me the strength to not only socialize constantly, but also to give numerous piggy back rides up a dirt hill in hundred degree weather multiple times (because teammates had “passed out” in a simulation). Surrendering my thoughts and my actions to the Lord at all times was a practice I submitted myself to, and found freedom in during my 10 days at training camp. Which brings me to…
2. Freedom. Oh my goodness. I hated dancing. My biggest fear going into training camp was having to meet a bunch of new people, but after hearing rumors how much darn dancing everyone does there, my fears increased with the thought of having to dance in front of my new friends. That being said, I’ve always had a craving to dance for Jesus. I admire people that worship while flailing their arms and allowing their whole body to get into it, but I’ve never had the selflessness to do it. But after having 30 plus people pray over me to have the ability to let my wall down and not feel “stuck”… boy, was I able to dance for God. I could be present in the moment of worshipping the God of the universe with three-hudred strangers who also loved him with their whole hearts. It was amazing to sing and dance and laugh with a bunch of people who didn’t care if one of us hadn’t showered for a week, who are humble enough to share literally EVERYTHING, and who allow the freedom to just be.
I am so thankful that through this experience I was able to look at the person I have been, evaluate the person I am now, and aspire to become the person I want to be. I absolutely cannot wait to see what God continues to do through my team and myself.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
