Today is the second full day of training camp. I feel good today. Yesterday, I was feeling broken, lost and unworthy. I felt out of place – not within my team (they're awesome) but spiritually. I've never seen people speak in tongues; I've never seen people "healed"; I've never seen people falling over worshiping God. To say that I have shattered my personal comfort zone would be an understatement. Yesterday I was ready to pack up and leave. But then I thought of a story. I thought about my Dad. When I was younger, I was TERRIFIED of roller coasters – wouldn't get near them. So one day I was at Six Flags with my Dad and brothers, and my Dad told me to step out of my comfort zone. I had never heard that saying before. So I mustered up the guts and boarded the ride. I loved it! I couldn't get enough. I rode it over and over again. Roller coasters and extreme rides became one of my favorite pastimes. But I would have never realized that if my dad hadn't pushed me a bit. I feel like God is pushing me now. I think if I keep exploring and breaking down my comfort zone, that I might come to realize that I love this. That I love ministry and experiencing worship is charismatic ways. Just because my personal church doesn't worship like this, doesn't mean that it's not as "good". And when we travel to Africa and Asia, chances are they worship in different, enthusiastic ways as well. And now I can't wait.
Yesterday they stole half of our team's bags and tents. Apparently on the race, luggage gets lost often, so this was a test. We had to bunk up and share our supplies and basically, make it work. I thought it was an awesome test because it enabled us to bond with new teammates. My teammate, Stephanie shared my tent. She's awesome – really funny and from Georgia! Whoo hoo. We started talking last night and we discovered that we both felt the same way – lost, out of place and full of doubt. It was comforting to know I wasn't the only one feeling this way.
Oh, after "Asia Day" we had Central America day. It was AMAZING. Tostados, rice, beans, enchiladas type thing. Awesome. Lot's of vegetarian options. Of course, I'm still starving. There hasn't been a moment sense I arrived that I felt full (my friend, Yun Mi would die :)). But this is an awesome test for us because chances are, on the race, we won't have access to large portions of food.
Here's a picture of us hiking with our packs to Toccoa Falls. You have no idea how heavy those packs are!!
One other thing… we talked about healing in lecture and it totally freaked me out. I have never seen anyone be healed nor have I really heard about. Andy Stanley doesn't place his hands on people and "heal" them – so understanding this process was another little step outside my diminishing comfort zone. Anyone have thoughts on divine healing?? If so, post them!!
