Because
training camp is about preparing us for the World Race we have been
operating each day without knowledge of what we will be called to do next.
Everyday we learn about a new country or region and observe their
customs and meals. While engaging in Indian culture we could only use
our right hands to sop up curry, lentils and pieces of chicken without
the aid of utensils. “In� Eastern Europe we could only use our left
hand to hold our forks and had to keep our wrists on or above the
table. And in Africa us women had to first serve the men at their
tables and then eat our food on the floor and finished up the meal by
cleaning up after ourselves and the men. Wow.
training camp is about preparing us for the World Race we have been
operating each day without knowledge of what we will be called to do next.
Everyday we learn about a new country or region and observe their
customs and meals. While engaging in Indian culture we could only use
our right hands to sop up curry, lentils and pieces of chicken without
the aid of utensils. “In� Eastern Europe we could only use our left
hand to hold our forks and had to keep our wrists on or above the
table. And in Africa us women had to first serve the men at their
tables and then eat our food on the floor and finished up the meal by
cleaning up after ourselves and the men. Wow.
I usually think of bittersweet coming of age stories for teenagers when
I think of camp. But so much
has been changing, growing and blossoming
here. The most touching experience by far was hiking to a site and
camping under the stars. When I say “camp under the stars� I mean no
tents kind of camping under the stars. I mean scaring deer when you
trek deep into the woods to pee because there are no
here. The most touching experience by far was hiking to a site and
camping under the stars. When I say “camp under the stars� I mean no
tents kind of camping under the stars. I mean scaring deer when you
trek deep into the woods to pee because there are no
bathrooms,
kind of “camping�. My first reaction: not my thing. Sleeping on dirt,
washing my dishes and
kind of “camping�. My first reaction: not my thing. Sleeping on dirt,
washing my dishes and
self in a lake? No thanks.
But after the sun went down and we worshiped together we took turns
opening up about our
weaknesses, our fears, our joys and our hopes in
this life so far. One of the 20 guys on our squad of 70 stepped forward
and asked if the men could encircle the women and pray for us. He shared that earlier in
the day when the men and women were separated for an activity, the men
had made a covenant to us, their sisters, to defend and protect our
group as we traveled the world together. Then individually they prayed
over us. They declared the truth that the Lord spoke of us in His magnificent Word: that we are all princesses in the Kingdom of God,
that we are all so beautiful and perfect just the way we are because
the Lord made us perfectly. That there is nothing more beautiful than a
woman worshiping the Lord and though they are not our husbands they
would honor and cherish us.
this life so far. One of the 20 guys on our squad of 70 stepped forward
and asked if the men could encircle the women and pray for us. He shared that earlier in
the day when the men and women were separated for an activity, the men
had made a covenant to us, their sisters, to defend and protect our
group as we traveled the world together. Then individually they prayed
over us. They declared the truth that the Lord spoke of us in His magnificent Word: that we are all princesses in the Kingdom of God,
that we are all so beautiful and perfect just the way we are because
the Lord made us perfectly. That there is nothing more beautiful than a
woman worshiping the Lord and though they are not our husbands they
would honor and cherish us.
Huddled together all of us ladies cried and rejoiced over the
genuine love our brothers have for us.
We didn’t cry because a bunch of
men told us that we’re pretty but because we are genuinely appreciated,
apart from any physical beauty, for who we are: daughters of the Lord
most high.
men told us that we’re pretty but because we are genuinely appreciated,
apart from any physical beauty, for who we are: daughters of the Lord
most high.
I can only say that we are so blessed to have our brothers so
passionately supporting us. I have met my
new family that the Lord has
chosen and I have not ceased to be amazed by His works! And there is so
chosen and I have not ceased to be amazed by His works! And there is so
much more to come!
Stay tuned for the next blog: Spit in my face? Yes please!
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