Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks.
Training camp/boot camp was definitely challenging and stretching for me in many ways. I survived the rain, mud, cold nights, early mornings exercises, sleeping in strange places, more rain, and smelly porter potties. It is nice to be back to flushing toilets, 2-ply toilet paper, regular size portions of food, easily accessible running water, and hot showers. Though I was so ready to come back to the many things I missed about my American lifestyle, I would be remised if we didn’t say that the week of training camp hadn’t changed us, it definitely has.
My view on how to approach this mission experience has drastically changed. Before I saw this as an opportunity to go and serve and love God’s people in cool places for a year. While this is true, it is so much more than that. How can we do God’s work without fully inviting the Holy Spirit into our ministry? While this seems like a no brainer, this week has taught me a new way of doing this. Inviting the Holy Spirit to guide my ministry is essential. I do not have much experience with the practice of healing and prophecy in my daily Christian life. In many ways it seems like prophecy and healing are limited to Biblical times. These things are very real today. Also, the idea of demons roaming the earth and possessing people is something I do not have much exposure to. I now have a better understanding of the spiritual warfare that is ever present in our world. So now instead of “going and doing” out of my own ambition, I plan to invite the Holy Spirit to guide my ministry in almost every way.
I know this will be difficult year not only because we will be living in third world conditions, but because of the intentionality of this discipleship program. Living in intentional community, being vulnerable, sharing my struggles, and being broken and exposed are all scary things; but the beauty of healing that will follow is like none other. Pray that I will allow myself to be vulnerable for the purpose of being healed. I tend to hold things in deal with it on my own strength; how much better would it be to have true healing in the many dark areas of my heart that has walls built up so high that light barely shines through. I am very exceeded to start this journey. I know the Lord has amazing things in store for me, my husband, and my team this next year. I know I won’t come back from this experience the same person. In some ways it is very scary to give up the comforts of my ways of life, but I know what God has in mind for me is so much better than anything I could dream up.
This trip is definitely getting more real now. Today we moved out of our duplex apartment and into Rick’s parent’s house. This is all in preparation for our trip. Most of our stuff has been placed in a storage unit and we will be staying in Rick’s old bedroom. Thanks to everyone who helped us move today! We couldn’t have done it without you!
Our new address is 7358 Shadyview Ave. NW, Massillon, OH 44646.
