Training Camp (Week One)

Week one… so crazy that I’m now walking in this journey that the Lord has been preparing me for. Knowing that this will be my life for 9 months is hard, I won’t lie. There are moments when I question myself, wondering if I can do this and if the Lord is truly leading me here. Times I want to give up… to give in to those lies the enemy is telling me. But I am reminded that I’m not here to be comfortable in my old life. I’m not here to be stagnant in my walk with the Lord. I’m not here for me… I’m here for God because He has called me to this. So yes that might be having to be hot and sweaty at all hours of the day. Or experiencing a lot of hunger from a lack of food. Or even drinking water that’s room-temperature and tastes like it’s from the hose. But somehow, when I think of all these things, I’m still so grateful to be here. The lies and even the truths don’t measure up to the goodness of the Lord in and through it all. Even in hunger the Lord has kept me satisfied. The water has made me grateful I have something to keep my body cool in the heat. Through it all, I am still finding ways to have joy. I can’t even explain it because it doesn’t make sense to me, but despite all the fear, lies, and hard truths of this experience… there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here, saying yes and serving the Lord. I think if it wasn’t so hard I wouldn’t feel so grateful for these things… because I know… it is only going to get worse! And still I want to find joy in those times too. Who knows? The water may taste worse… the hunger might increase… the heat might become more unbearable… but one thing remains the same. God is still God. He is still good. And His love for me will never change. Even if I did give up He would still have so much grace for me. So let the enemy bring it all on because I want to do this fully for the Lord. No matter what I go through I know He will walk alongside me in it and be all the strength I need.

My days so far have been filled with teaching, growth, and training for the experience ahead. We have two sessions every day, lots of worship, breakout groups with our teams, and team prayer. I’ve gotten to know my team quickly through fun bonding exercises and cultural days, where we practice different ways of dressing, eating, and interacting. For sleep, I’ve been in my tent, and a big praise is that I’ve slept so well every night! At night, it cools down, and the ground feels so comfortable to lie on—I don’t know how, but I’ve truly never slept better in my life!

An update on my fundraising- I’m at 83% praise God! I’m feeling so lucky and grateful that the Lord has provided for me in so many ways with this trip. You all have truly been a blessing! If you still feel led to give I would be so grateful as I do need to be fully funded by December, but I ask you prayerfully consider it because I know the sacrifice it is to give. Regardless I am grateful for however you’re supporting me through this journey!

All in all, I’m feeling good and super motivated to walk this path the Lord has set before me! Right now it feels like an uphill battle, but I will continue to press on. God has been so good to me in this time, and truly revealed so much of Himself to me. I can’t wait to see all He has in store during the rest of my time here. I know there will still be moments I find it hard to see joy but I pray that the Lord will always bring me back to it.

Continue to keep me in your prayers as I walk this road. I am so grateful for you all and how you’ve already been standing beside me in this! Until next week…