Training Camp – One Year Later

A year ago today we actually started this journey. We met in Georgia with out packs stuffed to the brim with everything we thought we needed for this year. We piled into a couple of vans and tried to ease our nerves by making small talk as we headed towards Gainesville. 

We pulled up and we’re told to go through the little break in the trees to set up our tents, our homes for the next week. This made way for the awkward small talk to continue as we tried to all find a piece of level ground to lay our heads for the next week. 

This is when we learned of the giant spiders that live in the woods of Georgia and how some of our squad mates *ahem Emma ahem* are slightly dramatic when it comes to spiders in their space (while we are living in their space).

From there, it was all pretty much a blur. We went through introductions and sessions and teachings to better understand just exactly what we all had signed up for. We were placed in vacuous groups to see how’d we’d react to and handle various situations (some of which ended with doubled over belly laughter while others ended on the brink of tears from frustration). But nonetheless, we all made it through. 

We worshipped – and I don’t mean the Sunday morning play three songs sort of worship, but the sort of worship where the Spirit leads. The sort of worship that sometimes led to being facedown in the cold cement floor of the training center weeping and other times led to dancing and shouting with joy. 

We were given these plates with exotic food on them and then told to eat with only our hands because that is what is socially acceptable in this scenario. 

We also put together one heck of a show for squad wars where…we didn’t win (but don’t worry, N-Squad is definitely still not bitter whatsoever and we definitely don’t talk about it every time that we are together)

And now, looking back on all this last year has held and looking forward as we head into month 11 on the race it all seems surreal. It is hard to comprehend and wrap my head around. How did I get to this moment? How have the people that I have been living with and growing with only known me for a year? How can God show up in such big and mighty ways in such a short amount of time? 

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Father, thank you for choosing me. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of what you are doing around the world. And Father help me never lose sight of all that you are capable of doing. 

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Logistical update: 

So I was told by a dear friend of mine that I am TERRIBLE with giving logistical updates and therefor she never truly knows where I am, where I’m going, or what I’m doing. 

So now that we are nearing the end, I might as well give it a try. 

My team (Team Women of Wisdom) and I have been serving alongside Africa 4 Jesus this month in Lesotho (pronounced Les-u-tu) as well as another team from our squad, Canvas and Clay. We have been mainly going house to house evangelism while here. 

On October 26, we load into vans and head to our separate ministry hosts in South Africa. While in South Africa, my team will be working with a church (we aren’t completely sure what we will be doing). 

From there, we will spend a few short days off in South Africa as a “hooray we actually did this thing”. 

Then on the day after thanksgiving, we will have our FINAL travel day back to America *insert shocked face here* 

Then our squad will spend a few days in Georgia debriefing our year and making the transition back into that culture. 

I know that is a very quick overview, and I hope to be able to give more details and stories soon. 

But for now, I leave you with my prayer requests and ask how I can be praying for you – comment, text me, or reach out via social media! 

 

1. For strength to finish strong. We are so close to the end, but we are all also very tired: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 
2. My squad mates – some have plans for what is next, others don’t. Pray that God gives them peace regardless of their situation. 
3. Me – it has become a choice here recently. A choice to choose my team, a choice to choose ministry, a choice to choose joy. 
4. Thanksgiving – pray for both our families and us on this day. While you are sitting around your big dinner table as if nothing is missing, remember that this year, it is different for us.