Training Camp!

We have just finished training camp! When I first got here I was so nervous the first couple of days. But looking back I know I had nothing to worry about. Everybody on my squad has been so amazing. I’m looking forward to learn and grow with these amazing people

Training camp was three weeks we then had domestic ministry, and a week of debrief then on the seventh we leave to Malaysia. During training camp I woke up at 6:30 to get ready for the day then at 7:15 I took a short hike down to the dinning deck where we eat all of our meals. Breakfast wasn’t until 8 so I had time to read the Bible and journal. It was so amazing to have that time in the morning and I learned so much about God and read verses that I had never heard of but needed. One of those verses was Psalms 144:1-5 these talk about how the Lord is our rock and fortress and a shield we take refuge in. In verses three and four it talks about how He cares for mortals even though their days are like the fleeting shadows. In the last verse it talks about the Lord coming down and the writer wants Him to touch the mountains so that they smoke. I feel like these are powerful verses because it talks about how we are always able to reside in Him because He is always going to be our stronghold. After breakfast we always had an amazing worship session. Previously I had always been afraid to raise my hands in worship because I was scared of what others would think but I then realized that the only option I should care about is the Fathers. But now I gladly raise my hands because it just shows even more that I willing to get weird looks if I’m able to praise Him. After worship we had some really amazing sessions and teachers. I think something really important that I have learned is hearing Gods voice. For as long as I can remember I always thought that God only spoke in an audible voice and that made it really hard for me to feel connected with Him. So hearing a sermon on hearing Gods voice was more important than I know. During the sermon we talked about how the Spirit of God lives and dwells within us. And that as a child of God our inheritance is the Spirit of God. We also talked about how there are three main ways that you can hear God. First there is the voice of the Holy Spirit which is that loud booming voice. The second way is the inward voice. But we have to be careful with what is our voice, what is of the world and what is of the enemy. This voice is the hardest to discern; we have to learn the voice of God through trial and error and be okay with it. Which was really hard for me to hear because I like to do something right the first time. The third way is the Inward witness which is intuition/ our gut feeling. The tug can often be very small and we can miss it if we are not focusing on it. We tend to be more obedient to God when it is obvious. This session was very helpful and showed me that God moves in all different ways. After sessions we had lunch which was always yummy. After lunch we had team prayer( our squad is divided into four teams) this was refreshing because I always find it easier to pray out loud in a smaller group. After that we had about an hour of personal time which was nice to go rest after having a pretty full day. Then we would have either a squad meeting or another session. The squad meetings usually consisted of talking about what was going on that week and different details. The first week of training camp we did team bonding which was so much fun. The first week and a half we didn’t have a team leader because our original team leader decided with prayer that it was best if she didn’t come along with us. But luckily God answers prayer and we got a team leader within three days of finding out we weren’t going to have one! After that we usually had dinner and then we were free to hang out afterward until it was time to go to bed at 11. Sunday is our Sabbath so the only things scheduled are the meals. So it’s a full day of the rest the first Sabbath I had really bad FOMO( fear of missing out) so I didn’t rest much and I learned a valuable lesson to rest on my Sabbath because I was exhausted the next week. But a fun little tradition our squad has is we make steaks every Sabbath and the men grill it and it is always so yummy.
During team prayer we started doing something call SPERM which just helps others know how you are doing so I’ll share so you know how I’m doing. Spiritually I’m doing better than I ever have before. I feel like I have such good relationship with Him. I feel like during training camp I stopped looking at Him like he was some spiritual being far away but as someone who loves His kids and wants to be with them. We just have to be willing to let him. Physically I feel amazing, I’m getting outside and getting so much more exercise than I normally do. Emotionally I’m doing really well to I haven’t missed my family as much as I thought I would and I’ve only cried three times! Relationally I’m doing good. I feel like I’ve come to realize that making deep connections is going to take time and it’s not an overnight thing. Plus everybody I meet is just so kind and understanding I’ve made friends so far which I’m eternally grateful for. Now it’s time to just continue building those relationships. Mentally I’m doing good as well. I feeling like having to be outside all the time and then not having access to my phone 24/7 has really helped as well.
Somethings that I would love prayer for is continued prayer that I wouldn’t get homesick. My squad is headed out the 7th for Malaysia so prayer for safety because it is illegal to be missionary’s there. And finally that I will continue making deep connections with the people that I meet.

(this is my amazing team!)