Never Be The Same

Imagine you’re thirsty and looking for a drink of water. Naively, you step in front of a fire hose, looking to quench your thirst, but instead the hose opens and the force of the water sends you flying. This is the best way I know how to describe Training Camp. I came thinking I would get a drink of water and instead I left fully drenched from head to toe with new experiences, a brand new family and so much new information and knowledge. If I tried to write about everything that happened at Training Camp, I would be typing for days and y’all would be left with a small book to read. So here is a tiny snippet of some things that I learned while I was there 🙂

To put it simply, Training Camp was 11 days in Gainesville, GA where the staff of Adventures in Missions worked together to prepare us for what is to come in this next year of ministry. They taught us about culture, how to listen to the Holy Spirit, what mission work truly means and how to seek first the Kingdom of God. We walked through different “field scenarios”, such as losing half of our luggage, and we practiced different things that are likely to happen while we are abroad. Our time there was full of camping, porta potties, ice cold bucket showers and lots and lots of rain. I dined on crickets and fermented eggs, ate with my hands and wore the same pair of pants more days in a row than I would like to admit. It was far from glamorous, but let me tell you – it was heaven on earth. Each day I woke up surrounded by 28 of the most incredible, unique, God-seeking, on-fire people I’ve ever met (aka my new family, C-Squad). We prayed together and for each other, we dreamed of making His name famous in some of the most unreached nations in the world and we leaned on each other in every way imaginable. Every day, we worshipped to bring God glory and to remind the enemy that he is defeated and the battle is won. For 11 days, we walked in victory, we encouraged and loved each other, we stepped out in faith, God gave us new dreams and we remembered old ones. We exercised our gifts and gave grace for our weaknesses and GOD WAS THERE. We each left a little more healed, a little more healthy, a little more whole and carrying a whole lot more of Jesus with us.

When talking to God about what He wanted me to write about, He told me, “Love. Tell them about my love”. The thing is, that is no easy topic. I can’t easily summarize the greatness and magnitude of our Father’s love. I cannot give y’all a simple 10 point list that would encompass what it means to feel God’s love. I can tell you, though, that when you experience the Father’s love, you will never be the same. I can tell you that His love is steadfast, abounding, merciful, patient, kind, stunning and absolutely incomprehensible. I can tell you that our Abba has been writing and continues to write a love story especially for you. Since before you were born, He knew your story and He inscribed your name on the palm of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) You can find His love written in the people that have been so carefully placed in your life. His love is in the experiences that intricately and delicately brought you to this moment (which is right where you are supposed to be). Training camp, for me, was the first time in my life that I truly tuned my heart to pay attention to the love story God has been writing for me. And y’all, it is so incredibly beautiful. Years ago, when God changed my life, He knew that in January 2020, I would go to 11 countries with 28 of the most amazing people and together we would make His name known. Our stories are beautifully intertwined, nothing short of a cheesy rom-com, and God has just been patiently awaiting our discovery. I encourage you to notice the God winks and tune your ears to the gentle whispers; God never does anything without intention.

Coming back from training camp, I’ve felt off. Old routines and comforts all seem a little meaningless and mundane. I feel restless, like half of me is here in Austin and half is already gone. All week, we listened to lessons of what it means to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth. We learned about what “mission” truly is and how we are called to partner with the Father to save His children. I heard about the statistics of the unreached populations in the 10/40 window – where I will be for the first 6 months of my journey. My heart broke with the revelation that every day people are dying without knowing the name of Jesus Christ. I saw new perspectives of the Father’s heart and I got to know my God in new ways. I left Gainesville, GA as a new person. 

While processing all of this with my friend, I foolishly said, “What if I don’t go back to feeling normal, what if I’m never the same?”. She lovingly replied, “Isn’t that the point?”. She’s right. When the four living beings who fly around the heavenly throne witness a new perspective of the Lord, all they can do is cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty! The Was, the Is and the Coming!”. And when the elders in Heaven hear this praise, they surrender their crowns and sing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power!”. (Revelation 4:8-11) I have seen a new perspective of the Lord. I have heard praises to my King while He has revealed just a small fraction of His desire for an eternity with His beloved children. All I want to do is bring Him glory and honor and praise. All I can do is cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty!”.

So here’s to a year of new perspectives and getting to know our Father in new and life-changing ways.

Let’s hope we will never be the same.