To say that I had no expectations coming to training camp would be silly. I expected to be sleeping in our tents the WHOLE time, to be crammed with as much information about our countries as could possibly fit, and to have to trudge around carrying our packs for miles. While none of those exact things happened, we did a differen version of each.
The first night of camp we were told that we out of all of the things that we brought we were to go and get 3 items that we would have for the rest of the night. Then we were told that we were going to make a shelter with our teams out of 2 tarps and some rope and that we were going to be spending the night in them. It was kinda crazy but totally fun and a great bonding experience.
While we didn't trudge with our backpacks we did do an exercise that we were to write all of our spiritual baggage to lay down. After doing that we were to walk down a maybe mile long trail carrying our logs and then at the end we physically got to lay them down. It was great to actually phycially carry around all of those things and then lay them down!
Each day we had different sessions that we would learn different skills and what to do and what not to do. We were also told about some things that we would experience and that the best way to fully experience the best out of this trip would be to be totally flexable and up for change. We learned a little of the language and the cultural differences.
My favorite exercise that we did was when we listened to God. Yes it may sound silly like don't you listen to God everyday? Well yes…but this is what we did…. The 6 groups were split into 2 groups, group 1 and group 2. Group 1 was told to stand around the outside of the room and close their eyes. Group 2 was told to go and stand in front of each person in group 1 and to put a hand on their shoulder to let them know they were there. Then the leader prayed that God would speak truth and life over the person in group 2 and group one told the other about what God was telling them about that person. It was such an amazing thing!!
The verse that God has laid on my heart for this trip is Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not percieve it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
I am so excited to see God work in the people that we meet and in each of us! Let Gods love shine!
