Training Camp!

Hey guys!! It’s official, we are on our way to Africa! I cannot be more excited to get there and begin ministry with this amazing team. I have gotten to live with them and get to know them the past couple weeks. 2 weeks ago, we got dropped at base in Gainesville, Georgia. There, we were tested emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The goal of training camp was to make it worse than anything we could experience on the field. Due to cold weather, a lot of things were changed for our training but I still feel like they prepared us well for this next season. We got to grow in community and grow in relationship with the Holy Spirit. We dove into the word constantly. We were tested with scenarios and activations of things that could happen on the field and how to handle it, such as: house visits, markets, children’s ministry, and even airport/ travel day. In all honesty, training camp was not easy. We slept on the hard floor for 2 weeks, and used porta potties that weren’t cleaned out all of training camp. We ate in the cold and were woken up every day with blaring music. But I can honestly say, I had the most fun. Learning to lean on God in the hard or uncomfortable moments is a skill I hope to use the rest of my life. I got to live in deep community with my squad. They feel like a family already. By the second week of training camp, we were connected on a deeper level than anything I’ve experienced before. We were praying over each other, relying on each other, calling out gifts we saw in one another, laughing, crying, and dancing. A few days before leaving training camp, we got to compete in something called Squad Wars. Our squad was so hyped for it… unfortunately we lost. However we had so much fun! Competing with other squads through relays, dodgeball, hoola hopping, and most importantly a dance off. Just a taste of some of the amazing moments I’ve gotten to share with this family. I could not be more thrilled to get to live in community with these people through Christ for the next few months. I can feel how much the Lord is working through this team already and how much he has in store for us. Thank you all for prayer and support! I truly would not be here if it weren’t for your servant hearts!

Matea