Training Camp!!

Hey friends!

These past three weeks have been full of growth, stretching, and hearing from God in powerful ways. I wanted to share a glimpse into what Training Camp has been like, how I’ve seen God move, and the incredible things we’ve been part of so far.

What Training Camp Is Like

We start our day at 7:45 with our morning devotions. Sometimes, we also have morning workouts at 7. After breakfast at 8:30, we have free time or dishes depending on which squad’s turn it is. Guess what? We don’t have a dishwasher! I know, crazy. We fill tubs with soap and water, and one tub with a little bleach and water to rinse. To dry, we shake them. At 10, we worship! My favorite time! The rest of the day consists of sessions and break outs to discuss in our squads or teams (my group of six girls). Then back to sessions and lunch. After lunch, we have team prayer. Then free time. From there we move into either another session or squad time.

We had a few times where we would have house scenarios, marketplace scenarios, or kids’ ministry scenarios. During those, we would act out possible situations and how to share the gospel in them, like with a language barrier, cars driving through every couple of minutes, and people yelling and bargaining. It was a lot of fun and very helpful! One night at dinner, we were told that we were going to the Philippines early and to pack our day packs. So, at 8:30 that night, we got into the Adventures in Missions (AIM) vans and drove around Gainesville and back to base, dropping us off at the training center to go through a scenario of staying the night at a host’s home. Overall, camp was incredible, fulfilling, and a time of so much growth.

Ways I Saw God Move:)

Some of the most impactful moments were the revival nights. There were three of them, each one bringing something powerful. They were filled with worship and a message, followed by more worship. The first night focused on leaving the “house” we find comfort in, the worldly comforts and chains that hold us back, such as insecurities and money problems. Instead of giving these things to God, we retreat to our own house. During this time, we received a piece of paper and wrote down our house and the things that kept us stuck. Then, we went outside and threw them in a fire as a symbolic act of burning down our “house”. I felt so many chains break off me, and I was able to feel to my full extent again. It tore down walls that I didn’t even know I still had up.

For context, I am an empath, so I can feel what others feel. I still had that ability, but I was holding it back. God healed my heart from all the hurt it had endured, and I wasn’t afraid to feel or cry in front of others. As I watched the paper burn, I didn’t want to hold on to it for a little longer. Instead, I wanted to see what was holding me captive be destroyed. When I returned into the training center, I knelt down and bowed my head, surrendering to God. I let out the tears I had been holding back for so long. My squad mates surrounded me and sat with me, praying over me. When I lifted my head, I hugged them, and I noticed one of the girls alone. People had gone and prayed for her, but they hadn’t stayed. So, I got up and went over to sit with her and cry with her. I felt her pain when I put my hand on her. I prayed over her, and then I wasn’t sure if I should stay or if she needed space. Then, I heard patience, so I sat with her for probably over an hour, just being present.

At the end of the night, we were walking out, and she thanked me for just being there and sitting with her. God speaks; we just need to listen! The second revival night focused on baptism and becoming a new creation in Him. While I didn’t feel called to be baptized, I witnessed two very close friends being baptized, and it was an incredible experience. That night, I was able to cheer, cry, smile, and pray for them, and it was truly beautiful.

The last revival night was truly a joy for me. I had been too quick to comfort others, but I realized I needed to focus on myself and God for a while. I bowed down before Him, reached up to Him, and felt the peace and joy He brought. I then went to pray over those that i felt He told me to, and I would cry with them or rejoice with them. However, when I returned to worship, I was able to give the burdens over to the Lord and have a smile on my face!

At the end of the night, the entire room was filled with joy, and we were all dancing uncontrollably for the Lord. It was a beautiful display of undignified worship.

Another moment was when the Lord gave me words for two people on my squad. I shared what He had put on my mind, and one of them said, “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.” The other one asked, “How did you know that?” I replied, “It’s not from me; it’s from God.”:)

During one of the sessions, I had a vision from God, but I didn’t realize it at first. Initially, all I saw in my mind was a girl falling into the water, fully submerged. I couldn’t see anything above the water. My mind was active, and I didn’t give it much thought. Then, the speaker continued talking about a tree and its significance in determining the location of its roots and where they are planted. Then vision was completed, and I saw a tree at the edge of the water. However, it started to fall, and when it hit the water, it transformed into the girl. While I don’t have a clear understanding of the exact meaning of the vision. I believe He was showing me that we should not only be rooted in the Holy Spirit but also be completely submersed in Him and completely encapsulated by Him.

On another day, we went out evangelizing in Gainesville Square, and God truly moved! Before we went out, we prayed for God to reveal who to talk to and clarity in our speech and boldness in our faith. I wasn’t sure if I had any significant visions, but I did see a woman and a little girl in a white shirt. As we were out, I kept my eyes open, and we prayed over many people. It was nearing the end of the day, and I felt a bit disappointed, but I decided that it wasn’t for today and that it might come a different time.

Now, here’s the crazy part: we were in a group of four, a leader, me, and two of my squad mates. One of the girls had seen a man in the beginning and had seen him again at the end. She didn’t tell us this immediately, but she prayed to God to keep the man there if she was supposed to talk to him, and he was still there. So, she went over to talk to him, and we ended up talking to him for about 20 minutes. Then, this family was walking nearby. There was a little boy wearing a white shirt in a stroller, and a woman pushing it. But there were also two younger adults and a man. So, I thought, “That’s not exactly what I saw,” and I didn’t approach them. However, they walked right past me! So, I took that as an opportunity and spoke up and talked to them. At the end, I asked if I could pray for them. They told me that their little boy had just gotten hearing aids for the first time, and it was his first day hearing! Isn’t that incredible?

While our leader and the initial girl were talking to the other guy, the other girl came over. We prayed over this family, and it was incredible! I learned not to take visions so seriously, because we are human and it may not always be accurate.

Overall one of my biggest takeaways was, “Don’t put limits on God because you don’t understand.” Coming into this, there have been many things I haven’t seen or done before. I thank God for the open mindset He has given me. Instead of being turned away from it and not believing what is happening, I have been pressing into Him with a new curiosity, and it’s been so exciting learning! He does the impossible, and I can’t wait to see how He uses our squad for His good!

During training camp, we also got our teams within the squad! I’m on a team with six other girls, including our leader, Gracie. My teammates are Sion-ed, Olivia, Shelby, Marcie, and Lucy. Our team name is the Salt Shakers, stemming from the Bible verse in Matthew 5:13.

Songs that have stuck out to me recently are “Rest on Us,” Maverick City/ Upper Room, “Center,” Bethel Music/ Abbie Gamboa, “You Saved Me,” UpperRoom, Abbie Gamboa and “The Blood,” Bethel Music/ David Funk.

A Bible verse I’ve been meditating on is Romans 5:1-5.

Prayer requests:

-That God would continue to work through us to reach other!

-Clarity in our speech and boldness in faith.

-Squad unity.

-Good health and safe travels.

Thank you for the continued support and being with me through this journey!

God bless,

Lydia