Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog!

This week was my first week of training camp! Yippee! I’m not gonna lie, it’s definitely been a harsh transition.  It was a little intimidating at first adjusting to a completely new lifestyle while also trying to meet and connect with so many new people, and leaving my people behind. But through all of it, the Lord has been so present, and I’ve already seen Him working in ways I didn’t expect.

The first couple of days were filled with a LOT of sessions. We’ve been learning more about what it means to follow Jesus, serve others, live in community, and prepare our hearts for the months ahead. Some of the sessions have been challenging and have definitely made me think, but they’ve also been really encouraging. One thing I’m realizing is that this trip isn’t just about going to different countries and doing missions work. God is using this time to work on me too. There are definitely things He is showing me that I need to surrender, grow in, and trust Him with before I even leave the country.

One of the biggest parts of this first week has been getting to know everyone. Coming into training camp, I knew these people by there names and profile pictures, so walking into a group of people who are all going to be living and traveling together for the next several months was definitely intimidating! But I’ve already met so many amazing people, and it’s been really cool getting to hear everyone’s stories and learn why they decided to say yes to this crazy adventure. We’re all so different, but we have the biggest thing in common, we’re all here because we want to follow Jesus and serve Him. I’m excited to see how these friendships grow throughout the next nine months. I have a feeling these are going to be some pretty special people.

One of the highlights of the week was hiking Mount Yonah! And let me tell you… it was HARD. The hike was definitely a challenge, especially when we were already getting tired and ran completely out of water, but making it to the top was SO worth it. The view was absolutely incredible, and we were even able to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain. Standing up there, looking out over the mountains as the sun was setting, was one of those moments where I just had to stop and think, “Wow, God really created all of this.” It was also a pretty good reminder that sometimes the hardest parts of the journey lead to the most beautiful views. I think that’s going to be a lesson I’ll need to remember quite a bit over the next nine months.

And then there’s the part of training camp that has probably been the biggest adjustment: the living situation. We’re living in tents, which means no nice comfy bed, no personal space, and definitely no air conditioning. And because Georgia decided to remind us that it is, in fact, Georgia, it has been HOT. We also have bucket showers and bucket laundry (yes a literal bucket), so pretty much every normal convenience I’m used to at home has been stripped away. It’s definitely an adjustment, but I think that’s part of the point.

I’m learning that I don’t actually need as many things as I thought I did. I’m learning to be flexible, share space, live simply, and be grateful for the little things; like a cold shower, clean clothes, or getting to sleep in an actual bed. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also been really cool to experience. I know that living this way is going to prepare us for some of the environments we’ll be in throughout the next nine months.

So, week one has officially come to an end! There have definitely been hard moments, but there have also been so many good ones. I’m learning, growing, meeting incredible people, and slowly getting used to this crazy new lifestyle. I know there are going to be plenty more challenges ahead, but I’m excited to see what the Lord is going to do through this season. I have no idea exactly what the next nine months will look like, but I know I said yes, and I’m trusting God with the rest.

Thanks for reading! See ya soon,

Love, Bri!