Hey Everyone!
Wow, I can’t even begin to express how much God has done in this week here at training camp. There has been so much to process and learn; I feel like my mind is going to explode! We have gotten to hear from lots of incredible people who have lots of incredible stories about what our incredible God is doing around the world, and also right here in Atlanta. My heart has broken even more as I learn about children who are forced to kill and eat their own parents, girls who are forced into prostitution at a ridiculously early age, people who sacrifice children to witch doctors because they think it is their only chance at getting healed, and so many other terrible things that go on everyday around the world. It has really begun to hit me that these stories will very soon have faces and names, but in fact they already have.
On the first night of training camp we spent several hours out on the streets of downtown Atlanta. We were talking with, listening to, and praying for homeless folks who in reality have pretty much nothing. Not only do they not have jobs, homes, money, or possessions, but they also don’t have any friends or family. They are alone. It was really cool though to hear from the ones who had complete trust that Jesus was with them in their struggle, and that He was so good to them. I don’t know how they could honestly say God is good with all they go through, but it was so encouraging to hear their faith that they aren’t alone. It was a good reality check for me, seeing as I have so much stuff to be thankful for and yet I still question God so easily. I have so much still to learn.
The night on the streets was really an amazing time of seeing how God works when we are faithful in following Him. I was so encouraged at how much closer our team got through that experience, even though it was only our first day together. The whole week has been such a blessing, and I am so pumped to see what God has in store for us as we continue to follow Him! Thank you for all your prayers and support; we will definitely need a lot of patience as we get to spend about 21 hours in the airport waiting for our flight to Brazil. Should be fun!
