We started our trip with 2 weeks in Georgia doing training camp.
Day to day layout:
8am: breakfast
9am: worship and session
12:30: lunch
1:30-2:30: break
2:30: session
4:00: squad time
5:30: dinner
Break
7:00: camp clean up (clean porta potty’s, showers, or training center)
It would get dark around 8 pm and we were sleeping in tents so we would get ready for bed then spend some time reading in our tents. In between all of these activities was playing games, taking showers, doing our laundry in buckets, doing dishes, and spending time getting to know the people we would spend the next few months with.
What I learned:
These two weeks were really hard they were very busy and we had a lot of information and sermons that we were taking in. We also were with strangers in a new place with none of our normal comforts. However it also was super growing, learning to understand our teammates that are from different backgrounds, and how to be okay being uncomfortable and smelly.
Most importantly I learned even more the importance of knowing scripture. This time was difficult as there are many different people giving sermons from different denominations and backgrounds. So there was a lot of new perspectives and ideas that I did not understand or always (completely) agree with. But because of this I learned that I need to know what God says and his character so I could bring everything people said back to that truth that is laid out in the Bible.
Knowing Gods word and his character has been so helpful when satan is telling me lies, I am hearing new ideas and want to know if they are from God, or being tempted.
An example of this in scripture I kept coming back to is in Matthew 4. Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by satan. And satan was telling him lies and using scripture out of context to try to trick Jesus. But because Jesus knew scripture we was able to correct the lies in the way satan worded things and remind himself of the truths God says.
Favorite memories:
On about the third night at training camp many of my team ended up laying on a blanket and star gazing and joking and laughing together.
On the second to last night of training camp we had squad wars, we all dressed up in our squad color purple and were competing against the other squads (three gap year squads and an 11 month squad). Our squad is 17 people while all the other squads are about 30 or 40. So we were small and most of us had to do every game. My squad was not good at dodgeball ?? and lost every game! However we had to come up with a all squad dance and we killed that!! And got second in the dance competition. This was the most fun night and our squad had so much fun together losing at some games and winning others.
On the night before we went to the airport we got to watch a movie together. Keep in mind we have been in tents and outside for two weeks straight with a lot of rain and we were wanting to watch a movie and sit inside so badly. Our mentor Cami said we could go into the office and watch a movie on the projector. Unfortunately we didn’t have WiFi and could not figure out how to get the projector to work. So we all huddled around someone’s laptop and watched nacho libre. We also found grape juice left over from communion and extra corn bread from dinner. So those were our snacks as 15 of us huddled around this computer.
Some other amazing memories included washing clothes together, taking bucket showers and hearing people yelling as cold water washed down their back. And doing dishes together while singing and dancing.
Training camp was hard and long but I am so thankful for this time with God and my team and the wonderful memories I made.
Two people on our squad got positive covid tests and were unable to go into Nicaragua due to needing negative tests. So they have been quarantined in Costa Rica. The rest of us have made in to Nicaragua and have been quarantined for the first week but will begin ministry on Monday. Please be praying for those two girls and one of our leaders still in Costa Rica and that they can join us soon!
Please also continue to be praying for my team as we start ministry!
Love you all,
Halle
GOD bless you, Halle!! Your update is so encouraging and a great reminder to get our identity, truth and perspective from GOD and what HE says!! Love you and praying for you!! I love Nicaragua, too! Shalom sis!!
So glad to hear your update. So proud of you Halle.
So great to hear of your journey- keep updating as you can. Will keep remembering you before our Father.
Thank you for the update! We love you and are praying for you Halle! Hugs to you!
Love you so much halle may! So proud of what you guys are doing and will be praying for you all??
So great to see this update, I’m thinking about you everyday. I can hear your smile and laugh when I read this. So excited for all that lays at your feet to behold. Love you!
So good to hear of your adventures. I know God has lots in store for you. Remember to carry patience and love with you as you meet new people groups. Jesus loves you!
Halle! You are so missed.
Thanks for the update… truly there is something quite unifying as common stink & cold water bucket baptisms:)
Well done turning to scripture for truth- I am praying that you are so strongly connected to God’s spirit that you can be confident in the knowledge of him. Much Love!
Aw Hal!!! I love this so much!
You have been so missed! But hearing all of this is so incredible! Al the memory’s you are making and the things you are learning!! I’m so excited to hear about these next couple weeks!!
Love you always!!!
Hi Halle!
So happy and blessed by your post! Not surprised at all that your team won the dance contest! So thankful that you are discerning truth more and more! Papa and I miss you so
and are praying for you! Love you Halle! Spider
Thank you for the update! God is doing amazing things in your life and I am so excited for you! You and your team will bless many people. God bless you on your journey!
Love you and miss you Hal! Keep on shining, trusting, praying!
Thank you for the update and praying for them and your team. Also, those you encounter with. Hugs and blessings to you.
So proud of you, stay safe and I will pray for you and your team??
“Stretchy Pants” – Nacho Libre – great movie. Love reading your updates and journey. You are loved…praying for you girl!
So fun to read your update, and to know the details that come to your mind to share! We miss you next door! I can imagine your laugh, and smile, and thoughtfulness bring such joy to the others. I will keep praying! Much love, and care!!
Hi Halle! I just read about training camp! Some parts do sound rough like the rain and tents and cold water and smelly! Lol and your snacks during the movie were hilarious! You sound like you had a good attitude through it all and I LOVE that you go back to Gods word to confirm the new ideas you’re hearing! Can’t wait to hear more about Nica! Love you!
Miss you so much