The Beginning...

As you may know, I am about to embark on incredible journey. The word incredible can be so versatile; one word can contain so much meaning. On this occasion, there are numerous words that can all be crammed into that one word. Words like exciting, scary, intimidating, adventurous, new, challenging, strengthening, humbling, unbelievable, crazy, and life-changing. There are so many of you who are supporting me as I embark on this journey, and I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you. Your prayers are requested and needed throughout these next two months. At first, I thought I was not going to have any form of communication available. But I was informed this week that we will be going into whatever city we are in everyday, and that the majority of those cities have Internet cafes we can use. However, I was warned that time would be very limited in said Internet cafes. So, I thought having one place where I can update all of those that love and support me at once would be a good idea. I should warn you, I am not the best writer and this is my first blog. But hopefully, my updates will be interesting enough to keep interested :) After all, its not my updates, but rather updates about what God is doing in and through me, and through those on my team, and throughout Europe. It is all about Him.

Training camp begins on Saturday. My parents and I are driving up to Chicago Friday night and staying in a hotel near the church the team is meeting at in the morning. My parents will drop me off around eight Saturday morning and we will head to training camp from there. I cannot even begin to tell you how nervous I am, which may surprise some of you but I must be honest. I am nervous. It seems strange even to me; I love meeting new people so what do I have to be nervous about? But as much as I love it, being the new girl equally terrifies me...its a strange paradox. However, in the midst of these feelings I know that The Lord is sovereign and He alone is in control. He has called me to this team for a reason, and I need not worry about the little things like the awkwardness of initial introductions. I know that the community we share in belonging to the body of Christ is strong enough to crush any anxieties and provide an environment for growth and encouragement in the Lord. Still, be praying for me and all of those I will meet.

This first week is training camp for the staff and staff disciplers. Then the following Saturday the students join us, and I get to start discipling and training my girls! I tell you this now because I am not sure if I will have any Internet access at training camp. Therefore, I may not be able to update this blog until I am actually in Europe, which is July 5th. If that is the case, I am sorry! But hang in there, I will be back!

There is a link on the side of my blog to a general blog that will be updated by a central staff member weekly throughout our trip. If you wish to read up on that as well, feel free! I believe they provide updates throughout training camp; so if I am not able to, check there. Oh, and please feel free to leave comments on these posts; I would LOVE to hear from you as well.
Thank you again for your love and support of this calling God has placed on my life for this summer. Please be specifically praying for me this week. Pray that I would be wise in my packing...you know that is going to be especially hard for me :) Pray for the other staff disciplers on my team who are preparing this week as well. Pray for strength and humility and faith, as I have no idea what I am getting myself into.

To Him be the Glory