While at Training Camp before going to India and Nepal, Passporter Emma Cary experienced more than just ministry preparation. She had a life-changing encounter with God that healed her heart and set her free to share His love with the nations.

I took my first cold bucket shower on June 3, 2016. It was actually quite nice, except I felt clean for about two seconds. Naturally. Georgia is hot, and tents are not air conditioned. And neither are port-a-potties. Things are sweaty and messy, to say the least.

As I walked into the Adventures headquarters that first Friday, my soul carried weights that I did not allow myself to realize. The Passport staff asked us to release them.

They asked us to free our hands of anything that was not of the Lord so He could fill them.

I have encountered the Holy Spirit many times in my life. I asked Him to speak to me and move in me, and it was like a splash of His love came upon me. It was beautiful and wonderful, but I felt clean for about two seconds. Not long after, I felt sweaty and messy and dirty again. It was my own fault. I had not surrendered everything.

I had not allowed Him to soak into the corners of my soul that I wanted to keep hidden.

I won’t ever have to feel the burden of not being covered by the Holy Spirit anymore because I know it’s nothing I have done to earn. I’ve only just asked and received.

To everyone reading this; I can’t stress this enough: lay down the barriers surrounding your heart and be free!!! Today I am drowning in the river of His love. Don’t just splash yourself with a temporary bucket bath. Be immersed in forgiveness and joy.

The corners of my heart that were dusty and covered and ugly have become exposed. The secrets that I hid in the dark are now in the light. And I am free.

Before I left for training camp, I knew I wanted to go to india because my heart was broken for the injustices and the amount of unreached people, and the Lord told me to go.

Now I want to go because I want everyone to have what I have: complete freedom in the Creator of the world, endless joy that surpasses understanding, peace, and hope.

*photo by @feliciapena

I had no clue how much the Father just wants to spend time with His beloved children. I was not aware I could ask the Lord to speak and He would. Did you know that? I encourage you and I beg you, go sit in the presence of the Lord, and invite Him in like never before. Free yourself of all the things you do not have to carry. Find out what’s holding you back, really search the depths of your heart, and surrender them.

The Holy Spirit has become my friend. And I am free.

I have asked the Lord earnestly this week to reveal his heart for me and his heart for India. He has and will continue to do so. I am growing in ways I didn’t know were possible. I have loved the Lord for most of my life, but as I was sobbing on the floor two nights ago, a realization came over me: This is so much bigger than I thought it was. The Spirit is real, living, breathing, active, and DESPERATE FOR ME.

The God of the universe wants a relationship with me. 

Emma realized God’s love for her is so much bigger than she ever believed, and now she is taking that life-changing truth with her to India and Nepal… because it’s too good to keep to herself. She know that sharing God’s love will transform lives. 

You can join other college students like Emma this fall on 3 month trips to Latin America, Africa, and Asia! CLICK HERE to find out how you can join a team—and where you can GO!