Am I adequate?  Am I strong enough?  Am I ready for this?   These were the questions that kept flooding my thoughts as all 190 college students traveling to 11 different countries loaded up on yellow school buses and set out on the long journey to the Training Launch-off Camp in Tennessee. I was truly prepared for the unexpected when, along with the heat of the summer and exhaustion of travel, it was announced that we would be sleeping outside with nothing but our sleeping bags.  As my team of 16 began setting up camp for the night, thoughts of doubt hit me hard once...

Leaving home Friday morning was really hard for me. I had just left hanging out with friends to go on a mission trip with people I have not met yet. I felt like I was leaving my comfortable life to never come back. The whole way to the airport and on the plane I felt alone and almost regretted signing up for this mission trip but I kept thinking God has a plan. As soon as I landed in Chattanooga, a teammate from my team greeted me and it was just great. It was like meeting a long lost friend. After finding my baggage and I went and met up with other real life people and started talking to...

4 DAYS. That's all it's been?!? After being dropped off at the airport, all of the mission trip participants (approximately 200 students are traveling all over the world!!!) were bussed to a training camp in the deep woods of Tennessee.  Even in the short time that we spent there, I can honestly say that I am already feeling a change!  What an awesome experience!  My team is comprised of 13 wonderful young women, along with 2 inspirational leaders, and after only a few hours together, the bonds began to form.  The LORD has divinely developed our team, and we...

Family is a word that is normally limited to relation by blood or people who have been in your life for many years.  Family wouldn't normally describe a group of peers that you have only knonw three days.  Relationships are developed and strengthened because we all have Christ in common. As a team we have already created so many memories together and we haven't even left the country.  Crazy Amazing things can happen when Christ is invloved.  Our second night at camp during team time we wanted to have a bonfire.  At our nighttime session we were told that...

When I began this experience, I honestly was expecting something very different. I was expecting for an almost cushy time and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Although the latter is true, the former is certainly not. I have been so crazily uncomfortable these last few days. From camping in the woods on a whim with only three personal items to sharing a cabin with 24 other girls to rationing food for over 200 people… I have been uncomfortable. But the Spirit of God has given me so much peace. Every time I felt that I had doubts and was going astray from what I had been called to do, I...

These last four days have been craziness. Mostly good craziness, but craziness nonetheless. I left a day early with Laura and stayed in Minneapolis with my wonderful roommate (and was entertained for many hours by my RA, who is also wonderful) in Minneapolis. We left early Friday morning from Minneapolis and ended up in Chattanooga, TN. After waiting in the airport for several hours, we met our team and started the awkward process of meeting and bonding with each other. We then loaded all our things onto a school bus and drove for almost two hours to a summer camp somewhere in Tennessee....

Well, I made it!  Nearly 200 Real Life participants safely made it to Chattanooga, Tennessee to train for trips all over the world.  We have participated in worship, teaching, and bonding experiences, and together, we have grown as a community of Christ.  Our first night really set the tone for the rest of the trip… We were told to pick three items, in addition to our water, to take with us on our first adventure.  We had no idea what this meant.  Would we be going for a hike?  Would we be building a fire?  Would we be sleeping somewhere...

The last few days we have been at training camp.  It is absolutely beautiful! The land is covered with stately green trees and hills (mini mountains compared to Nebraska!)   So much has happened!  One the lighter side, picture each team facing each other in a very intense dance off….or almost 200 real-lifers dancing during “super-awesome-morning-time” to Lion King’s “The Circle of Life”!   But most importantly, God has been moving and working already in preparation for this trip. He has done many things in my heart, but perhaps the...