Week one – training camp!

You guys, God is SO GOOD! Let me give you the run-down of my week!

To start off, some of you may not even know what I’m doing right now. I’m currently in the woods of Georgia tent camping with 200 racers! My squad is O squad and I love all, 17 of them! I’ll be in Georgia for two weeks training to enter the field. Packing for this trip was interesting to say the least, I had to give up a lot of comfort and just get down to the bare necessities. But I did it, one suitcase for three months!

This week has been so crazy, I wish I could give you all the details but its hard to write all the amazing things God has done into a short blog, you’ll have to ask me about it when I’m home!

The first couple days at camp I was worried I would not be able to survive weeks out here. Humid and hot, loud and big bugs, random rain storms, laundry by hand, BUCKET SHOWERS, and so much more. But you guys… I LOVE it here. The very first full day there was a storm and we left our tent windows open and my entire sleeping bag was soaking wet, I had to sleep with no pillow, no blanket, no mattress pad (because it won’t stay inflated lol), but that night the Lord blessed me with the best sleep I’ve had so far this week!

Training camp is meant to prepare us for real and difficult situations that can happen on the field. We’ve gotten some really cool opportunities to gain some exposure to different scenarios. Cultural day we enjoyed some of the best food and some of the well… not best food. For example, lunch that day was cheese and jelly sandwiches, surprisingly they are not as bad as you think. That evening we had coconut curry, it was so good! We had to dress “on theme” for our counties and greet one another as customary in Central America (for girls, two air kisses on the cheek or an elbow grab). We had ministry day where we were placed in a scenario, sharing the gospel in a house visit. I also got to wake up and pray for the campus between 3am and 4am with Kylee and Emma. We pray day and night and our squad was on the prayer team one night. So cool to truly capture how God is with us all the time! I really was able to have some powerful prayer at a time I wouldn’t typically set aside.

There is so much to learn! Everyday we have a session or a few where we go over different topics like forgiveness, Sabbath, the gospel, truth, and a million others. Each session has been so empowering and has taught me so much! Its awesome to hear from so many people with different backgrounds and testimonies.

Worship. I have never experienced worship like this. The Holy Spirit just takes over our time in worship! We spend hours praising the Lord, praying for one another, sharing what God is doing, and just enjoying the presence of God.

I’ve gotten to know my squad so well this past week. Connection was instant within the group. We know so much about one other, on a deep and personal level. I think it’s safe to say that these people are my family and I am honored to be spending the next three months in fellowship with them. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in one week! Even when we had to clean out the outhouses, do dishes, or mop floors, there is laughter and so much joy! I love being in the presence of so many people who love the Lord and are just down to pray at any time or any place. It’s so encouraging to be surrounded with so many who walk with Jesus! One night our squad had a really powerful time in prayer, my shoulder had been hurting all week and as we prayed for health and healing within the group, my shoulder clicked and it didn’t hurt at all!

Here’s a little quote from my journal: “In your relationship with the Lord, there is one person in a hurry, and two people who have an eternity to work it out.”

I want to give a huge thank you to all who have gotten me here, your prayers and financial support mean everything! The Lord is going to do so many amazing things and it’s thanks to your willingness to say yes with me! I would love to ask for your prayers in three ways this week; health, safety, preparation. There’s a sickness spreading throughout camp so we need prayer that it won’t spread and for healing. Safety during our time at training and as we enter the field. Lastly that we would be prepared to share the gospel with the Nations! I’ve been praying that we would be sparks, just lighting a wildfire for the Lord, one person at a time! Also, departure from the United States to Nicaragua is September 14th. We will be staying with our ministry hosts and spending Sunday on the beach! I’m almost fully funded and would appreciate support if you feel lead! You can Venmo me @maddymclaren and I will be sure to keep you all updated when I reach my needs!

Sending all my love and blessings, Maddy!