Dive in Deep
It was only July 10th when I found out I was officially going on this crazy & wonderful 9 month adventure. The Tuesday before training camp I was on the phone with some people from AIM trying to figure out payments and other details, it was then I discovered that training camp was actually 4 days away. I did not know or have a flight at that point. After learning that without training camp the trip was not possible I quickly booked a flight to Atlanta for Saturday morning & started to pack my backpack.
I just got home from my week at training camp last night. It was like nothing I could have imagined. God definitely expanded my realm of comfort, exposed me to some challenges, and helped me overcome fear, doubt, worry, and deal with some things that have happened in the past few months.
I also had the joy of meeting my wonderful team. They are a blessing. They are excited, eager to learn, willing to GO, and as ready as one can be to live life together for 9 months.
Although I will not go into detail about training camp, I would like to say that it was a necessity so that I can be prepared for the trip. Especially because of how recently I signed up… many people on my team have known they were going for months and were a little bit more prepared for everything. I dove in deep this week. I shared life with my team, shed tears with them, prayed together, laughed together, and bonded.
I am proud to say I survived training camp & have overcome fears and doubts that surrounded my mind. I am now ready to GO. To leave for 9 months and come home knowing that I left my footprints in Nicaragua, The Philippines, and Kenya. Not just in the dirt that I walked in, but in people’s hearts.
With that being said, I cried when the plane took off from Atlanta on the ride home because it hit me that in 5 weeks I will be boarding a plane for 9 months and not coming home at all. It is scary and sad but probably one of the best things I can do for myself and my relationship with Christ.
Until next time,
Lexi Coco
It is so encouraging to read about your experiences in training camp. Thanks for sharing! I will be praying for you over the course of your adventure. God bless you richly!
Thank you so much Kevin! So glad to hear you will be praying!
A few years ago, I had an opportuniy to go to Guatemala on a mission trip fir 2 weeks at 16 yrs old. I kept saying no time after time. 5 days before the trip, God made it very loud and clear that He wanted me to go through so many circumstances. I was out with a friend who was going on the trip while the leader of it texted and asked if I had a passport. I said yes because I got it a few months ago so I would have it (That kind of stuff is important to my dad that I have it just in case.) She replied saying that they got a check for another plane ticket if anyone else wanted to go. I had just got a new job to fill in for some girls going on this trip and another girl was visiting her family in Mexico so they needed at least one more person. 5 days before the trip, I found out that the girl visiting her family had to change her plans and was coming home the day before the trip! so they did not need me! I was also going to babysit for a family that was going and again God had already changed those plans. I already had my passport because I got it a few months earlier in case I ever needed it. So many other things fell into place and were already in place 5 days before that trip. Yes, I went. There, I began to have a passion for traveling, discipling, and just for sharing God’s love in general. Now I feel God calling me on a trip, but I just don’t know where yet.
Your post reminded me of the wonderful things God does when we stop worrying and let Him take control! Thank you!