It All Starts Somewhere

The mission trip for Uganda started for me July 1 because I had to drive down to the Touch the World office a day early to prepare for the leadership training. During this training, I would learn about TTW policies, leadership requirements, restrictions, advice, and most importantly praying for the trips. It was, to say the least, some of the most humbling and challenging two days I have been a part of and am so thankful for the time that TTW allowed me to have there – to learn, ask questions, pray, worship. Spiritually, it lifted me up and strengthened me, giving me confidence in being a leader to Uganda.

After the two days were over, all the students arrived and started checking in for training camp – a week long experience geared towards breaking down barriers, humbling the students, and providing a place spiritually for them to encounter God and prepare their hearts for what was to come. It reminded me a little of basic training.

Sleep in tents, wake up at 5:45am, breakfast at 6:15, no talking in line, wash your own dishes, no talking in the dish line.

If you are late anywhere, you have to serve an SB (special blessing) which is a nice term for punishment. Anything done against the rules resulted in an SB and as corny as it sounds, it was so beneficial to have and really served as a great tool in following rules.

Every block of time was specifically scheduled and being late was not an option. Morning devotions started prompting at 7:00am and wherever you were when the air horn went off, you sat down and had your devotions. In the dish line, porta-potties, anywhere. If you didn’t have your bible, you sat and were bored for 30 minutes (plus got an SB for not having your bible everywhere with you ).

I have to say that training camp completely sold me on TTW and their devotion to youth ministry. If you are considering a missions trip for your son or daughter, or even leading one a youth trip, check out Touch the World. Training camp is so beneficial and critical to a good experience and really grounds you as an ambassador for Christ and your motives for serving in this capacity.

Without these first two days and week of training, I would not have had the experience that I did nor would I have been prepared for Uganda. In this time, I was able to reflect on and come to grips with many of the sins in my life and struggles that pulled me down. I was able to admit to myself that yes I had an anger problem but that I would flip it and consider it a passion problem – too passionate for my own good and would find something in Uganda to be extremely passionate about. I was able to come to terms with this past break-up that has been lingering with me for months now. I laid a lot at the cross and surrendered it to Jesus and without this full week of spiritual growth, I would’ve been a mess in Uganda.

Praise God!