Hey everyone, it has been 2 weeks into training camp here in Gainesville, Georgia and it has been a journey. Unfortunately, I left my computer at the Salt Lake City airport during my layover and could not retrieve it. Bare with me as I figure out how to do these blog posts over my phone.
My team:
I’m very thankful I’m in the squad with only 27 people because other squads have about 50-60. They both have pros and cons but I love having a close knit group of people because I get to know everyone very well.
Our squad of 27 is split up into teams for when we go onto the missions field because not all of us are going to be needed at all times. My team is made up of all 8 guys and they are all amazing. We have named our team “The Wanderers” with Stevie Wonder as our team mascot. 😉
The Holy Spirit:
Everyone is very spiritually mature which is a bit intimidating at times. I am learning all about different spiritual backgrounds and seeing how the Holy Spirit moves in all different kinds of ways. Having people speaking in tongues, having visions, claiming to have supernatural healing, and having spirits being casted out is not what I’m used to for sure. Having an open mind and discernment is important.
I love what my uncle David had to say about this, “Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is not necessarily adopting other faith practices as much as being open to seeing God’s work through the different faith practices of others.”
“Necessities”
So far, this experience has helped me understand how much we think we “need”. I’ve never thought I would have to take a freezing cold bucket shower in my life but it’s the only thing we have had available to us so far. It is just a bunch of cold water in a bucket and you use a cup to get it out and pour it on yourself. You get used to it after a couple cups.
Sometimes there is not enough food to fill the stomach. The first few days, we had classic food everyone loves, however they started to try to get us used to not having the best food in different countries.
For example, we had India Day where we could only eat with our hands because that’s what they do in India. They explained that in India, they only eat with their right bare hand because they use their left one for the restroom…
As a picky eater, I have to say this has been pretty difficult but I need to learn to love more foods somehow.
Not using electronics is so refreshing.
I say all of this to bring it back to my main point: we think we need way more than we really do. At the end of the day, we don’t need fancy showers, fancy food, and most of the time we don’t need to be on our phones. Being fully present with one another in community and diving into Jesus’ word brings an undeniably deeper happiness to life than people realize.
Thank you to all of you for your love and support! If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments down below and I will answer them ASAP.
Love and miss you all <3
-Gabe
P.S. this is my Squad 🙂
Love your widening horizons Gabe. Also love what Uncle David said.
I love lots of flavors of Christianity….just like ice cream ??
Prayin for you!
GOD IS SO GOOD! So happy for you and so so so proud of you – miss you muchly and can’t wait to here moreeee
Warm water and a heater ARE necessities to your mother; reasons number 97 & 98 why I will not serve as a long time missionary in other countries.
You ARE the best looking one in the group…don’t tell them I said that.
I would LOVE for God to give you the gift of healing…that would be super handy for my back when you get home.
Praying for you daily from my comfy recliner in my temperature controlled house that you would become a mature Christian like me. Praise God I can bloom from where I am planted (as my Aunt Lisa taught me).
Love,
your short sided mother ; )
Sooooo good to read your update. Truly life changing it sounds like even in 2 weeks time. Will continue to pray for you.
Gabe, we are so proud of you “stepping out” and how you are working with your team and leaders! We can’t wait to see all that Jesus will do in and through you over the next year. Keep it up my friend!
Hahahahaha
Gabe, it is great to hear that you are being stretched and challenged in your faith. I also have had the opportunity to spend time with those who share the experiences with Christ like the others on your team. Please remember these two things as you press on. First, love is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit and needs to be on display with your team mates and with those back home and with those who God leads you to on this journey. Second, watch out for pride as you learn and grow it is easy to see yourself as a “better” believer than those you have left behind. You are not, you are just a sinner saved by God’s grace like everyone else as we are all equal at the foot of the cross.
Just like Ice cream! Great example, thank you 😉
Thank you so dang much! I miss you already and can’t wait to see you again 😉
HA very funny mother 😉
God is so good, thank you so much!!
Can’t wait to be with y’all again for debrief! Y’all are such a blessing :))
I completely agree, I will definitely have to have many heart checks. Thank you for your advice, I will keep it close to my heart!
Gabe, Grandma and I are so proud of you and what you are doing! You are in our daily prayers! I echo what Dave and Brian wrote and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide, help and protect in your life’s journey! And remember to always give thanks for the little things in life like a cup to use to pour the cold water over your head! Love ya! Grandpa
Yes for sure! Need to make sure to be thankful just that God gave me another day to live and breathe. Love and miss you both grandma and grandpa!
I like the pics, good stuff. You do have an awesome group of guys to do life with over this next part of your life. So glad to see you are rolling with all the changes, which can be intimidating! You’re in a great place to learn many things you’ve never heard before, continue to draw near to your new brothers and the Word.
Thank you so much Matt! It is truly an honor to have you as a coach. Thank you again 🙂
Gabe, what an awesome week! God is already showing you all the things you don’t need and to be fully present brings so much joy. I love your Uncle Dave’s saying. God is going to show you so much of who He is and what He is doing, and you get to be part of it all. I can’t wait to hear more as you journey with Him.
Thank you so much! It’s an honor to have you as one of our coaches. Can’t wait to share with you guys what God has and is doing 🙂
Hey Gabe! It’s been a month since we both left for our new journeys and I just wanted to let you know Chicago is amazing! (let me know if you ever want to come visit) I have bragged about the amazing work you are doing for the Kingdom to all of my friends and they are all praying for you too. I hope you are leaning more about yourself and the world we live in (I definitely am), because it can get kind of crazy, but in the midst of the crazy and learning and new experiences and missing home don’t forget how resilient you are. You were made in the Image of God to do God’s work throughout the kingdom. You stepped up and you stepped out in faith and courage. You did the hard thing. Keep choosing change, even though it can be scary, it will always teach you new lessons that will point you back to the love of Jesus. God is transforming you from the inside out to spread the perfect plan of shalom God has for our broken world. Keep letting Him change you. (Romans 12:12) You have a community in so many places who are praying for you daily, don’t forget how loved and appreciated you are. I hope the stars are beautiful where you are. Missing ya -Jackie 🙂
Jackie! I miss you lots. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I can’t thank you enough for always being so loving! I would love to come visit sometime when I get the chance 😉
I hope you are having an amazing time at college and can’t wait to hear all about how God has changed your world! I hope it’s filled with so much peace, Spirit-filled community, love and amazingness. Can’t wait to see you next summer!! :))