Domestic ministry was so redemptive! All of our gap year squads travelled down to Adrian, Georgia to help establish a disaster relief base! A sweet camp called "Camp Adrian" has kindly allowed the Adventures Relief team to share their space and we were able to completely renovate it in just a week! This place exuded peace and southern hospitality is soooo real. While this week was so special, Q-squad had some bumps in the road.

Crippling Q Squad

Since we all got here, Q-squad has made a total of 9 emergency room trips, and 7 of these were all in Adrian. One of the guys on our team has accounted for 3 of these visits due to severe dehydration. Other visits have been because of sickness, torn tendons, infectious bites, etc. Not to mention the fact that we ALL still have colds. Satan is trying to get us down but Q squad is gonna come out victorious with Jesus on our side. Be praying!!

Camp Adrian

On the bright side... domestic was so restful. After training camp we were all drained emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Pulling up to Camp Adrian and seeing that we had CABINS with AC and MATTRESSES was the biggest luxury ever. We were incredibly blessed by the delicious array of food they so kindly provided for us every day (it literally brought tears to our eyes on the first night). It was so fun to be able to stay in bunks with everyone. We had sweet talks and journal time before bed. I personally was blessed by the nice walking loop and wifi that they had. I used the opportunity to call my family and friends every single day while I could. I would walk and talk, afternoon and evening. Most days I got over 20,000 steps! There wasn't much room for that at training camp! Talking to my family has really helped with my homesickness.  It's been so good to be able to press into them when things are still so hard and crazy. It was truly beautiful there. Every day I was so in awe of the Mossy Oaks and sunsets. It made me excited to be in awe of all the other beautiful creation the Lord is going to show me these next few months.

Ministry

For ministry this week, my team got assigned to kitchen duty! They had 2-3 chefs but needed extra hands to prepare food and wash dishes for such a large group. My team LOVED THIS. We immediately bonded with the kitchen staff whose names were Karen and Kenny (otherwise known as Big Teaspoon). Although it was such a short time we got to hang with them, I'll never forget the stories they shared and all the laughs we had. They trained us up so well and my team was a well oiled machine by the end of the week. It was so sweet to take part in feeding everyone, and just how grateful they were for the food. One of the days, we got pulled from the kitchen to help declutter and organize a shed. Karen and Kenny missed us though and requested us back :)

Taco Bell Testimony!

During domestic, we took a late night trip to Taco Bell! Of course I was loving this but it ended up being way more of a blessing than I expected. We were able to witness to and pray for 3 people. We started the conversation with a worker and I could tell his heart was wrestling with the idea of God. He asked lots of questions, but was very skeptical. We just wanted to love him well and explain the gospel. While this was happening, another guy in the taco bell came over just out of curiosity. We were able to then pray for him and his friend. Such a productive night in Taco Bell, and so sweet to do it alongside my squad.

Debrief

After our domestic mission, we travelled back to Gainesville to stay at the AIM Base just for a few days. This serves as a buffer to rest and debrief before we get on our plane to Guat! So far it's been super sweet. We've had lots of quality time getting ice cream, watching movies, and playing card games. We set up our tent village under the pavilion rather than in the woods which has been so fun! Me and Bri have been sleeping in our hammock bunks.

How The Lord is Speaking!

The Lord is really working in my heart in a lot of ways. He's teaching me how to press into people. Whether that is those far away who have continually loved me so well, or those that are nearby and I'm still learning to do life with! The Lord has really shown me how beautiful it is that I have such community from afar. They have been constantly in prayer, caring for me, and encouraging me. I am truly in awe of the way The Lord has provided for me in that way. And I feel comforted that my community is not something I have to neglect the next 9 months! Y'all have come alongside me in this journey, it's something we get to do together! And it's sweet to know I have so much to come back to!

The Lord has been highlighting "being still" to me. Being still is something essential in a believer's life to hear and know the Lord. You would think this would come easier to me now, as I've left a lot of distractions behind at home. However this isn't the case. I have noticed that anytime I am still, I am overcome with anxiety. When I am alone and have time to think, my thoughts really spiral. It's been genuinely so hard. I am focusing on meditating on the words of The Lord. Turning my anxiety into prayer. Being in constant communication with my Father. I am praying that He delivers me from this severe anxiety. It sometimes hinders me on the day to day. It's a slow process of my mind adapting to this new way of life.

Stay Prayed Up

• pray for my deliverance from this intense anxiety.

• for the health and safety of my squad!

• for my family back home as they are walking through all this with me.

• for our travels to Guatemala! Our plane leaves Wednesday at 8:00 am!

• for our ministry in Guatemala. that we would flourish and be able to serve, love others well, and draw them to Christ.

I love you all! Thanks for reading and thanks for your prayers! I appreciate y'all staying updated on my life!

see ya in guate :)

greta