I can't believe I am a week into training already! The time has gone by so fast and it has been so fun to meet everyone on my squad. It is truly an amazing thing to be surrounded by people who are just chasing after Jesus.

Training camp has been full of teaching sessions, squad time, community during meals, and worship. Training camp is very busy but the Lord is working and preparing us for ministry. As a squad, we are connecting quickly and I cannot wait for our relationships to continue to grow and build each other up. Within the squad I am apart of a team of six other guys and it's crazy how fast you connect when you live together. I am full of love for my brothers in Christ and am excited to spend the next nine months serving the Lord beside them. As a team, we are starting to work together better and better and a learning each others strengths and weaknesses. During camp we did a team exercise that involved trust, communication, and listening to one another; and we crushed it! We haven't decided on a team name yet but its coming...

As a full squad we have done two exercises to learn how to work together. One of which was a marketplace scenario which was super chaotic but awesome at the same time. The squad needed to grab dinner and be out of the market place in 15 minutes all while the streets were crowed with vendors, homeless people, thieves, and crazy people. It was a lot happening at once and definitely showed the squad a lot. Personally, I learned that I need to be more intentional on reaching other people and sharing Gods love rather than being hyper focused on the task at hand. The second exercise was a team hike to the top of a beautiful mountain with an incredible sunset. While at the top, we made dinner and spent a lot of fellowship with one another. I cannot wait to see beautiful views like this in other countries!

To be completely honest I still wonder how I ever decided to go on a nine month missions trip. I used to rarely want to leave home and now I am just at the start of long and beautiful journey. I truly believe that I was made for such a time as this, and that God will use my team in wonderful ways. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will use my team and I during domestic ministry and in Greece!

During morning devotionals, I was reading Psalm 136 which talked about the steadfast love of the Lord. I thought it would be cool if I created my own version, so here is Psalm 136 but Blaze edition...

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good

For His steadfast love endures forever

To him who healed my broken soul

For His steadfast love endures forever

To Him who laid down His life to give me mine

For His steadfast love endures forever

To Him who brings healing to my heart

For His steadfast love endures forever

To Him who gives grace without payment

For His steadfast love endures forever

And loves unconditionally

For His steadfast love endures forever

To Him who qualifies the chosen

For His steadfast love endures forever

And delights in His children's obedience

For His steadfast love endures forever

Give thanks to the God of heaven

For His steadfast love endues forever.

Prayer Request:

1- Strong unity that is rooted in love for each other on my team.

2- Good rest while sleeping in tents!

3- Health for my sprained ankle.

With love,

Blaze