We arrived Wednesday by train early afternoon and started with a few group rules and games, then we loaded up a trailer with our backpacks strapped with sleeping bags, mats and giant water bottles. We got into a van and were driven to an unknown to us location. That was where the journey really began. We would walk a ways then stop to play a team building game then walk some more. I knew there was a really good chance we would be spending the night in the woods, but I was talking to God all day just begging for something similar to a camp ground that had bathrooms! After about 3 miles of hiking with our heavy bags we entered a city and inside I was jumping for joy thinking "Thank you Jesus I won't have to sleep or pee in the woods!" Well premature rejoicing on my part. Next we played a game where we were blindfolded and had to hold onto each other. We each had 30seconds to look and run to the end point which had been described to us. We finally made it up the hill, under a metal railing and further up a hill. We finally got to the top and low and behold, we were back in the woods. We loaded our bags into the trailer which was waiting for us and had brought us our camping equipment. We also had a fun situation of the van and trailer getting stuck in mud, but after that was all done we were off to our sleeping location for the night- a big chunk of woods in the middle of a huge field! We gathered firewood and started tying up tarps for tents and for a somewhat private "bathroom" aka a hole in the group. I must say the biggest challenge for me that day was that we had to pee in the woods. Anyways, after we had made a fire, a "bathroom" and a huge tarp tent to cover the ground where we would all be sleeping, we made food. Ham and cheese sandwiches toasted over the fire! I was so hungry that it was like having grilled cheese for the first time. I basically inhaled them. The next fun situation was sleeping on an incline. I woke up to the side and below my sleeping mat. It was freezing cold though so at least I still was curled up in my sleeping bag with my towel covering my face. I think I only got about 4 hours of sleep that night, so the 6am wake up was not exciting, but we laughed and continued to try to wake up. One of our leaders sat up and said, "Did someone get the number of the car that hit me?" At first we were all confused, then we got up and realized that we all felt like we had been run over by something. Later it was announced that we were packing up everything, so again I was thinking "PLEASE God let us be going back to the base." Sure enough we walked less than a mile, and we were back at the base. We were then shown our rooms and the bathroom and shower- hallelujah! Don't get me wrong, the camping was really quite fun, and we all had some great laughs, but I was ready to be clean and warm.
We had a little break and the for the remainder of the day we did the low ropes course, which was super fun! It was definitely challenging, but so fun. The trick was there were 10 sections that were all connected, and team A and B (according to outreach teams) started on opposite ends. If you fell off, you got a blindfold for your team, which makes the course way more difficult. Our team was doing great and made it through the first half without any blindfolds, then of course I fell off the rope swing. That moment sucked. The guy in charge then said to the team "Who is going to take the blindfold?" I thought it would automatically be given to me, but it was first offered to the team which sucked even more. I didn't want anyone to have to take it, but I also knew that if I was blindfolded I would probably fall again. So luckily, Juan took the blindfold since he was pretty well balanced and good at holding on. It was a humbling moment, and I was thankful for my leader being willing to take my blindfold. By the end, a few more people had blindfolds which meant slower movement and clearer communication was key. I was the first one to the very end and was standing just helping another blindfolded teammate off when another fell. Luckily, I was able to take the blindfold then hop down and finish. Thanks to Luke and Mark who did an excellent job of guiding the team through the course. Everyone stuck together, and we finished happily as a more unified team.
Later we did two parts of the high ropes course. I wasn't able to do the first because I had injured my shoulder during the climb and had a big swollen knot that couldn't take anymore pulling. So I cheered as my YWAM family climbed up a tree and across a wire holding only onto 5 little ropes each hanging quite a ways apart. Second, we did a giant swing which was super fun. You are harnessed in and they pull you up, then you release the pulling rope and go flying! It was awesome.
The last night we made some awesome fresh pizzas and ate way to much! We were all so hungry and tired. We cleaned up and went to bed for probably the most needed sleep ever. I don't think I've ever fallen asleep so quickly in my life. The next morning we got up and the base had made us an incredible breakfast! There were some delicious scrambled eggs, rolls, hot chocolate and more! After that we made our lunches, did a final team building time, then loaded back up onto the trains to go home.
Back in the River House we quickly unloaded our smokey clothes and started the dash for the washer. This weekend was a busy one. Lots of laundry, cleaning and trying to figure out what we need to preplan for outreach packing. Last night Mark and I cooked "American dinner" of grilled chicken, potatoes, fruit salad, and apple pie! It was delicious and so nice to be outside!
Anyways, this is our last lecture week! Crazy, huh? Our teaching is on destiny and calling, which I'm super excited for! I think it's going to be a great final lecture week here! Plus my birthday is on Wednesday, so that is really exciting as well! I already have a couple packages from home that came today and another that should be here tomorrow. I'm super thankful for friends and family back home that sent me stuff! It's nice that it will still somewhat feel like my birthday even though I'm on the other side of the world far from my family and friends celebrating the big 21. I must say it feels somewhat silly to celebrate my 21st in Europe where I'm already legal and pubs are totally casual, but oh well. I'm looking forward to a great day surrounded by my YWAM fam!
Last but not least... outreach! Please be praying! Last minute visa stuff is still not quite finished for some and others are still waiting on finances to come through. We know God will provide! As of last week over 3,000euro was shared amongst our group all supporting each other as best we can! It's awesome to see how God is blessing this DTS, and we trust that He will continue to do so. We leave next Monday morning, which is scary but also extremely exciting! So please also be praying for safe travels for both teams. Team A (my team) will be traveling by train, and Team B will be driving a van to Serbia, so prayers of smooth travels and no car problems would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much, as always! Y'all are awesome!
See you all in 3 months! XO
:)
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