9/10-9/23

Sorry in advance if my thoughts seem like there scattered.

Hey guys, here’s another update/couple things I learned in the past 2 weeks.

9/11 We found out we added another country and are going to Vietnam!

9/12 We had our first squad wars. It was a time where we battled against other squads in different games and really it was a time of growing closer together as a squad and a very fun time.

A couple days later, there were a couple strange things that happened around here which involved in spiritual warfare. Ever since I have been here, my eyes have been opened to the spiritual world and realizing more and more about how real it is. I just find it amazing that we are so wanted that the God of the universe and the devil are both fighting over our souls. Anyhow that being said the Lord came through (as usual) and gave us a peace like none other and we are realizing more and more that we have to lean our whole selves on the Lord even through our daily lives, not just when something huge comes up. Also around this time a couple of my squad mates got delivered from spiritual darkness and can think a lot more clearly. Praise the Lord!!If you would like more details just call me, also please pray for us as it is a battle we are not able to fight on our own.

We recently had a couple sessions about spiritual warfare, here are a couple of points that I got out of it and was reminded of again.  We learned about the power of words and how much they can affect each other. Proverbs 18:20, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. It was just a great reminder to watch what I say about other people people. And not to put down people and try to encourage them and always be lifting them up and pushing each other to Christ. Proverbs 15:4, A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the Spirit. A reminder to be gentle with your words so you don’t break down your friends and family’s spirit, but lift it. We also we taught on the topic of gossip and how wrong and unedifying it is to each other. If you have something wrong to say about something to someone, don’t go spreading things to others and try to downplay that person. It helps no one. Go to the Lord and seek his wisdom, as James 1:5 says, if you are looking for wisdom, ask the Lord for it and he wants to give it to you generously. We were given verses on how much the Lord hates gossip, and were told to keep each other accountable for it.

9/16 All the guys went on a “man hike.” We had to hike 7 miles, part of that we had to carry 2 tractor tires, a log and carry each person at least at some point. We also had to crabwalk the entire way and have someone blind folded the entire time as well. It was a great time of getting closer with my team.

9/19 We, as a squad, hiked up Mt. Yonah. It is a 2 mile hike to the top, and we were to do it with our packs. It was such an awesome hike because i love the outdoors and just seeing what the Lord created and seeing how creative He is. We spent the night on top and had a campfire, then hiked down at 7:30 in the morning. It was so nice and beautiful at the top and we got to see the sunrise.

9/22 A bunch of us went to urgent care because there was strep throat going on around here. Turns out most of us have it and we have to quarantine for 24 hrs, so it hopefully doesn’t spread through camp. If most of you guys know me I don’t necessarily like sitting around too much so, it kinda sucks.

Please pray for health around here so it doesn’t get any worse and so the Lord can heal us. Also Pray that we can learn to discern the Lords voice more and more and that we would continue to know his character and that our hearts would desire the things of the Lord’s heart.

I am also praying for you guys that all of you would grow deeper in your Faith and that these posts wouldn’t just be updates but that they would encourage all of you.Thanks for your prayers, Doug