I gave my parents one last hug before turning my back to board the plane that took me to training camp. A paradox of emotions seemed to be clashing inside of me as I sat down and stared out the plane window. I was anxious about the unknown and yet had perfect peace.
After landing, I made my way to baggage claim and noticed a girl unzipping an oversized duffle bag. By her pack I could tell she was a world racer, and after a quick introduction I followed her over to a group of people making themselves comfortable in the middle of the airport.
On the other side of the airport’s couches and chairs, a colony of blue (our squad color) peered at me: my squad. I took a breath and kept reminding myself that I belonged and I was supposed to be here as I timidly made my way over to meet the people I’d been stalking on social media.
Anxiety and peace continued to settle over me as I took my first steps to meet the people I’ll be doing life with in 2017. A friendly face turned toward me, and I found myself locking eyes with a girl who had an aura of warmth and sweet excitement. “Hi, I’m Ariane,” I said my first introduction.
I would quickly realize that the ability to feel anxious and peace at the same time would be a reoccurring theme for me during the rest of training camp.
Training camp, training camp, training camp! Where to even begin??? It was one of the most difficult, challenging, amazing ten days I’ve ever experienced. I won’t give away all the details out of respect for any future world racers who may read this blog, but I will say that training camp freakin’ kicked my butt.
The first part of our training focused on our individual relationship with God, and the second part transitioned into our relationship with each other and how to live in a healthy community, and the last part of training focused on how to cultivate tools to apply to ministry on the field.
Each day consisted of three teaching sessions, and team building activities (which focused on our squad as whole at first, then focused on breaking us up into smaller teams of 6-8). What we ate depended on the theme of the day which included: Asia, Latin America, Europe, India, and Africa (among other surprises). On four nights of our training, the staff introduced us to a field scenario, which basically means something that could happen on the field, and we then had the opportunity to experience it in a safe learning environment.
Our first scenario we were told to pack up all of our belongings and give everything but our daypacks to the staff. They didn’t tell us anything about what was going to happen, but I remember feeling sick because I had packed up my bag, pad, pillow, and toiletries in the pack I’d been forced to hand over and there was no retrieving anything. The scenario was that our squad was traveling to Mozambique and half of us lost our luggage during the flight.
Among our 46 squad members at the time, only 23 of us had packs and tents. So the people with our packs paired up with people who didn’t have anything. God was gracious to me, and let me be one of the 23 who was spared having their luggage getting “lost”. My tent buddy was none other than the first girl I met at the airport, Becky, who had an amazing attitude about being stripped of her all her stuff (she also happens to be on my team).
Being introverted, it was difficult for me to not have time to breakaway and quietly process everything God was doing at training. I was exhausted physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I came away feeling like I had gone through a month of training rather than 10 days worth.
I just couldn’t get myself out of the uncomfortable feeling of being suspended between anxiety and peace. I found myself doubting if I was even capable of completing 11 months on the mission field and whatever that would bring…then it hit me. I can’t do this, I’m not able to do what God is asking me to do, and I’m not supposed to be able to do it. God will do it through me, He will do it through me, and He’s supposed to do it because it’s all for His glory and not mine.
I never thought I was capable of doing as many things as I did at training camp, and yet I did them. I not only survived, but I thrived during training and grew so much spiritually and as a person. It was the discomfort of growing pains I was experiencing, and the uncomfortable position of being caught between anxiety and peace only opened a door for the Holy Spirit to comfort me.
Bask in the uncomfortable positions God allows into your life, because it’s in these sweet moments that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to be the Comforter in the midst of growing pains.
Introducing my team God’s Magnolias!!!! These are the ladies I will be doing life and ministry with (the teams may get changed up at some point during the eleven months). Front Row: Me, Becky Second Row: Rebecca, Alisha, Katie, Kayce
As of right now, this is the team who will be partnering with my team during our first month. We will be in Mozambique working with an organization called Africa on Fire Ministries. We will be serving the local community of Chibuto. This ministry is currently building two of twelve houses for an orphanage and a school building. Our outreach will be to women, youth, and children.
Our entire squad on our last day
Our team dressed in our squad color of blue on the last day
Africa day!!! The women served the men and had to sit on the floor while the men sat at tables
Our campsite!
After every meal each squad took turns washing the dishes
