Training Camp. Ten days. Six squads. Field scenarios. Tents. Bonding. Healing. Transformation. Learning.
When my parents picked me up at the airport after TC they asked, “How was Training Camp?” Short version: intense & life-changing. God showed up in big ways; he healed some wounds and asked me to be vulnerable with new friends way more quickly than I was comfortable with…but it was so freeing.
I could go on & on about the stories, all the minute details, and the things I learned (like needing to pack way less).
Instead I’d like to share the story of my fitness requirement because it was a major turning point for me at Training Camp. It consisted of walking 3 miles with our big packs (mine was around 40 lbs) in 50 minutes or less.
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The fitness walk was on Friday (day 3) and up to that point Training Camp was very lonely for me. Making friends quickly is not a strong suit of mine & my prayers had focused a lot on asking God to give me peace & help me find my place. There were many moments that I had to remind myself that God called me to the World Race & that he was in control. Basically it was rough.
We had our walk after our sausage and potato lunch (that came back to haunt me) on a hot and cloudless day. After getting into groups of 6 we waited to be given our start time and then waited to head out. My group was excited but all I could focus on was breathing and trying not to be sick.
At last our start time arrived and we were off! The walk began with a steep hill, one that had killed me when we practiced the previous morning. As we walked up I quickly fell behind my group. Once I conquered the hill I kept going at a steady pace but saw my group slowly disappear in the distance. By the time I reached the entrance of the property the group that began after me were hustling by, saying bits of encouragement and moving forward. I could see two people from the last group in front of me & I tried with all my might to keep them in sight, hoping that if I could see them then I was doing alright.
Then I was alone.
I was hot, my calves ached, my bag felt 10 times heavier, and my spirits were lower than they had been in a long time.
Satan kept bringing terrible thoughts into my mind. “You can’t do this. You’ll have to go home. You’ll have to face your friends and family and tell them you have failed. You should give up now.” On and on it went. All I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and cry.
I begged God to get me through this. My spirit & body felt so weak and I didn’t think I could make it on my own, I knew that my strength alone was not enough.
Finally, after what felt like hours, I made it to the halfway point, got some water and turned around. My body was still screaming at me but my mind felt better knowing that I was over halfway. Occasionally I lost sight of the two people ahead of me but most of the time I could still spot them.
Then I saw another squad coming toward me. I tried to encourage them (it probably sounded pitiful since I was so out of breath) and before I knew it some of them had actually passed me. That didn’t help my inner monologue but I kept going, continuing to ask God for strength.
Toward the end one of the volunteers started walking with me. He informed me that I had 10 minutes to make it to the finish line. He told me I was so close, that I couldn’t see the entrance to the property yet but I was nearly there and once I hit that I would practically be done. He kept walking with me, encouraging me to keep my pace and challenging me to pick it up a bit.
My mind was still conflicted; Satan was doing his best to squash out the hope that this volunteer was bringing. But with his encouragement I found myself turning onto the property’s road with 3 minutes to go. At that point I really felt like I could make it. We walked past my campsite, then the lodge, then before I knew it we were at the top of the dreaded hill. I had one minute.
The volunteer encouraged me to run but when I tried it felt like I couldn’t breath. I was so close but I physically could not run. Then something completely amazing happened. I saw two of my squad-mates, Steph and Joni, running up the hill toward me. At this point my body felt like it was going to give out on me, now I’m a bit dramatic at times, but this is the only time in my life that I thought I would collapse, I had no strength left to give.
Before I knew it Steph and Joni linked arms with me and helped me jog down the hill!
They kept telling me that the finish line was right there. “Look you can see it! You’ve made it this far, don’t give up now!”
When we got to the end one of the staff took my start time. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know just yet…emotionally I didn’t think I could handle getting bad news.
Guess what time I got.
Exactly 50 minutes!
The rest is a bit of a blur. I’m fairly positive that Steph and Joni helped me get my pack off. A staff member gave me a granola bar. My heart felt like it would burst with relief and gratitude. I was crying and shaking. God showed up in a HUGE way!
My squad was praying for those still walking. When I was at my weakest he sent people to encourage me. Not only that, he sent Steph and Joni to literally take my arms and help me run.
God blew Satan out of the water that day. When Satan played a loop of defeat in my head God showed up in a tangible way and confirmed that this next year is exactly where he wants me. He used my weakness to speak truth into my life. I am not alone. He is my strength. My squad is family…“family means no one gets left behind.”
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Also, I would like to introduce you to my fabulous team! Meet Worthy Warriors:
Left to Right: Bethany (Me), Kelsey G., Cat, Jenna, Desiree, Kelsey R.
Please continue to pray while we prepare to share Christ with the nations!
