"Training camp is going to rock your world."
I have been hearing or seeing these words ever since I first started looking into going on the World Race.
When I first considered the WR, I gave minimal thought to training camp and preparation in general. Sure, I thought and prayed and wondered about how to raise all the money, but all the other stuff…gear, international medical insurance, immunizations, renewing my passport, training camp, etc….received minimal thought, as I assumed it would all just work itself out.
And God is good, and so it has….but not without lots of time, money, research, and commitment to all the details. And now, with training camp just 4 days away, I am beginning to get the first few twinges of nervousness as to what this "rock your world" is going to mean, exactly.
In order to include my supporters and readers in this whole process, here is an inside look at a few tidbits of what I have been told to expect at training camp, from either the website, my personal training info, or thoughts from WR alumni:
This week will be filled with cultural training (how to dress, eat, communicate) and ministry skills training. We’ll ask questions such as:
– What is the Gospel?
– How can relationships open doors to introducing people to Christ?
– How will the Spirit of God lead us to these opportunities?
The first thing we are going to do is shrink your world.
– Who are you?
– Who does God intend you to be?
– How has your journey brought you here?
Next we help grow your world back the right way – by bringing those supporting you into your sphere of relationship.
– Who are you traveling alongside?
– What does God-centered community look like?
– What can your friends and family do to support this endeavor?
The world is so much bigger than we give it credit for. We’ll discuss the underground church, the legitimate travesty that is human trafficking, the AIDS epidemic in the countries of Africa and the desperate need for churches around the world.
This week is not for the faint of heart. Come ready to rough it, get your hands dirty, live in close quarters with people that will soon be considered family and come ready to allow the Spirit of God to move in a new way.
"God broke me. It was the most horrifying, yet amazing thing I have ever experienced."
"Some people do all they need to…buy gear, fundraise, receive immunizations….and then decide not to go after they experience training camp."
"So far I have met incredible people, slept under the stars, and engaged in some of the best worship of my life. Okay, so I also killed a scorpion next to my bed, ate sardines in rice water for breakfast, and haven't showered in four days. But it has one of the most amazing weeks of my life."
I have also heard or been told that my entire perception of the WR is going to change during training camp, that the week is going to feel like it lasts a month, and that I will be forced out of my comfort zone at every turn. They do not give us a schedule or agenda to speak of, because realistically on the WR plans will change moment-to-moment.
We will eat the way we will eat on the trip, worship with and hear preaching from people from the countries we will go to, and form bonds that will last a lifetime with our squad….none of whom I have met at this point.
We will learn what it really means to call on the Holy Spirit to heal and guide the way He did in Biblical times, because He still wants to work in and through us, but we so rarely embrace that.
We will also be taught the rules and expectations of the WR, which includes, in short: no drama, no romance, no gossip, no pity-parties, no selfishness, no "me me me". This is 11 months of living in constant community, giving each other "feedback" (i.e. constructive criticism), and together learning how to always let Christ shine through us.
Coming from a very conservative, southern-Baptist upbringing, this is all sounding pretty radical and crazy to me, to be quite honest. I have grown up, like so many of my peers, with the idea that worshiping is reading words off of a screen or out of a book while the choir does the real work of actually singing. Praying is nice and to be done regularly, but I never really comprehended the power of prayer, and the more I think about it, the less I do. I hope that I will learn and understand more and more about the power of prayer in the next year.
I am quite certain that a lot of people that will follow me on this journey are going to become convinced I have joined some crazy cult. Dance and sing and pray until I cry, all as a means of solely WORSHIPPING God? Live out of a backpack and quit my job and eat rice for 11 months to tell people about Jesus? "For Pete's sake, Bethany, get a hold of yourself! God didn't call you to act like a fool and get yourself thrown into a mental institution! Now act like you've got some sense and go back to work and get married and have children and put more money into your 401-K and make sure you get your teeth cleaned twice a year!" This is what I imagine people will probably say or think at some point.
But I can tell you one thing I HAVE realized and know to be true beyond all the uncertainties: Jesus did not ask us to be fans, who stand in the crowd and cheer Him on. He called us to FOLLOW Him and DO as He did. (Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman: read it.) I can not think of a better place or way to do that in my own personal life right now than on the WR. And next week I will begin learning how I will do this.
I am going to have the immense pleasure of standing up at the altar as a bridesmaid and representing two people I care deeply about at a wedding on Saturday. I am so honored and excited to watch Kelly and Kevin, two of my best friends, take a covenant with God and each other and begin their walk with Christ as one. After that, I will be making the nine-hour trek to Georgia for training camp and will spend a week camping with my squad as we get our worlds rocked.
Can't wait to tell yall all about it when I get back! 🙂
Here are some of the beautiful ladies I will be celebrating the marriage of kelly and kevin with! The lovely bride is the towards the left on the back row, the beautiful blond in the greenish-blue dress.
