Due to the intensity of training camp, I will be writing a three-part series about my main takeaways. This is part one.
It’s 10:15 a.m. I’m searching for a bench to sit on, thinking about ways to put off the inevitable. With 39 pounds strapped to my body, I find an empty seat and unload the weight. I settle in and eat the snack I just purchased, not knowing when the next meal is going to come.
Within minutes, a girl sits a few seats down from me. I subtly eye her, observing the large pack and packed-to-the-max schoolbag. This has to be another racer. Sure enough, her name is Kelsey and she’s also heading to training camp.
Not being able to procrastinate any longer, I join her in looking for racers congregating at the rendezvous point. We turn a corner and find them, a mass of brightly colored racers with packs strewn everywhere. I search around for orange, and there they are: L squad.
Looking back, it’s nothing short of a miracle to see the relationships that formed in such a short time. These are my people, my tribe, my family. How can a group of 30 become like family in just 10 days?
Taking off masks
Imagine training camp as a giant pressure cooker filled with little sleep, strange and small-portioned food, no control over the schedule, and always being together. It’s hard to keep it together for 10 days. As our cracks began to show, we chose to let people in. I’m so thankful that our squad was brave enough to take off the masks we use to protect ourselves. Although there’s a risk of being rejected, it was incredible to see my squad respond in love found only in Christ.
Praying together
During different moments throughout the week, I felt Holy Spirit unifying us as we stood together, physically linked hand in hand or hand to shoulder, praying. Try remaining angry/annoyed/apprehensive with others as you pray for them. More often than not, God grows your compassion and ability to love. Now imagine doing that day in and day out.
Making a commitment
Towards the end of our time together, our squad made a formal commitment to one another, walking around verbalizing our “yes” to each squadmate. There is a “yes” in my heart to live intentionally with you. Yes, I will press in when things get tough. Yes, I will fight for you in prayer. Yes, we will sharpen each other like iron sharpens iron. Yes, you can remind me of this moment when I want to quit somewhere around month 7.
Bonding over everything else
Dance parties. Bucket showers. Torrential downpours. Porta Potties. Tent living. Perpetually being smelly. Lots of tears. Sometimes you just have to embrace the chaos and laugh together.
Holy Spirit
Ultimately, it all comes down to God. When you give Holy Spirit an opportunity to do His thing, He does. One of my (and your) prayers before training camp was to be unified in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12). God has blown my mind in answering this prayer by knitting together my L squad family. What was most unexpected was the fullness of life I experienced because we built community in Christ. Needless to say, I’m excited to run alongside of these brothers and sisters in the coming year.
“L Squad: Leaving a legacy of love.” ~Emily Spencer
Watch for my Training Camp, Part 2 blog in the coming days!
