Training Camp is 10 days of intense emotional, physical, and spiritual stretching. Where in all elements you feel as if you are going to break, snap, or you can’t handle anymore, but then there is God who meets you in the middle of all those growing pains. Everyday at Training Camp (TC) looked a little different, and there are going to be some details I won’t share because I know that future World Racers are reading blogs and they need to experience TC for what it is, and just trust God that it will be an amazing experience.
While at TC we experienced the delicious food of the continents we are traveling to. Port-a-potties aren’t that bad after a few days. We had stimulations of sleeping arraignments. Squad building exercises. Listened to some amazing speakers. Forming our teams of 5-8 people. Formed brand new but life long friendships. Ate waaaay to much chocolate. Late night giggles. Built Tent City. And we created space for God to move.
So…Here are my 11 things I learned from training camp!
1. Let go of all expectations of what will happen at TC, on the World Race, or even in life. I am such a list maker and a detailed person and that was not given to us at TC nor will it be that way on the Race. Be flexible and let God do His thing, IT WILL BE OKAY.
2. The people on T-Squad are the hardest lovers I have ever met! There are about 47 people on my Squad and God has showered me with perfect strangers who are now life long friends. Community is so important in your walk with God.
3. A running theme at Adventures in Missions is to give God the space to do His thing in your life. I am now embracing this. Giving God the space to let His Holy Spirit move in me. To listen for Him, and trust His voice.
4. One of the TC staff had a conversation with some of the women on our squad about the concept of us being Princesses. He said this… “ I think most women today thinks that a princess has to have a tiara, and a beautiful ball gown, but when I look at women who are Princesses of God, I see them riding on a strong horse, with armor on, waving their sword to fight the battle for God like a warrior.” I AM A WARRIOR PRINCESS FOR GOD! I am ready to fight this battle.
5. I have a voice and a story that comes from God. I have to trust and believe that I am capable of using it. My story is worthy of being told and heard.
6. Squatting to use the bathroom is a true skill. I am actually excited to master this over the next 11 months.
7. The World Race isn’t my identity but it is my platform to listen to the calling that God is pushing me toward. God will fuel those dreams and passions, so that I am able to run after them with abandonment.
8. I need to be 100% absent from my home life, so that I can be 100% present on the race. Leaving everything from material things and emotional things at home. This is so that I can love my team, squad, and the nations fiercely with the love that my Heavenly Father has given me.
9. How to say “See ya later” well. Grieving home, friends, family, and church is perfectly normal and what it looks like to do it in a healthy way.
10. Finding alone time at TC was hard and will be harder on the Race. In some countries I will have to fight for that alone time with Jesus.
11. My Team Exuberant Peace is amazing! Peace dose not mean that you are passive, but that our presence says all it. Each woman on our team has fought for the peace we have in our lives. We are warriors and I know that every where we go, we will touch people’s lives with the peace that Jesus has left with us.
