Training Camp
It's exactly what it sounds like and much more than you can imagine. You're going to get trained and you're going to camp out. Count on me to give it to you straight: it's not easy. It's not youth camp, and it's certainly not comfortable.
But it is like Disneyland for Jesus warriors. This training camp time is a vacation for your soul if you're a soldier for the Lord!
I'm going to obviously write about it from my perspective as a 30-something. I can't spoil the mystery for upcoming racers, so I'll just hint at what you may or may not come to expect. Enjoy!
What You Can Expect:
- sleepless nights (all of them)
- constipation (for like days)
- aches & pains (in places you didn't know existed)
- bugs (a lot of them)
- weather exposure (daily)
- bad hair days (seriously)
- early mornings (every day)
- body odor: feet, armpits & other unmentionables in close proximity to you
- carbohydrates for every meal
- super close-knit community living
- team building that can be fun or frustrating
- learning to embrace the unexpected
- learning to roll with the punches and let God lead
- putting others before yourself because you love them
- being challenged on all fronts: physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually
- introductory level principles for discipleship and missions
- if you're 30-something like me: you will be outnumbered by college-aged kids (that's a fact)
What Not To Expect:
- getting through camp without crying once (not going to happen)
- getting your way for anything (nope, not at all)
- never sharing or thinking you own everything you packed
- there is no "how to pack for mission 101" class (tough cookie)
- keeping your faith within a pristine, prim & proper Christian bubble (POP!)
- long sermons, liturgy or bible studies (this ain't seminary)
- keeping people who love you at a distance (death by hugs, truth & love encouraged)
- thinking you're going to get by without Jesus breaking you (it will happen at some point)
- feeling confident in what's going to happen next (guessing doesn't help)
In summary, training camp is FUN!
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1
