I’m sitting on my futon in my house. My friends from a job I worked and was fired from three years ago graciously have opened their home to me this summer until I leave for the trip. They’ve wrestled with me and loved me well, and I am incredibly thankful for them.
I’m sitting here on this futon while hip-hop beats drop heavy in my headphones, trying to put into words this last week I’ve been sleeping so long lately, was absolutely tuckered out at training camp.
There’s a lot I can’t talk about for future racers out there, training camp should be a surprise. However here is some of my experience.
John Michael on day 1, we all yell at him to climb this pole because he is a human-monkey-climbing machine. He is resistant but submits due to peer pressure. Don’t worry, we had a spotter (not really) but he was only like 20 ft high.
We erected a triple hammock bunkbed, a personal goal of mine fulfilled.
Here is my entire K Squad decked out in our team colors, red.
Carly from L Squad! My sister from the Village Church in Denton, TX.
The men of K- Squad. We’re vastly outnumbered, 40 girls and 14 men, so we have to stick together.
Terin, one of my best friends who originally was the tool the Lord used to introduce me to the World Race surprised me this week and volunteered ALL WEEK. Many laughs were shared.
This is my team. The 7 people I will be spending the race with.
Basically, our squad of about fifty or so will all travel together to each country. Then, the separate teams will divide and do their months ministry for about four weeks, then all the teams will return together and go from there to the next country. I know a lot of people were surprised and confused by their team compilations but my team is by far a DREAM TEAM these cats are the coolest and I am very excited for this year.
Essentially during training camp, we spent a week in Georgia working through our relationships with the Lord, our issues in the past and future, and a variety of team building exercises to construct good relationships and teams and prepare you to go overseas. I can’t say much more about what happened on here, but if you ask me in person I’d love to share with you some of the crazy things we did. That ish was bananas.
These two yahoos were a blessing throughout this week. Teammates and homies, who adore scifi, jesus, and comics. Honestly, what more do you need in a friendship?
After I arrive at camp I quickly realize that my hiking bag I was recommended and purchased at REI six months ago is absolutely not the bag for me. So my homie Andy “PopRocks” Popplewell, a childhood friend who I visit often, gave me his boy scout hiking bag and it’s perfect AND IT’S BLACK.
YES.
YES.
YES.
My biggest complaint about my last bag, outside it wasn’t big enough or even suitable for what I am doing, is that it doesn’t come in greyscale or black.
Why even bother if it isn’t black?
It’s perfect. Thanks Poppy!
Going into Training Camp I was pretty distant and guarded. Over the week I faced really challenging theological differences, and concern on environment. I never want to be put into a situation where I am being manipulated by sleep deprivation or lack of food or music/lights/environment/call-and-response energy, etc. If the Spirit moves, I want it to be genuine and am super aware of if something seems fishy. And there were moments like that this week. I was on guard and skeptical on a lot of things. This probably prevented some initial growth but over the weeks total time I learned a lot about myself, the Lord and my teammates. I miss them dearly and it’s only been a few days since I’ve seen them.
This next month before I leave will be the toughest month against Spiritual Warfare.
I’ve already experienced a lot since October and apparently it gets worst, and I’ve seen the rotten fruit of that since I’ve been back already. If you pray, pray for that. Also pray I don’t get sick before or on the trip. The enemy is going to do WHATEVER he can to stop or slow this down. Historically I’ve gotten sick right before mission trips, so just want to be on guard and protected in that.
To ensure community and fostering a positive and accountable environment, I’m leaving for tour with my friends ministry-focused band called Mouth of the South next week. Then am traveling to Portland, so if you’re in Denton I’ll be back the 21st for about a week or two before I leave for the trip.
Hit me up, let’s get some sushi and hangout.
I love you guys, thanks for believing in me.
-J
