For 5 years I have read blog posts about training camp and have wondered what it would be like to experience it. These blogs I have read are not very specific as to what happens at training camp which was always so frustrating for me. But as I sit here trying to figure out a way to share with you all what went down this past week, I finally understand why no blog about training camp goes into detail about what happens at training camp. It’s impossible. So many stories to tell, powerful God moments, and memories that were made to share in this one blog post. I cannot get over all that the Lord did this week. My heart is so full!
I’m not going to lie, it was hard. Parts of it even sucked a little bit. I was challenged, pushed, and stretched farther than I ever have been before. It was uncomfortable. It was unpredictable. I was forced out of my comfort zone multiple times, daily. We had no schedule of activities for the week but instead we went from day to day, moment to moment. Other than knowing the time we needed to be ready in the morning, we didn’t know what each day held.
It was physically demanding – we were sore for days. We ate strange foods. For example on Africa day, for breakfast our meal was cold french fries, a hard boiled egg, and an orange. It rained and got so cold, especially at night. I don’t think I have ever been so excited to see the sun when it finally did decide to come out. I got to spend the week sleeping in my tent which I loved. I brushed my teeth in the woods every morning and night….and I liked it. There was lots of campfire worship and prayer as a squad.
Jacie! It was a rain jacket + hat kind of day.
Camping out with my squates was the best.
I even had some firsts this week:
I slept in my hammock for a night. It was one of the best nights of sleep I had all week! (Thank you, Reid!)
I ate a lot of weird food and didn’t hate any of it. Granted it wasn’t always great, but I liked it enough to eat it. I can be a picky eater so this gave me hope for the next 11 months of my life! 🙂
I peed in the woods. Too much information?? Sorry.
This isn’t a first but I killed several spiders this week. This is a big deal for me because I normally freak out and yell for someone else to do the killing. Jesus is making me brave!
Just a small glimpse of our tent city. It was my home for the week.
And boy was there lots of Jesus. Powerful, intimate worship with the Lord. Lots of time spent in prayer.
Here are some ways the Lord stretched me this week:
I was reminded of my ridiculous need to do things on my own. Turns out, I am surrounded by people who do want to help. Who would have thought?! 🙂
I’m beginning to learn what living in community looks like – Loving each other well. Joyfully taking care of one another even when it inconveniences you. It’s a wonderfully amazing thing.
Stuff really isn’t all that important. I was one of the lucky ones (hence the sarcasm!) whose pack was taken away. I didn’t have a change of clothes, I didn’t have my tent, my sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, nothing. While it was the worst night by far (it was SO cold) the Lord showed me how much I depend on my things and my ability to provide for myself. In having my stuff taken away I noticed that it gave those who still had their things great joy to be able to lend us a pair of socks, a blanket, a place to sleep, toothpaste so we could brush our teeth, or whatever the need was.
Fears and insecurities of mine were brought up but the Lord replaced them with words of affirmation. He told me that I am enough. I am cherished. I am loved. I am precious to Him. I am fully capable because I have HIM. And you know what, I am actually beginning to believe it and live in that truth.
Vulnerability isn’t a bad thing, it’s a really beautiful thing. Even when snot crying is involved. When I was vulnerable, others lifted me up. They encouraged me, spoke truth into me, and loved me well.
God is so so much bigger than the box that we put Him in.
Lots of dance parties were had.
Simply put, training camp was one of the best, longest (it felt like a month crammed into a week), most intense and emotionally/physically draining weeks of my life spent with a group of beautiful people who have become my family. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. And this is just the beginning. I believe this week was only a glimpse into what God is going to do in and through myself and my squates.
The song ‘Come Away’ by Jesus Culture says so perfectly what I imagine Jesus saying when He asked me to come away with Him on the World Race – It’s gonna be wild. It’s gonna be great. It’s gonna be full of Me.
Meet my family — D Squad (Dauntless Squad)
I wish you could meet these people. I only met them a week ago but I love them so much. All week long I had to remind myself that I only met them days ago.
We’re missing some amazing people in this photo but this is 3rd generation D Squad. Watch out world.
And this here is my team. These are the people I will be working and living with day in and day out. I am ecstatic that I get to do life with them. Can’t. Wait.
Team Trust Without Borders. From left to right – Andy, Reid (our team leader!), Kelsey, Allison, and Beth.
We will launch from Atlanta, GA. Launch begins June 29th and we leave the country on July 3rd. Our first month of ministry will be in the Dominican Republic!!
Thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and for being a part of this journey. It means the world to me.
Much love,
Kaci
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