I don’t even know where to begin this post, so much happened at training camp, it was nuts, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning (oh, and there will likely be multiple posts on training camp… that much happened).
It all started Tuesday night, July 15, as I was putting the finishing touches on a pretty poor and hectic packing job. I left home around 7:30pm for Georgia. Around 12:45am I pulled into a rest area for a few hours of sleep. Around 5am I awoke and could not fall back asleep so I was back on the road to finish my drive. Some coffee, gas stops, a sunrise, and 90 miles in Georgia back-country and I finally reached “Training Camp”, but Training Camp didn’t start until Saturday, so why was I there on Wednesday? Well, there was an optional man-hike and I was not turning down hiking the Appalachian Trail and some male bonding time. The man-hike was amazing. There were 9 guys from my squad who went on the hike and then about 30 other guys who are on other World Race Squads departing in September and some AIM staff and guys who know the AIM founder, Seth Barnes. That was probably the coolest part of the hike, besides getting to know the guys on my squad, we got to spend some really quality time with Seth who is a really down-to-earth guy and has a passion for men and developing youth (all people really) into true followers of the Gospel. All 40 of us even camped out in his yard the night before the hike.
Well, the 2nd day of the hike, Friday, it rained pretty much all day, which was amazing. I love rain and hiking through the forest in a mist and then eventually a steady rain was just a reminder of how God’s love often washes over us and rains down on us. (maybe I need a separate blog post about the man-hike).
Saturday at 4:30pm we finally checked in for training camp and boy was I unprepared. I was unprepared for the many, many amazing people on K Squad (my squad) and the many amazing leaders we have. I was unprepared for how hard the week was going to be physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I was unprepared for the trials that were to come. I was unprepared for how the Holy Spirit was going to powerfully move. I was unprepared for the love I was going to be shown. I was unprepared for the camera crew filming the documentary and how much they care about us and our stories and how vulnerable they were going to be with us. I was unprepared for virtually everything, and it was beautiful.
Some unofficial training camp statistics…
Hours of sleep – 34
Hours spent at training camp – 162 (nearly 7 full days)
Number of chigger bites – 66
Number of mosquito bites – 20
Places slept at night – my tent, sleeping bag on ground, school bus stairs, porch/deck (no sleeping bag, used backpack as a pillow)
Hours of sleep the night I slept on the stairs of a bus – less than 1
Number of hours around professional video cameras – 50 (yeah, we’re “Hollywood” famous)
Number of people I prayed for – so many
Number of people who prayed for me – so many
Number of people I encouraged – bunches
Number of people who encouraged me – bunches
Number of times the Spirit moved – all the time
Number of new “family” members – 70 or so, from my 51 squad mates, to 3 Squad leaders, a squad mentor, our 7 or so Squad trainers (former racers who come to training camp specifically to help us through camp), the camera crew, and many others
Number of times I processed something – every day
Number of times I said, “I need alone time” (I’m a major introvert) – probably at least 12
I can’t even begin to describe everything that happened at camp. It was crazy, it was messy, it was full of love and challenge, it was so hard, yet God pulled me through whenever I needed His strength, and He taught me that I am more than a servant, I am a son!
Tomorrow begins the stories from training camp that make it more than just an “event”.
