It seems that I have spent a great while doing everything but blogging about my Training Camp experience. It is now time, however, for me to share my experiences…and to relate those experiences to the 2nd best movie in the Rocky franchise!
Take a second, dearest reader, to think back to the beginning of Rocky III. Our hero, the Italian Stallion, is at the top of his game. He has just knocked out Apollo Creed in the rematch of the decade and has been crowned the Heavyweight Champion of the World. He is dominating challengers in seek of his belt. He is imposing his will as champ. He is being bronzed in statues and giving retirement speeches to thousands of adoring Philadelphians. He has money, fame, and a loving family. He is king of the world…
Everything was going swimmingly for me. I had met my first fundraising deadline, I had graduated with honors from the University of Detroit Mercy, and I knew how I would be spending my next 11 months. I had it all on lockdown. While other recent alumni were scrambling around trying to decipher their future, I was reveling in the fact that I would not have to think about my career for another year. I was excited to travel to the ends of the world reaching people in the name of the Lord. I was wholly prepared to leave and begin my quest on the World Race. Nothing was more clear to me…
While Rocky is retiring from boxing, Mr. T calls him out, insisting that he is a coward and that all of his title defense fights were set-ups. Rocky, angered by Mr. T's outburst and overconfident in his own abilities, agrees to postpone retirement in favor of one last fight. During the intervening training montage, it becomes evident that Rocky is taking Mr. T lightly. He works out halfheartedly and turns his gym into a carnival. Mr. T, on the other hand, is training ruthlessly. Though it comes as a complete shock to Rocky, Mr. T knocks him out in the 2nd round…
I didn't really know what to expect from Training Camp. I sort of thought that it would merely be a chance for me to meet my squad for the first time. I was not banking on being challenged, either spiritually, physically, or emotionally. It was going to be a walk in the park. Upon arrival at camp, however, I realized my presuppositions were all out of whack. Training camp wrecked me. I was rocked to the very core of my beliefs and could scarcely tell which way was up. I had hit rock bottom.
An emotionally downtrodden Rocky Balboa must, following his fight with Mr. T, make amends with the fact that he just doesn't have the "eye of the tiger" anymore. Rocky, though, is too shaken up to even try to regain what he had lost…until Apollo Creed himself shows up and offers to train Rocky for a rematch. The two of them (with Adrian, Paulie, and Duke in tow) jet off to California to renew Rocky's fighting spirit. It is there that Rocky, in the middle of some intense training, comes to the startling realization that he is scared of Mr. T and the pain that he causes.
It was the purpose of Training Camp, I later learned, to break down the World Racers so that we would drop all of our worldly baggage and rely completely on God. The first few days were meant to be brutal. The remainder of the week was supposed to bring us back up through fellowship, encouragement, and team building. Somewhere along the line, unfortunately, I must have missed the memo. I was depressed and confused most of the week as to the reason for my participation in Training Camp and the World Race. My beliefs were still being rattled and I had no idea what the right course of action was. I was worried and scared.
Rocky had never been scared before. After some tough reflection, we gathered his willpower and was finally ready for the rematch with Mr. T. During the subsequent bout, Rocky came out quickly and was able to tire Mr. T out. Rocky knocked out his adversary in the 3rd round, regaining his World Heavyweight Championship. His story is a powerful testament to how far courage and belief in oneself can bring someone.
This is the part of the narrative where I'm supposed to say that I prayed and eventually got the courage to stand tall. I'm supposed to tell you that the rest of Training Camp was fun and positive and all of the negativity that brought me down had been vanquished…
It didn't actually work like that. Training Camp had really done a number on me and I was pretty excited to get out. It was one of the longest and most difficult weeks of my life and I needed to return to some semblance of normalcy. Upon arrival back at home, I thought and prayed and discussed and reflected. My main prayers centered around the question "How can I be ready for 11 months overseas when I can't even handle 9 days?" After some counsel with my mom (who had been praying about the possibility of a shorter mission trip), I realized that perhaps I wouldn't be ready. Instead, I transferred my funds to a 3.5 month trip to Kenya!!!! I am so totally thrilled for this new adventure. I will be with the same organization and we will be doing the same in Kenya as we would during the World Race, albeit in one country and a shorter timeframe. I am ecstatic, however, that I will be able to spend so much time in Kenya. That was the country that got me the most fired up on the World Race. I can't wait to work in the tribes in the bush, providing a helping hand and a loving heart to those who need it most.
I think this spurning of the World Race may be what God planned all along (duh) and I will be most effective in Kenya. I will be leaving in September, returning in December, and only need about $2500 more!!! I'll keep you all informed!!
