The past ten days have been full of emotion, sweat, stink, laughter, interesting food, interesting people, God, revelation, renewal, awakening, and….RAIN. Lots and lots of rain.
Upon arrival to training camp I didn’t quite know how to feel or what to expect. In fact, when people from back home asked me about training camp I honestly didn’t know what to tell them (great for supporters…I know). Some of my squad mates, Ralph and Esther, accompanied me on the drive to training camp in Gainesville, Ga. We talked about how, of the three of us, none of us really knew what we were getting into. It was quite comical that we were willing to give up the next 10 days of our lives and the following 11 months for something we weren’t quite clear on. Little did we know that the next 10 days would be incredible.
I started off by checking in and immediately heading to my squad’s campsite. When I arrived at the site, I thought to myself, “There’s no way 50 plus people are going to fit in this area, BUT we did. After setting up camp and briefly introducing myself to some of the squad, we all headed up to the training center where the journey would begin.
The first few days of camp were basically “normal.” We slowly got to know the 50 plus people around us while also adjusting to the new living situation, new eating situation, and the new schedule. In those days there was a big focus on spiritual formation, forgiveness, grieving, hearing God, worship, and so much more. I really enjoyed this time because I realized it had been so long since I just simply got to worship God in song and praise, which is my favorite way to worship Him. This time was a much need renewal and reawakening process for my spirit. I will go into this more in a later blog (remember this is just a brief overview).
The next few days would be full of a lot of change. To simulate life on the World Race we were required to change living situations every night. To keep the ongoing suspense and surprise of training camp for future World Racers, I won’t go into any more detail on that. But just know this, all of those situations are what you make them.
Later in the week we did some team building scenarios that required us to work together as teams of about 7 or 8, which would eventually lead to our teams for the World Race. My team consists of Zach, Lauren, Jenna, Stacey, Galina, and our leader Natalie. I’m honestly not quite sure what to think thus far because I don’t really know them all that well. But, I am certainly hopeful and excited about the future for the first time in a long time.
And what better way to end a training camp blog than with 11 things you should know about training camp (cliché…I know):
- Come with expectancy not an agenda.
- Get to know as many people as possible (aka don’t hangout with the same people all the time because chances are you won’t be on their team).
- Bucket showers aren’t that bad. Especially when you have 7 other guys around you screaming like little girls from the cold water hitting their body.
- The food is pretty good just don’t expect a lot of it.
- When spirits are down, play the thankful game. (i.e. I’m thankful it’s not 105 degrees out.)
- When spirits are down, break out into random dance parties/dance offs/rap battles.
- Savor every moment of every day.
- Pray for your squad mates. They are experiencing new things just like you are.(I can honestly say I love every single one of my squad mates. I believe praying for them helped me in that process of growing to love them.)
- Be yourself. AIM has done a fantastic job of creating a safe environment for you to be yourself and be real.
- Even if you don’t open up to everyone around you, (which is not expected of you) open up to God and allow him to search your heart and your spirit.
- BUGS! Get used to em’.
