Howdy!
Let’s get right to it shall we? This week was training camp! So much happened it’s hard to put in to words, but I’ll do my best. I will be trying to leave out details that will ruin the experience for future racers, so just let me know if you want more details.
Coming in to training camp, I knew there was going to be many a moments when I would be taken out of my comfort zone. But I had no idea what that would look like, which made me nervous. I came in with the mindset of “OMG everyone has probably been a Christian for way longer than me, what could I possibly have to offer?” Well after this week all those doubts are gone!
The first day a bunch of our squad (K squad what up!) met up at McDonalds before registration! What a fantastic idea. This took away so much of the nervousness that I’m sure a lot of people were feeling. Everyone was so friendly and excited, exactly my kind of crowd. Little did I know it then, but I was going to be one of the outgoing ones when it came time.
Training camp actually was more spiritual training than anything. And this is where I learned the most. Dr. Ron Walborn was the speaker for most of the week and he was amazing. He had been through so much, which allowed him to have a story or experience for everything.
I think the most important thing I learned from him was that everyone experiences God in different ways. There is no reason to compare yourself to others. Some people may be all about worship, while others are fascinated by the beauty of the natural world and all of God’s creation. Some people may be all about reading scripture and other books, while others may be all about the history of it all. God reaches out to you in a way that connects to you. He knows everything about each and every one of us and therefore understands that what works with someone won’t necessarily work for someone else.
Some other things that really impacted me this week were the sense of community and a renewed hunger to learn. I personally had never really been a part of a Christian community. It astounded me how open people are willing to be with you, how open I was willing to be with others. I now have a group that can hold me accountable. A group that I can help be accountable. It’s so amazing. With this, I now have a renewed hunger to really delve into scripture. And I know my squad will be there to help me with this!
I’M SO FREAKING EXCITED for the next six weeks to fly by and this adventure to happen!
P.S. I was made treasurer for my team and have to handle the money…pray for me please!
Also I’m still in need of fundraising, if you or anyone you know can help, send them this way please! Love y’all, thanks so much for taking the time to read this!
Raj Mahal
TEAM SHOFAR!
