If I were to describe training camp in one word, I would have to say…. It was a total “SUCKFEST.”
Now I know what you are thinking…. “Darren, why so vulgar.” Just hear me out first. And don’t kid yourself, it was a suckfest….
It sucked our Sleep Schedule away….
Not getting back into camp until around 10pm every night and having to have your tent and campsite packed up and ready to “Exercise” by 7am didn’t help.
It sucked our Comfort Zone away….
Being able to get away from everyone to just shut down and go to your “happy place” when feeling upset or vulnerable is not really an option.
It sucked our Expectations away….
Our expectations of how camp, the leaders and teachings, and fellow racers were going to be were definitely not what we were expecting.
It sucked our Every Day Routine away….
You can for sure forget your daily routine of waking up, getting your cup of morning coffee(there isn’t any), taking a shower(better get there early or skip a meal because if not you’ll be waiting an hour or two), and getting that relaxing hour in front of the mirror to get ready for your day. You won’t be able to go to the same restaurant on your lunch break and check your Facebook to see who liked your status. All of that is GONE.
It sucked all our Energy away….
We got little to no sleep, had small portions and CARBS for every meal, sat through hours of lectures, and had something scheduled every second of everyday from 7am-10pm. Oh…. and it literally sucked about 10 lbs right off the body from all the walking and dancing.
Now I feel that it’s only fair if I’m going to list all the reasons it sucked then I should probably list the Amazing things that happen at camp as well.
It was amazing because of our Sleep Schedule….
It was amazing being able to hang out and worship with ESQUAD and build relationships with some amazing men/women of God around a campfire until the wee hours of the morning. Then getting up early in the morning to see everyone working together and getting ready for the day that God had in store for us.
It was amazing how God moved us out of our Comfort Zone….
Reading that in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Knowing that we don’t have to shut down and just rely on ourselves when things are difficult but being able to lean on your fellow Brothers/Sisters in Christ for comfort and encouragement. Oh yea…. Feedback and having to use a squatty potty will definitely bring you out of your comfort zone.
It was amazing how God changed our Expectations….
Our expectations of camp were totally blown away. God can do amazing things when you finally lower your guard and let others in. Having done probably way to much research about training camp I definitely went in with the wrong attitude and expectations. I encourage everyone who went to camp or who is headed there to Go in with an open mind and if it is scriptural then to be completely open to it.
It was amazing how much we appreciated Normal Food….
Now I’m not going to say it was all bad, but trust me almost everyone was in appreciation for how good we have it as Americans. I’m a firm believer in always finding the good in everything and I can definitely say that I feel extremely blessed with how much I have in my life and will do my best about not complaining about the little things.
It was amazing how God can change your Every Day Routine….
The amazing thing about Training Camp was the destruction of the importance of everyone’s every day routine. We quickly learned that exercise(not coffee) and making sure alone time with God was of the most importance(not taking hours to get ready). We quickly learned that fellowship and community with your new family was way more important and fulfilling than what you can find behind a screen checking your Facebook and Instagram. We quickly learned that what we found important each day might not be as essential to life as we thought it was; be it eating at your favorite restaurant or how good you look in your daily, and please forgive me for saying it, “SELFIE.”
It was amazing how much you’ll get Energized….
The lack of sleep has nothing on the fulfillment of sitting around a campfire with your brothers/sisters with the occasional game of “star gazing.” From the worship team getting you ready to hear the word of God to the preacher making you feel like you were in a revival every night you’ll have no time to remember the lack of nutrition from that days meals. It was amazing that by the end of the week everyone had forgotten about the struggles of the week and were completely energized and ready to change the world for Christ.
So my wish for everyone is that they too had a training camp that was a complete Suckfest…. Because by doing so you’ll realize how much of an AMAZING experience it can be for you and your new World Race Family.
Here’s the video we made of our training camp experience…. hope everyone enjoys.
World Race Training Camp May 2014 from Darren Bateman on Vimeo.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us!! At this point we are $7,000 away from our second deadline which is coming up quickly. If you’d like to support financially you can do so by clicking the support me tab on the left side of the page. And of course we still need your prayers.
Thanks,
Darren and Lyndie Bateman
