Training Camp. An intense 10-day camp in the woods of Georgia that stretched me, grew me, and broke me a little bit. (Actually, more than just a little.) As someone who has read every single Training Camp blog they could find, I thought I knew what to expect… I was definitely wrong. So much happened in those 10 days that it would take hours of writing to even briefly cover it all. I’m pretty sure I could write a small book on everything I learned, but I’ll write a “simple” overview instead.
The instant I got to training camp, I started crying. “That building!” I told my mom. “I have seen so many World Race videos with that building in it!” That feeling of being completely overwhelmed did not leave the entire 10 days, (It still hasn’t left completely.) and it was definitely not the last time I cried.
We would sit in sessions for several hours a day, learning about how to minister to children and vulnerable women, how to prepare a sermon, how to give our testimony, and so much more. In those first few days, I learned that my testimony is powerful and can be used by God, even if it doesn’t feel important to me.
I took a total of 76 pages of notes at training camp. I wrote an additional 26 pages of processing through everything that was happening.
Every day we had a different theme, and the food we were served went along with the theme. On Asia day, we only ate with chopsticks, and while I am still not very good at it, I can technically say I now know how to use chopsticks!
I got to spend a good amount of time with my team, the group of 7 people I will be living with and doing ministry with. There are three guys – Shane, Nick, and Ben, and three other girls – Grace, Daven, and Taylor, and they are awesome. I am so excited to call them family! 
I slept in a tent 8 out of 10 nights, and slept great. My tent provided me with alone time at the end of the longest days of my life, and that was necessary for sure. 
One night, we did an airport simulation. We spent the night inside (Yay for air conditioning!) with the lights on and airport noises in the background. Everyone blew up their sleeping pads and made camp in the “airport.” It was definitely my worst night of sleep, but it was entertaining to see every inch of floor space taken up by blankets and sleeping pads and exhausted people. 
I like to think I have no more toxins in my body, because I sweat them all out. There were probably only 2 instances when I was not sweating – camping in the Georgia summer is no joke!
I took three showers while I was at camp, and while I would have loved to taken more, bucket showers are somewhat of a long process. (Very refreshing, however!)
I ate a cricket! It didn’t taste too bad, but it was pretty weird to think that I had a bug in my mouth.
I got to meet some of the World Racers I have looked up to for a while now – and actually talk to them face to face! (Another blog about this coming soon!)
I experienced authentic freedom through Christ and it was life-changing and so beautiful.
On the last night of camp, I watched some of my new brothers and sisters get baptized as the sky was full of pink and orange. It was amazing!
I think it is safe to say Training Camp was the hardest 10 days I’ve experienced. It’s also safe to say, however, that Training Camp was some of the best days of my life. I don’t think there was a single moment that I didn’t feel overwhelmed, but so much of that overwhelming emotion was because Jesus was talking to me in so many different ways, and it was difficult to process it all. I got to be vulnerable with my teammates and pray with and over them. I got to learn more about my own identity by learning about who Jesus is. I got to encourage, and be encouraged. 
Training Camp was amazing, and it was just the beginning of this journey. I have $4,134 until I am fully funded for this trip, and if you feel called to help fund my World Race, you can donate by clicking the orange button above!
Thanks for reading! More in-depth training camp blogs coming soon!
