“Wow.” That’s the short summary of my time at Training Camp. Fortunately (Or unfortunately, depending on your attention span), I also plan to write a longer one right now. Basically, if you didn’t already know, I spent ten days in Gainesville, Georgia, training for the World Race (Which, by the way, is now only six weeks away!) I went in with almost no expectations. I had no idea what to expect. It was gonna be hard. I could guess that much. But how hard would I be pushed? How would the Trainers treat me? How would I get along with the other people in my squad? I had no clue.
So some basics. My group is called V-Squad. Our official squad color is red. There are 26 of us (22 ladies and 4 dudes), all from different places, with different backgrounds, and different abilities to bring to the table. Within our big group of 26, we are split into four teams of six or seven each, and it’s in these teams that we’ll do the majority of our ministry.
So anyway, you might be wondering, what is this training camp all about? And what did Daniel get out of it? At least I hope you’re asking those questions. If you’re not, I’m gonna go ahead and answer them anyway, so hopefully you’ll keep reading, regardless of what your internal monologue might have been before I interrupted it.
Training Camp grew me physically. Not height-wise, of course. And that’s okay. 5’6 is a pretty alright height. But I was challenged physically. If you’re going to travel the world with all your belongings on your back, you have to be in pretty decent shape, and they made sure to test that. My first major physical challenge was a timed 2.2 mile hike while wearing my 35 pound backpack. In all honesty, I underestimated this challenge. The one thing training in New Mexico doesn’t prepare you for is the energy-draining humidity that you’ll find in Georgia. Still, I made it to the end of the hike in good time, and the first obstacle was overcome.
A couple of days later, I got to go on a 13 mile hike with the other men from my squad (Shoutout to Ryan, Will, and Caleb!). It was a great time of bonding with new friends, as well as physically challenging ourselves. It was a great time, and one of my favorite memories. And I think my calves will be sore for long enough to keep that fresh in my memory for quite some time.
Training Camp grew me relationally. So I already said that I didn’t know what to expect coming into training camp, but what I really didn’t expect was just how amazing the community would be. I often deal with fear of rejection. I’ve fought it for a long time. I was fully prepared for my squadmates not to accept me. I half expected to feel like an outsider. Perhaps it’s not a sensible expectation, but it’s a lie Satan has fed me for too long.
Regardless, I shouldn’t have worried. It was only ten days, but I already feel like I’ve known these people forever. We exercised together, ate together, worshiped together, prayed together, learned together, laughed together, danced together, and played games together. Pretty much from start to finish, we were doing things together, and it was the most awesome thing.
Probably my favorite thing about Training Camp is that I arrived with 25 strangers, but left with 25 new brothers and sisters. Seriously, I already love these people. In fact, I probably made it harder for our trainers to put us into teams when I asked them whether I could have everyone on my team. (Spoiler: They said no). In all seriousness though, it’s my honor to have this group of world changers surrounding me as we set out to build God’s Kingdom. I’m excited to dive deeper and come closer in fellowship with them. (On a side note, I’ll create a separate blogpost to introduce you to my team. This one is already getting way longer than intended.)
Also, I would mention that I didn’t know what to expect from the people who were actually tasked with training us. I didn’t know whether they would be harsh or kind, understanding or not, so I kind of prepared for the worst. My worries were needless. We had the kindest, warmest, most loving people guiding us, and it was beyond obvious that they had our backs and were cheering us on. So shoutout to Jeremy, Keith, Karen, Clay, Allison, Bella, Wayne, Courtney, and Megan for being about the best training team there could be.
Training Camp grew me spiritually. Perhaps the biggest surprise I encountered at Training Camp was the amount of spiritual teaching we were given. I don’t know why there wouldn’t have been spiritual teaching, but somehow, even in my lack of expectations, this wasn’t what I expected. There were teachings on a number of valuable subjects, but I’m going to focus on one.
Early in camp, a gentleman from South Africa came and spoke to us about the Holy Spirit. Now keep in mind, I was baptized more than 15 years ago. I’m a Bible college graduate. I’m following the Spirit’s direction in going on this trip. I’d like to think me and the Holy Spirit are pretty well acquainted.
Which made it all the more humbling when I realized that I really was not. In the American church, I think we don’t really understand the Holy Spirit. And what we don’t understand, scares us. And what scares us, we must limit and control as much as possible. So the result is, that we put the Holy Spirit in a box. We try to tell Him what He can and can’t do. We tell him the ways He’s allowed to influence us, and which ways He is not. And as, in our minds, we limit the Holy Spirit, we also, for obvious reasons, lose trust in Him. After all, the Holy Spirit we’ve created in our minds isn’t capable of much, even if He was willing to do something other than come into your heart and just camp out there on the off chance that we want Him for something.
But that illusion was shattered in my mind by one simple statement. I don’t remember the exact quote, but it was along the lines of “The least you should expect from the Holy Spirit today is what you see in the New Testament.” Whoa. The New Testament is full of witness to the Spirit’s power. And God simply doesn’t change. So yes, the same Spirit that performed crazy healings in the New Testament still wants to work through us today.
So I made a decision. I’m letting the Holy Spirit out of the box. I felt a new spark, and now I get to run with it and see where it leads me. I’m certain I’ve already grown closer, and I can’t wait for that to continue.
Training Camp was a unique experience. It was difficult, yet fun. Challenging, yet enjoyable. It stretched me beyond my comfort zone, but in the best possible way. Because it’s really when you’re outside your comfort zone that God grows you the most. And no doubt, it was a time of immense growth. I’m no longer concerned and uncertain. Just pumped to get going.
Bonus! As a reward for reading so long, enjoy some miscellaneous fun facts:
I participated in not one, but two group dance-offs. If you know me at all, you know that dancing is nowhere near my comfort zone, so this is no small deal. Fun fact: I was in the winning group both times.
I discovered that I don’t particularly enjoy eating crickets. Not even when they’re cooked.
Have you ever seen the Jonah VeggieTales movie where the Ninevites biggest sin was slapping each other with fish? I got to experience fish slapping firsthand in a game we played. I have to agree with Veggie Jonah. No one should do that. Shame on you, Nineveh.
