Training Camp.
Where do I begin?
I’ve started writing this multiple times throughout the week, trying to draw out the right words to describe what I experienced.
It was amazing. It was difficult.
And those are still, vast understatements.
The Training Camp for the World Race Gap Year, hosted in Gainesville, Georgia, tested my limits on every front: physical, emotional, and spiritual. It made me fight for what I’ve chosen, and what God has called me to do. It placed a few struggles in my path that were eventually used to grow me. It re-affirmed what I already knew in my heart, all this time: that I was supposed to be going on Route 6 Gap Year. That I am meant to be saying goodbye – for a time – in September.
Training camp was the biggest kind of test.
– Physically, I was challenged by the infamous team hike, along with a pretty nasty fever I got the following evening. (Moral of the story: STAY HYDRATED). I also became more thoughtful about hunger, and about how I can’t even begin to fathom really experiencing it.
– Emotionally, I was challenged to be vulnerable around a new set of people, and honest about my struggles. The many sessions tested my endurance to process deep and emotionally-charged topics several times a day, and the near-constant time spent in community was a step out of my introverted comfort zone, for sure.
– Spiritually, I pulled questions to the surface I’d been struggling with for years, and placed them before God. The miraculous result was a kind of peace I’m still processing. Training camp was a reminder to talk more frequently with my Heavenly Dad and be intentional about setting aside time for Him. To trust Him. I wrestled with some big topics and although it was demanding, draining, exhausting – it was so, so rewarding.
The 10 days that encompassed Training Camp were an introduction to the how and the who of this next chapter of my life. These days challenged me to carry myself according to the work I’m setting out to do, and encouraged me at the same time. I sat in sessions, lectures, and rotations that have geared me towards thinking more critically about extending grace and patience to those around me – including myself. The many talented speakers that shared an assortment of testimonies and lessons solidified my choice to be on this journey. To choose this path. I was relieved to find that Adventures in Missions and the World Race crew are concerned and compassionate about doing missions right – touching on a wide range of topics, including cultural awareness, the criticism of our own capitalistic tendencies, and acknowledging emotional health. Furthermore, they weren’t afraid to bring up past mistakes in the program to use as examples and opportunities for growth, which is something I greatly respect.
Lastly, through Training Camp, I finally met the group of chaotic and incredible people that God has already shaped into one big family. It’s a pretty incredible thing to pull people from all over the world together for the same mission.
Emerging from this experience meant choosing each other. Towards the end of training camp, I recall one event in particular that made my heart sing. After signing & turning in our contracts for the Race, we stood in a circle of mentors, leaders, and peers to vocalize that we would support one another. One after another we went around the circle, hugging and saying, ‘yes.’ Yes to the whole 9 months together. A lot of laughter went around, too.
I will definitely be gushing about my team and the entire squad more, but to some it up for now: we’re all complex and messy and amazing, and my heart is looking forward to getting to know all of them better. As a group, they are some of the most genuinely kind people I’ve ever met, and are already incredible reflections of a loving and listening God. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35) – and that’s them. 🙂
I am looking forward to the World Race Gap Year now more than ever.
Also, I think I have bug bites on every inch of my body. I am no longer Taylor Pannell; I am Bugbite Bugbite.
Much love to you all, and thank you for sticking with me on this journey. It means more to me than I can say.
