Training camp (TC) happened at Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainesville, GA from August 20-30. I drove part of the way down and met up with my squadmate, Monica, on the 19th and then we traveled the rest of the way together. I’ve already shared two of the most memorable moments from TC but I’d like to share little bit more.
- Food: I enjoy most food so I didn’t really think that would be an issue and it wasn’t. My least favorite meals were on days when we had typical American food.
- Sessions: Most days we would have three sessions with topics such as Feedback, Emotions, Shame, Identity, Hearing God, Forgiveness, and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
- Field scenarios: Throughout TC we had to practice what we would do if ____ happened. All of the scenarios were taken from things that have actually happened to previous racers.
- Atmosphere: Whenever I go somewhere, I pick up on the spiritual atmosphere of the place/people. The AIM campus had one of the most spiritually refreshing atmospheres I have ever come across. The desire for God was tangible and prayer played a very prominent role in everything that happened. And there was freedom and joy. Yes, some people brought very hard issues/emotions with them but it was still a safe place to be honest with each other.
- I was able to meet all my squadmates for the first time and watch a dance war involving all three squads. I think most sessions ended having dancing before they got started. (8/20/17)
- I used to see pictures/visions on a pretty frequent basis but it had been quite a while since the last one. During worship on the first night there, God gave me three different visions. By the end of the week, I had several more.
- Finding out who is on my team. (An upcoming post will reveal who they are.)
- Fitness hike à read more here
- Re-hike: about six people didn’t complete their hike within the required time on the first day so they had to do a re-hike the next day. Seeing the way everyone came together to support and cheer them on was extremely encouraging. (8/24/17)
- All three squads were given a list of activities to complete and a time limit in which to do the activities. It started with packing up all your stuff and walking together to a meeting point. Once there we had to do squats, burpees, and push-ups based on the number of people in the squad to “buy” a tent. C Squad finished well before the others and started to move on to the next task when our mentor asked us to look around and see how we could bless the other squads. Immediately, half of us went and helped A Squad while the rest helped B Squad complete their workouts. It was nice to be able to help the other squads out and all the squadmates I talked to agreed that the things we did to help the other squads were easier than the ones we did for our own squad. (8/24/17)
- The Bible says to worship God with all your strength. One way I did that was to dance in worship for God until I had run out of energy. It had been several years since the last time I did that but I had a chance to do it again while at training camp. I have also done it twice since returning. (8/26/17)
- Evangelism: One day each squad was sent to a different area nearby with the goal of praying and sharing the gospel. Several people were prayed for or heard the gospel and one person even got saved! I don’t have numbers for how many people were touched that day but I know some of us are continuing to pray for the people we met trusting that God will continue to reach out to them. (8/27/17)
- God healed my shoulder! (8/27/17)
- Squad Wars: There were a couple opportunities to earn points for your squad earlier on but most of the chances occurred on the last night of TC. For one of the activities C Squad worked together with B Squad to eliminate A Squad first. (A was larger than B & C combined.) The only part C Squad really cared about was the dance off which we won. (8/29/17)
- After squad wars were over, there was a chance for people to be baptized. Several people (I think 11) were baptized. Four of them were fellow squadmates! I am so happy for them. In the middle of the baptisms we had an impromptu singing session and at the end all 3 squads gathered around those who had just been baptized and prayed for them. That is my favorite moment of training camp and at least for me, sums up the entire camp quite nicely.
