What actually is there to say about the ten days I spent at Training Camp for the World Race? So much has happened physically,mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; it’s almost beyond comprehension.
Saturday morning I helped Mom by pulling some weeds in her garden. I realized this was a metaphor of me and my life the last few weeks. God, the Master Gardener, was busy pulling weeds in my garden. It was painful at times, stretching, uncomfortable, draining, but it felt good to be in the capable Hands of the Father. He showed me places I need to grow; He pruned other places; and still others He just yanked something clear out of the ground and dangled it in front of me and said ‘THIS has got to go!’. There were times during TC that I wondered if I should be there – so much of me needed work. But God, in His mercy, showed me love and pulling me closer to Him, said ‘I love you, I got you, you’re Mine, and I have a work for you!’ Wow! Just wow!
The before and after… (I promise, there’s a hill. I’m not THAT bad at taking pictures!) 
The teachings were amazing! I felt filled to capacity after the first three days! But the Lord had more for me and I’ve felt since then that I’m like a computer on processing mode. My little brain keeps spinning and trying to grasp as much as possible. My little notebook will get lots of rereading in the days ahead!
We were also taught a simple yet powerful tool for sharing the Gospel which we got to practice in the neighborhoods of Gainesville. That Sunday afternoon was a stretching time but so useful in showing me once again that the Spirit works in those hearts who are willing to be used of Him.
Besides all the spiritual nourishment we got, we also had times of bonding with our squad. There are 4 guys and 27 girls on J squad. Each of them are so talented in so many different areas. Then we all have our weaknesses that become beautiful when we allow other people’s strengths to complement each other.
We also have our mentors and leaders who are quite amazing! They were our prayer warriors before we ever met them; they became people we watched to try to figure out what would happen next and how to react to it; they became our personal cheerleaders. James and LeAnn are two amazing people who have the challenge of leading us the first 5 months of our race. They are both World Race alumni and we’ll be learning a lot from them!
Let me tell you about some fun times at Training Camp. One day we were told that half of our packs were ‘lost’ at the airport, so we would have to find a spot in a friend’s tent. Laiken so kindly shared her things with me! Thankfully I even got to take a shower and use those extra clothes in my day pack.
Another evening we were told that in our travels from somewhere in Asia to the Philippines we were stuck in South Korea for a 12-hr layover. So we had about 100 people in a rather small room (the airport) for the night. I think pretty much every inch was being used for our sleeping pads/bags to try to catch a few z’s even while the airport ‘noises’ kept blaring all night.
Then there was the fitness hike! I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to keep moving one foot in front of the other. But God, in His mercy and love, showed me that in my weakness He is STRONG!!! We all made it!
Another highlight was the evening that our squad was given food to cook over our own little campfire that Levi so expertly tended even in the rain. The food was perfect, the s’mores for dessert really great, and the conversations and laughter even better! The evening was topped off with some beautiful worship from our talented guitarists and singers and the Holy Spirit!
And let’s be honest here. I realized that I was struggling with wondering what people thought of me. Being a bit ‘different’ than most of my squadmates caused me some insecurities at first. I quickly had to come terms with the fact that God is coming after ME, just as I am. He LOVES ME. And He WANTS ME! No matter how often I ponder this, it makes me feel so small and insignificant, yet so truly and utterly loved and desired! And being desired by my Father really trumps whatever other people think or wonder about me. In this I found true freedom! (Yes, you might think I should have gotten over this some years ago already. That’s fine, you may think that. I need to butt heads with these devilish thoughts more often than I want; but through Christ there is VICTORY!!!!)
This was Training Camp! It was a time in my life where I learned a lot about myself. It was where I took cold bucket showers at 6 in the morning and actually liked it (sorta). I got and stayed dirtier and smellier than I would have liked. I put up and took down my tent more times than I can really figure out. I got to meet my squad and only 3 days in I couldn’t imagine my life without them. Complete strangers have become family! I learned it can be so beneficial if I can’t plan ahead at all and I’ll enjoy it so much more if I stay flexible. I have tried to describe it, yet words truly do not do justice to these powerful 10 days of my life!
Come back to visit soon! I will be telling you about my team that I get to serve with for the first few months of the race! You’ll want to get to know them – they’ll be in my life a LOT!
