It’s been hard to put into words how training camp. So here is my attempt at doing that!
Too be honest I was terrified. Terrified that I wasn’t cut out for the world race. Terrified that my squadmates weren’t going to like me. Terrified of the food we were going to eat and if I packed the “right stuff”. Terrified that I wasn’t going to survive sleeping in a tent… BUT God met me there day one and covered me with His presence.
I AM CUT OUT FOR THE RACE: We learned during training camp to have a “yes” in our spirits. So what that means is to be willing to say “yes” to what God is telling you to do. To step out of your comfort zone, and try new things.
There were spiders everywhere (gross) and I had to get used to dealing with them. I had an encounter with a snake near my shower. We made eye contact, I screamed he bucked up and then we ran/ slithered in opposite directions.
We used porta poddies and even had to change our clothes in them at times and I survived. I took cold bucket showers that would literally take my breath away at first but then got enjoyable as my body adjusted and that was all because I said “yes” to God. I said “yes” to so many things I normally would avoid/ run away from.
MY SQUADMATES: Right away I felt accepted by my squadmates. They are some of the most real, genuine, kind, spirit filled people I have ever met. They are goofy, great dancers, and have hearts of gold. I cannot wait to live with them for 11 months 🙂
FOOD/ PACKING: I ate a cricket (wasn’t that bad) and chicken and curry and lots and lots of rice and beans. It was crazy how eating with your hands off of one giant plate with seven other people stops you from over eating and gives you and your friends such a sense of community and bond.
Also I got used to outfit repeating. Yes I was smelly but so was everyone else, it’s fine.
One thing that really was nice to have was my portable fan that squirted water onto my face..it’s the little things in life (literally it fits in the palm of my hand).
SLEEPING IN A TENT: Before training camp I had only camped once. The first few days I didn’t sleep then I got used to it. So much so the last night I chose to sleep with a few others under the stars, without my tent. Still shocked I woke up with zero bug bites…
Not going to lie it was tough. You are striped of all your comfort and control. BUT it was also some of the best 10 days of my life.
