How was training camp? Fantastic. Where do I begin?
Who was there?
Five WR squads traveling different routes will be launching (departing) in January 2015. At training we totaled around 300+ individuals camping out at Adventures In Missions (AIM) headquarters in Gainesville, GA. M-Squad (our squad!) was the smallest of them all coming in at 28 individuals, 32 including our squad leaders.
Where did we sleep?
Despite nearly an entire week of unexpected rain and cold weather conditions we made it through. This was an optimal time to test out our tents, sleeping mats, packs and gear to ensure we knew how to use it and what we need to exchange at our local REI store.
(Shout out to my PSSI familia!)
What did we eat?
Each day the cooking team prepared an amazing meal based upon the theme for that day: Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, Latina American and Friday’s “Welcome home” with traditional American food. We ate community style, sharing one plate with the entire table of 8. Portion sizes were quite smaller than what we are used to but we soon came to realize that we didnt really need all that much. A bonus was when dairy was on the menu, myself and another teammate of mine were highly valued as there would be more to go around 🙂 Below was one of my favorite meals, an entire plate of coleslaw with baked fish!!
What did we do and what did we learn?
What did we do? DANCE!! And a lot of it. I suppose I should clarify, the dancing was in between several seminars taught by former racers, current staff (i.e. former races) and Ronald Walborn, the Dean at Alliance Theological Seminary. Of course, in between those sessions 300+ people have to exert their energy somehow and there was plenty of great music to do so.
What was it like?
I will be honest about my first 48 hours. Homesickness struck me out of nowhere. It’s been ages since I’ve heard from that ugly old acquaintance (often arriving with his good friend fear). During those first two days I had reoccurring thoughts and anxiety that I just made a serious mistake. This wasn’t what I thought or imagined it would be. What the heck did I just get myself into?
(Please note each “first person” reference in that response, “I, I, myself…” Clearly one of the areas God is already digging into is my selfishness and conceit.)
Change is hard and this specific change in my life is like nothing I’ve ever done. As the week went on relationships with my teammates developed, healing from past hurts came and God revealed his face to me amongst the sea of my brothers and sisters during nightly worship sessions. Day after day, in the rain, cold and close community quarters he reminded me that this is exactly where he wants me to be, preparing for this race and simultaneously growing deeper in love with him.
I’ve heard testimonies about how the WR wrecks you. How Jesus breaks you. And how you lose your identity. Sounds terrifying. But in all reality I could use a little “wrecking” in my life, being broken and losing my old selfish and prideful self. It’s definitely going to be hard and I’ll be honest with you when it is. But the end result will be worth it and you’ll be witnesses to the transformation and in being so, I pray he also does a great work in you!
So, I could probably go on but am running late for work now… Please ask me questions so I can give you more details!!
