How do I even begin to summarize my training camp experience?
All I can say is that it was the most incredible and humbling week of my life.
I went to camp with the expectations that training camp would be horrible. I’ve spent countless hours stalking world-racers’ blogs so I had the idea that I was going to be starved, sleep-deprived, and dirty. Boy, was I wrong!
Sure, I ate plenty of weird foods like a breakfast of boiled eggs and french fries and the strangest concoction of bananas, peanut butter, coconut milk, and raisins (which turned out amazing btw).
I slept in plenty of strange places like a school bus, concrete floor, or a community tent, resulting in a few, short hours of sleep.
And yeah, I only took 3 showers the whole week that happened to be cold, bucket showers.
However, it was one of the best weeks of my life. The Holy Spirit took me on a crazy roller coaster ride that totally rocked my world. He opened my heart and my eyes to whole new ways to worship. He blessed me by putting me in the best squad at AIM (Adventures in Missions), First Generation Gap A, and surrounding me with amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.
I know I’ve never gone anywhere where I felt so accepted and loved.
I’ve never been around people who don’t laugh when you dance like a absolute maniac, but actually join in and dance even weirder.
I’ve never been somewhere where I could open up and let myself be completely vulnerable without judgment or ridicule.
I’ve never been somewhere that I could so clearly feel God’s presence.
I’ve never been around people who trust the Lord so fully, they’re willing to give up 9 months of their lives to serve Him.
This week changed me. I struggled physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but it was all worth it. Every minute. God has given me peace about my future. Although I don’t have a schedule for the future or even know what’s going to happen, I know that God is a strategic God. He has everything planned out for me, detail by detail, down to the second. I’m not scared of this next chapter of my life because I know God’s in control, and I’m so ready for whatever He throws at me.
And for an exciting announcement, let me introduce you to the 6 amazing women God put as my teammates for the next 9 months!
(Left to Right: Annika, Brooke, Julie, Me, Shelby, Jacqueline, and Michelle)
I’m so so so so so blessed to be put on an all-girls team, and I’m so so so so happy it’s these ladies. I can’t wait to grow closer with them and have all sorts of crazy adventures together.
And second crazy announcement, the countries I’ll be traveling to! Drum roll please…
Guatamela!
Thailand!
Botswana!
I can not wait to see what God’s going to do in these countries.
I just love all of these crazies!
Please continue to pray for me!
5 weeks left in the US!
xx
Amy Whelchel
