One week ago, I arrived home from training camp and I am still in awe of how much grace God has wrapped me in. My squad consists of 38 of the most amazing, God-loving, adventure-seeking, and all-around best people ever. And not only do I get to spend the next 9 months with these people, but God also brought 7 incredible people into leadership positions over my squad. These people are:
Hailey (Squad Administrator aka the most outgoing and fun person ever)
Christie (Squad Leader #1 aka the wisest woman of God)
Kat (Squad Leader #2 aka the coolest and most loving person ever)
Will (Team Leader #1 aka the adventurous, thrill seeking one)
LG (Team Leader #2 aka the most accepting gal and all-around best comforter)
Zibby/Ziggy (Team Leader #3 aka the funniest and most positive person I’ve met)
Kaylaynn (Kaylaynn is technically not on our team and was only subbing as squad mentor until we have our official one, but she will always be part of our family and I appreciate everything that she did for our squad at TC more than she could ever know)
Besides meeting my new best friends and family, training camp was an adventure. I cried more than I ever thought possible. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. I ate duck egg and crickets (PSA would NOT recommend). I hiked 2 miles alongside my teammates while we all cried on the inside as we carried our 40 pound packs. I learned way more than I could ever put in a blog, but below are some of the key take-aways from camp.
1. Forgiveness
Though I’ve always known that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die from it, TC taught me the urgency we need to live out forgiveness. The longer we wait to let go of that weight, the heavier it becomes and in the end it is only you that is harmed.
2. Culture
Adventures did an amazing job preparing us for the cultures we are jumping feet-first into. We learned the religions; we learned the foods; we learned the fashion-culture. Though it will be inevitable to struggle with culture-shock, I feel much more prepared to go and love His people in these other countries.
3. Community over Isolation
Isolation has always been a struggle of mine, as my first instinct whenever I am hurt is always to hide away from people. I knew it was a problem, but I didn’t realize just how helpful community can be to heal. I spent 10 days living in almost constant community, and though initially I wanted my space, I learned to embrace this new living situation and I cannot wait for the next 9 months of sleepovers 
.
A few less serious, but equally important lessons:
4. Porta-potties are really difficult to use at night if your headlamp is broken.
5. Buying a hammock was a worthy purchase.
6. Strangers can turn into family in less than 10 days.
7. If it rains, it POURS. I learned this very quickly after my tent flooded on the third night. Unfortunately, my rain fly didn’t help even when it was on. Luckily, my teammate was more than gracious to let me sleepover in her tent.
8. Unpopular opinion: bucket showers > normal showers
9. Community living is the best thing ever. Also the worst. But mostly the best.
10. Would NOT recommend eating curry every meal for multiple days straight.
Training camp came and went and in it I had some of the best/worst days of my life. I love my team with my whole heart and I admire and look up to my leadership team more than I ever thought possible. These people are my brothers and sisters. They’re my people. They’re my family. But more than anything, they’re my tribe.
P.S. I am sad to report that squad R had a pitiful loss in squad wars. I would like to note,though, that we DID go out fighting. Even if that meant we were taken out like flies in dodgeball.
#squadRlosinbutlowkeywewinnin
