WHAT A WEEK!!! I clearly couldn’t just write one blog on training camp, because almost as soon as I posted my last blog, crazy stuff kept happening! So as y’all know, I left off on Sunday afternoon (aka Sabbath/rest day)… BUT SUNDAY NIGHT WAS EXTRAORDINARY!!!
We had a squad “camp-out” at our campsite. We cooked dinner over the fire, used our own collapsible bowls/cups (thx mom for making me get one lol), set up tarps to sit on the ground and shelter from the potential rain, and played some games. But when we started worship, the atmosphere shifted completely. We sat around the campfire, praising God with nothing but a guitar and our voices. Then we had a space for us to be open and vulnerable with each other, sharing our hearts and covering each other in prayer. I love these people so much deeper now!
Then on Monday and Tuesday we had Gender Days! So the men went off and did who knows what, but us women got to hang back and have sessions just for us. And let me just say, originally I wasn’t that excited. Even though women’s ministry is something I’m passionate about, I know most times it isn’t done very well. BUT I WAS BLOWN AWAY! We had breakout sessions and learned about powerful women in the Bible, learned how to deal with pain in a healthy way, addressed guilt/shame, and learned about how God created women and how that view was distorted after the fall. I’m still shook tbh.
Also, on Tuesday morning we had our fitness hike! 2.2 miles in 38 minutes with our massive 40 lb backpacks. Sounds easy, right? WRONG. When I tell you there were steep hills… THERE WERE STEEP HILLS! Although my team separated a little bit shortly after we started, we came back together and helped each other to cross the finish in time. And all was well until literally at the finish line, when Jamie twisted her ankle and fell down. She went to urgent care, and thankfully it was only a sprain. But, she’ll be on crutches for the next few weeks. We told her she’s not allowed to get injured again lol.
Wednesday was super exciting!!! After one of our sessions, they handed each of us a water bottle. We were instructed to give the water bottle away to someone in town, to pray about who to give it to and talk to them. Y’all already know I get so freaking nervous talking to people… but we did it!!! It was super encouraging for all of us! And I also got to spend some quality time with my team and make memories! We’ve also decided on a team name: Team Groot! (I’ll probably explain in a later blog) 🙂
On Thursday we had bugs for breakfast! Yum! There was also a 1000 year duck egg (which none of my squadmates at my table would try). But I went for it and took three bites! No regrets, ya know? And yesterday (aka Friday) we had squad wars!!! Our squad, along with the three August routes, competed in a series of games, including a dance off! V-Squad finished in 2nd place, in which we proudly proclaimed “We’re number two”, holding up a V with our fingers. Training camp has been amazing, and I can’t wait to tell you guys more about my journey!
Love you all! Be sure to subscribe to my blog if you haven’t already!
-Catherine Choquette
