Permadirt. The lovely ingrained fake tan which in reality is just grime and grunge collected on the skin. What joy it was to be able to wash away the 10 days worth of permadirt that built up on me at training camp for the World Race. Even better than this was being able to wash away unnoticed permadirt that had been stored up in my heart as well.
I spent these past days in Gainesville Georgia, where clean became less of a priority and I set aside many commodities I take for granted to better prepare myself for what is coming up in September. What seemed surreal before this past week has become vividly real, and I’m excited to see how God uses this year away to stretch and grow me as well as my new community of fellow squadmates (:
During training camp, I was able to experience community in a fresh way, and push myself in directions I wasn’t quite sure I was able to. I was able to give up bitterness stored inside of me, forgive past hurts, voice painful experiences, and on top of that physically exert myself in all sorts of neat scenarios.
Throughout training camp I continually asked myself whether I was merely surviving or whether I was thriving through it all. And although at times it felt like mere survival, for instance when the 30+ degree weather was cooking my Canadian soul, or when a port-a-potty visit was postponed as long as possible to limit the daily visits. Yet overall I thrived in these experiences, taking all the new things in stride and being open to all that came my way.
As someone who appreciates cleanliness it was at times difficult to be dirty and build up surface permadirt, yet I was not alone in my predicament at Training Camp. I am forever grateful that permadirt is not actually permanent, both externally and internally.
Today I’m thankful for really good soap, and a God who washes away past hurts and welcomes us home with forgiving arms.
Stay tuned for regular updates on my fundraising and preparations for launch in September (:
