Training Camp Struggles

So, the man hike was over. Im running on fumes and have not made up my sleep debt. We got bussed over to the location of training camp by around 12:30. Everyone else was scheduled to start arriving around 4:30. All the men started setting up their tents and just relaxing until later. When people arrived we said hello to these people we only knew by Facebook photos and helped them set up tents. Some girls had not even opened their brand new tents. So they had no idea what they were doing. I’m sure every guy put up at least four tents.

After registration we ate dinner. Meals at TC were family style. One large platter for the table to share. we needed to make sure all eight of us ate off the one platter. The girls were encouraged to make sure the men were fed enough. Each day would have a theme(country or region) with eating guidelines and cultural customs to be followed.

Africa- Men eat at tables, served by the women, who eat seperately on the floor. Eat with your hands.
Asia- Never serve yourself and leave a small amount of food on your plate to let them know you are full.
India- Eat with your right hand only(I’m a leftie). No utensils and women needed to have their head and shoulders covered.
Latin America- A lot of rice and beans. Haha.

I started off not getting enough to eat, but my stomach adjusted to the smaller portions and I found myself less hungry throughout the week.

After meals we would have worship and teaching. Worship was amazing. Seeing people from all denominations worshiping in their own way.

Then the teachings were awesome. The first few days were about uniting our thoughts and breaking down the walls of religion. Not abandoning your denomination, but restructuring how you live within your faith. Instead of having a list of rules that define your faith, your faith is defined by the one thing that matters: A relationship with our savior Jesus Christ.

Now for the struggle of the first few days of TC. Sleeping arrangements. As you know from my Man Hike Blog, (see previous blog) I am on day four with about six hours of sleep. The first night was in our own tents with our own gear. I was able to make up another four or five hours of sleep. Having to be up and packed by seven every day did not help.

The next night, when we went to set up camp, the staff took half our luggage and told us the airport lost it. We had to work as a squad and make do with what we had. All I had was the clothes on my back and a pillow someone lent me. Eventually some girls moved around to give the guys one more tent. So now I had a tent. I would have been fine, except that it was supposed to get into the low forties again. Another night with no sleep, shivering and shaking to keep from freezing.

By the time everyone was waking up I was sitting on a bench in the sunrise, trying to get a little warmer. I helped others pack as much as i could. Now I was on day six with a little over ten hours of sleep. I was done. This was the turning point for me at TC. I could give up and get some well needed sleep, or I could surrender myself and lean on The Lord for strength to make it through.

I chose the latter and am grateful I did, because the rest of training camp was a personal revival and reformation in me. Without being broken and tired my mind would not have had the walls that I put up shattered. That allowed me to take in so much more over the rest of the week.

The first half of the week was a physical and mental battle to release the chains I had put on my spirit. I would be able to cry, laugh, and dance with so much joy over the rest of Training Camp…

The struggles with sleeping and camping helped me realize some of the gear I have will not work and needs to be replaced. I will need help raising a little extra money for this gear. If you would like to donate for gear specifically email me at [email protected], otherwise to help me with the last push to be fully funded for the next year, please click the support me link at the top next to my status bar. Thank You.