Training camp is over. I’ve been home for several days and I still can’t decide if it’s already over, or finally over. My head and my heart are so full it’s hard to process the 11 jam-packed days I just experienced. So, partly for my processing benefit, but also your enjoyment and education, here’s a list of thoughts I had at, after or about TC. Some are helpful, some humorous, and some are totally random. In no particular order, here they are:
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If someone says it’s cold at night in Georgia, listen to them. You actually aren’t tougher than the weather, so bring that extra blanket.
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Crickets taste a bit like olives, only crunchier. I don’t like olives.
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A lot of World Race people call God ‘Papa” when they pray. I found it a bit odd at first, but it grows on you pretty quick.
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I was expecting my skin to break out at camp. It didn’t. My theory: tears make a good face cleanser.
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On a related note, if you’re even a bit emotional, bring tissues to Training Camp. Lots. Of. Tissues.
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Even at TC, my idea of what the World Race would look like changed. They tell you that your route is subject to change, but I didn’t expect them to add a 12th country! Which is, of course, subject to change again in the future. Plans are a fickle thing, you know.
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Microfibre towels are good in theory, but you’ll miss your real towel. Weigh your options carefully.
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Arguing with God is not worth your time. You never win, and it’s actually pretty cool what happens when you stop trying to control everything.
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If you have germ issues, don’t go on the World Race. Eating rice with your hands from a shared plate, anyone?
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You think you’ll shower daily. You will not. #wipelife
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I went for days without time by myself before my introvert brain started to melt. Being around the right people makes all the difference.
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It used to annoy me when people didn’t sing the right words during worship, but now I’m perfectly okay with it. Sing your own words, sing a different song, pray out loud, whatever works for you. After all, worship is from the heart, not lyrics read from a screen.
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Your squad will share everything if necessary. And sometimes if unnecessary. Q squad shared everything from snacks, to clothes, to this lovely cold I have. Thanks fam.
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Laundry is a pain and everyone else smells bad, so it’s almost not worth it to wash your clothes. Almost.
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Conversely, someone telling you that you smell nice is the highest praise.
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If y’all are around people from other places, you pick up on their lingo pretty quick, doncha know?
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Praying for healing for a squadmate, and being able to immediately see changes in them is a pretty remarkable thing to witness. Prayer works, people!
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Your squad will become family real fast. Q squad, I love y’all so much it’s kinda weird.
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I’m in better shape than I thought, because I finished the fitness test with a couple minutes to spare!
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I’m in worse shape than I thought, because I was routinely out of breath after walking from our campsite up the hill to the training centre. If you’ve been to the AIM campus, you know why that’s kind of sad.
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Sleep is life. I’m immensely thankful that my squad agrees.
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Bring a plastic garbage bag or two. You’ll thank me if you have to put your sopping wet tent in your pack on a rainy day.
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People are more likely to ask the Minnesotan if they’re from Canada than they are to ask the Canadian if they’re from Canada.
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Who needs to shower if you can get baptised at night in a kiddie pool surrounded by your newfound family instead?
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*gets into pool for baptism* “Oh, the water’s not actually that bad!” “Says the Canadian!”
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Airports aren’t actually that bad for sleeping.
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A missed flight isn’t the end of the world. Maybe it’s actually an opportunity to make your dream of taking a train halfway across the country a reality.
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God is totally, absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally amazing. In every possible sense of the word.
I hope you enjoyed that brief list. Believe me, I have a lot more to say about Training Camp, but that’s for another blog. Subscribe and stay tuned, I’ll be posting more between now and launch in January, and even more once I get on the field!
