Almost two weeks until Training Camp! I am feeling excitement, nerves, apprehension, joy, and anticipation for my first trip to Georgia. It seems about time to share some logistics for this next step as well as some details about how God is asking me to prepare my heart, mind and backpack to get the most out of this experience.
First of all: A HUGE thank you to everyone that has been so supportive in getting me this far into this journey! I’ve received an overwhelming amount of emotional, material and financial support from close family, distant family, old friends I haven’t heard from in years, new friends, and friends of friends who heard about the trip and jumped in! Fundraising is never comfortable but it has become a stretching experience in prayer and planning. It also forced me to dive deep into my reasons for this trip, examine my own confidence in God’s calling, and throw off self-criticizing insecurity as I realize that every step of the World Race (even fundraising) is way less about me and way more about Him. phew.
The details that have been officially shared about Training Camp are scarce and fairly cryptic (i.e. be prepared for anything) but here is what I do feel confident in knowing, from official sources and stalking previous World Racer’s blogs n’ vlogs about their own TC experience!
I will fly into Atlanta Georgia in the early morning hours of October 19th and hop on a bus to Gainesville where I will set up a tent and prepare to camp in the mountains for 10 days. ‘No shower, portapotty only, eat what they give you’ camping.
Experiencing this with me will be my entire squad (R Squad/Blue Squad) and the three other squads launching in January! I’ll meet my squad mobilizer Bella, who has the huge job of getting 50 young people prepared for launch, and our squad mentor Megan, who will be our main office contact for the 11 months we’re on the field and will visit 4-5 times around the World! We will also meet our Coaches, life-long missionaries currently based in Greece who will also make trips throughout the year to support and guide us with their own story and expertise.
Weather in Gainesville for October 19-29th is predicted to range between low 50s to low 70s with some sun, some clouds, and some rain so this will be a great testing ground for packing and wearing layers! They also try to incorporate as much real World Race preparation into this camp as possible and set up scenarios that we have to adapt to. Examples I’ve seen include “sleeping in an airport” “fit as many people as possible in a tent” “eat a cricket” “makeshift your own tent” “walk 3miles with your entire pack” and “eat a traditional meal from every country”. I expect to be exhausted, fulfilled, inspired, tested and more prepared for launch at the end of it!
However, Training Camp and even the World Race itself has the potential to range from the best, most life-changing, challenging, growing, wonderful experience ever… alllll the way to why-did-i-do-this-this-is-ridiculous-im-so-annoyed-with-everyone-please-leave-me-alone-forever.
To prevent that, God has asked me to create some brain space to consider the following ideas and perspectives that will set me up to be present and thrive through good days and bad days.
1. Historically, when I am in uncomfortable social situations I react with either loud brashness, sarcastic humor, and fake energy or I crawl into an introverted thinking shell and rely on others to set the group’s tone while I passively choose whether to engage or not. I intend to do NEITHER in Georgia. Instead, God is instructing and refining an effort in me to be a quiet voice of presence. Studying social justice issues surrounded by passionate intellectuals has provided me with the ability to out-logic and debate with just about anyone. But who has learned about God from a debate? How am I revealing His love or temperament with sarcasm, witty fact-checking, or self-absorbed judgemental silence? I aim to have a quiet voice. Quiet, but intentionally employed to call people up with truth instead of plain calling them out.
2. God is asking me to learn vulnerability and to share myself with others. I have lived in fear of being criticized or judged for too long. He has asked me to acknowledge that my passion for knowing and understanding others can go sour when I use it to deflect opportunities to share about what God has done for me.
3. Finally, I have to continue submitting to the process. Applying and interviewing to the Race, it was clear that the leaders have a plan and process to make the World Race a positive experience. My inner cynic, another defensive tool, has always felt incredibly justified in rebelling against rules I don’t understand or agree with. I think God loves when independent thought rebukes societal rules and leads me back to His Truth. But that independence must continually submit to His authority with humility. When I feel a pinprick of discomfort I must ask myself “Is this because I have been asked to do something God does not agrees with? Or has my pride simply been offended?” As a guest of Adventures in Missions in Georgia, and as a guest of many diverse partners around the globe, my intention will be one of respectful adherence to the instruction of the leaders, and I’ll leave my soapbox at home.
Thanks so much for reading! I appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for camp and will let everyone know how it goes!
Xo Hannah
