Training camp was fun, but also very physically, emotionally, and spiritually intense! Little did I know when I stepped on that plane to fly to Georgia just what I was getting myself into. They gave us some basic instruction on what to pack, but they didn’t go into the details on what exactly we would be doing. I had never been to Georgia before, but in my mind it was hot and humid all the time. Boy was I wrong! I woke up freezing cold my first night huddled on the ground because my super awesome, brand new, sleeping pad had a hole in it. I was also not expecting to have to pack up our stuff including our tents in the dark and rain, use port-a-potties, or take freezing cold bucket showers. I was thankful that I trained for the hike, and I made it 5 minutes faster than I needed to! Thanks for praying! Camp was very physically taxing, but it showed me how tough I am and how when I feel like I am at the end of what I can give, God will be faithful to give me the extra strength I need to get through.
We had lots of cool team building exercises and various sleeping scenarios that stretched us and helped us recognize our strengths as well as the strengths of our teammates. It is amazing how fast you get to know people when you are in close proximity with them for 10 days! It was so cool to see how a group of strangers could all come together as a family and help each other out. I was impressed with the lessons and different scenarios they put us through as well. Almost all of the lessons were taught by World Race alumni that have all been where we are now and know the most important things to pass along. They also had World Race alumni as our trainers for camp and to help facilitate our various activities. I really admired the depth of maturity and relationship with the Lord that my trainers had.
All of the World Race lingo can be really confusing (even for me!) so I’m going to break it down so it makes more sense.
Squad: the group of racers that are all going to travel to each country together. My squad is E squad, our color is blue, and there are 31 of us total.
Squad Mentor: World Race alumni that has committed to praying for us and following each of our journeys and will support us from the states. Our mentor will come out to the field four times while we are out there.
Squad Coaches: Older married couple that has lots of life experience and wisdom to pass on to us
Squad leaders: Four World Race alumni that will live and serve with us for the first few months of the race
Trainers: World Race alumni that help with training camp, most of whom are currently squad mentoring for a squad that is already on the field
Team: Group of 6 or 7 people from the squad that are living and serving together at a specific ministry site.
Here is a picture of my squad:
And this is my team of 7:
We called our team His Pride, because we were initially given the team Lions name by one of our trainers. We all liked it and the symbolism of the lion being courageous, bold, and wise. So we chose His Pride for our name as a spin off of the lions and because we are God’s pride and joy. I am so excited to grow and serve alongside this awesome group of people!
My biggest take away from training camp was to be intentional. Be intentional about spending time growing in my faith, be intentional about taking care of myself and my personal development, be intentional about taking care of my team, and finally to be intentional about loving and caring for each person I meet. This is not a new concept for me, but it was good to have that reminder and see it from a different perspective. It doesn’t have to take years for someone’s life or heart to change. It can happen in a few minutes, a few hours, a few days, or a month. A month is enough time to make a difference, and I am up for the challenge!
In Him,
Heidi
