Training Camp: AKA Boot Camp

 

For the most part training camp was more like “boot camp”. It was nothing like I thought it would be mainly because they didn’t tell us anything about it leading up to our arrival. There was a lot of secrecy surrounding things and they said it would help prepare us for the unexpected and to keep us focused on the present so that we wouldn’t worry about the future. For instance, we would wake-up and they would tell us that breakfast was at 8:15am and that was all we knew about the day. We didn’t find out our next activity until it was time to actually do it and it certainly made us take one thing at a time which tested my obsessive need for planning and knowing what the future holds! With that being said, I loved every moment of it! The secrecy thing is so important that we are not allowed to reveal many of the activities that we did over our blog so that future World Racers will be surprised when it’s time for their camp. However, I can’t wait to tell you all the details in person! All I can say is that I nearly drowned (literally), slept in a bathroom, wore lipstick (yikes!) and had to eat (or at least try to eat) foods pertaining to the countries we will be ministering to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will have to say that leading up to camp I was concerned about what the focus would be. By this I mean I was worried that my squad-mates would be so caught-up in our destinations and “exploring” more than the ministry side of things. All I can say is that ever since I stepped into camp I had a great peace about the people I will be serving with over the next year. I had awesome conversations with many of my new “family” and it is amazing how close we all became.  Who knew 57 people could become so close in such a short time?  We are ALL excited to share Christ throughout the world and to grow spiritually and emotionally. My favorite part of camp was the community and trust we shared with one another and when we would get together on our own time and simply talk about the Kingdom and how we desire to represent Christ. We are a community of believers with different gifts, talents, personalities, and backgrounds but we are united as family set out to bring the good news and serve those around the world. We are children of God wanting to humble ourselves and loose our pride for a greater purpose. Ever sense Nicaragua I have had a passion to undo the misunderstandings of religion and focus on what truly matters. I want to see believers turn to the way Jesus intended the church to be so that others will come to know Christ as their personal Savior. I am excited to say that my squad-mates share the same passion!

 

 

TEAM COLLISION: Within our squad of 57 people are smaller teams. My team of 7 people, which is going to be the people I spend most of my time with, is pictured below. From left to right is Lauren Ricks, Me, our team leader Lindsay Short, Evan Kinney, Melissa Lowell, and our married couple Cory and Jessie German. Teams can change throughout the year and in many countries there will be several teams from my squad serving together in the same ministry. God has certainly blessed me with some cool teammates and I cannot wait to serve alongside them! We named our team “Collision” because we want to see Heaven meet earth and have God’s word collide with our lives and with the darkness of the world.

 

There is much more that couldn’t fit into this blog so please ask me questions. I would love to talk about it!

 

Also, please continue to pray for team/squad unity, strength and safety. Pray that we will continue to lose our expectations and simply follow where God leads us in this journey.