Each person going on the World Race is required to attend and participate in a 10 day training camp in Gainsville, Georgia. This would be the time for our squad to meet each other, and to go through experiences that would bond us and prepare us for the year ahead. To say we were all nervous is an understatement. I had heard rumors of this training camp – rumors that made me anxious. For those of you who know me – I like to keep lists, schedules, and an agenda to get everything done. My planner is full of labels, highlights, and sticky notes. So, not knowing what we would be doing was KILLING me. However, I got over that REAL quick. The World Race training camp prepared me in ways I didn’t know I needed to be prepared. It is hard to explain in detail the feelings, thoughts, and discoveries I had and made throughout the week. Below I will break down some of the experiences and highlights from my time in Georgia, but please text me, call me, meet up for some coffee and a good conversation, etc. to get the real scoop (as I like to call it – the dirty deets – literally, dirty).
Before Training Camp:
I decided to head to training camp the day before we were required to be there. Another girl going on the race with me, Julia, lived nearby in Tampa. So, we decided to meet up at the airport, fly together to Atlanta, and stay over night with a friend of mine who lives in Georgia. Julia and I met at the airport, had conversation about what we packed and what we forgot to pack, and in no time we landed. As we walked to baggage claim, I told Julia, “You know, I should probably tell you who we are staying with for the night. We are staying with a couple named Sofia & Andy. I have only met Sofia twice in person (but talked with her several times for work over the phone), and I’ve never actually met Andy. BUT, I’m sure it will be fine.” Julia responded, “Cool. As long as we have a roof over our heads, i’m up for anything!” So there we were, 2 strangers headed to spend the night with a friend from work who Julia didn’t know and I knew only from work phone conversations.
We got to baggage claim, and there stood Andy & Sofia with the biggest smiles welcoming us to Atlanta. Instantly, Andy recognized my friend Julia. “Did you go to Land O’ Lakes High School?,” he asked her. It turns out that Andy, Sofia, AND Julia all went to high school with each other. CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW SMALL OUR WORLD IS? Literally, how did that happen!?!? I knew from that point on, God was going to do some major things in my life that would make me rethink everything and show me just how “into the details” He really is. How small I felt in that moment. How dare I worry about anything when God is in total control and orchestrated that very moment.
Anyways, Julia and I spent the rest of the day with Sofia and Andy. This beautiful couple SHOWERED us in generosity, kindness, and FOOD. They absolutely spoiled us with their company, delightful conversation, homemade meals, and the list could go on and on. They even drove us back to the airport the next morning to catch the shuttle to training camp. I can’t help but brag on them because I was so inspired and awed at the way they both live life and all they are doing. (Andy & Sofia, y’all are the best of the best! Thanks for taking us in!)
We got to the airport the next morning, and then the nerves began to sink in.
During Training Camp:
To wrap up the entire 10 days in full detail would be impossible. This is where those coffee dates will come in handy;) To sum it all up: We slept in tents through the rain, we endured many obstacles thrown our way, we used porta potties until they piled higher than you want to imagine, we took bucket showers to get clean, we packed and repacked our tents and bags several times, we were put through situations that we may encounter on the race, we were tested, we were challenged. It was a HARD week. We were dirty, smelly, tired, hungry, you name it. But, the challenge was worth the effort.
To wrap up the entire 10 days in full detail would be impossible. This is where those coffee dates will come in handy;) To sum it all up: We slept in tents through the rain, we endured many obstacles thrown our way, we used porta potties until they piled higher than you want to imagine, we took bucket showers to get clean, we packed and repacked our tents and bags several times, we were put through situations that we may encounter on the race, we were tested, we were challenged. It was a HARD week. We were dirty, smelly, tired, hungry, you name it. But, the challenge was worth the effort.
When I got to training camp, I had awkward conversations with 43 strangers. Yes, we are all still awkward, but it’s a comfortable kind of awkward. You know how you can be a complete fool while acting goofy with your own family and not be embarrassed? That’s it. I now have a brand new family filled with 43 young people who are weird, quirky, unique, passionate, called, and FILLED with the love of Christ.
My squad consists of 43 people who will be traveling with me from each country to the next. Our squad has a leadership team (mobilizer, coaches, mentor, leaders) who have and will continue to pour into our lives throughout the year, and even visit us on the field. We are BLESSED to have such incredible leaders investing into our lives. During training camp, we were then divided into our teams. A team consists of 6-8 people who we will be doing the actual ministry with. Once we get to a country, we then divide into our teams, and spread out throughout the country to work with different organizations. Here is my team:
We are excited to do ministry with each other throughout the next year! Although the forming of teams, field scenarios, and physical training took up a lot of the time at training camp, our spiritual training was also a big part of the week.
The first half of camp was hard. It was hard because they encouraged us to look at our life – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We talked through and shared our insecurities, our past, our fears – the things I generally avoid talking about. I would catch myself apologizing for crying through a story, until I realized that it is OKAY to be vulnerable and let yourself cry. It’s okay to be in pain, to be angry with God, and to be vulnerable with others. There is freedom that comes along with opening up with others and communicating with God. I was amazed at the hardships that others on my team have faced: death, hurt, rape, addictions, abuse. The Devil can use these past stories to haunt us, to make us feel like we have nothing to offer, to get inside our heads and tell us we aren’t good enough. But throughout this week, you know what I saw? I saw men and women who are not listening to the freaking Devil, but showing Him instead how POWERFUL our God is. That instead of self-destructing and feeling sorry for ourselves and listening to the Devil – They have dedicated to serve CHRIST for the next year letting their voices and stories be heard for the GOOD and to impact others of the breakthrough that has happened in their life. Through my tears, through my sharing – I all of a sudden didn’t feel alone in the hurt I had been feeling. Instead, I felt encouraged and even empowered that my story mattered. And it does matter. Your story matters too.
After Training Camp:
I am so ready to start this next chapter of life, and I’m excited for you to follow along with me. I’m asking you all to hold me accountable. My goal for this next year is to become CONFIDENT in who I am and not let fear stop me from chasing after the life Jesus has called me to.
My squad and I will be launching for the World Race at the very beginning of October. We will meet again for a few days in Georgia for a final preparation, and then we will be sent off to Costa Rica. Please keep our leadership team, the squad, and all smaller teams in your prayers. God’s hand has been in every single piece and step so far, and I have a feeling He has more in store for us.
Thanks for supporting me and showing me so much love. I have felt so encouraged and covered in prayer, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am without all of you.
