On July 9-19 racers from all over came together for training camp in Gainesville, Ga. It was an intensive 10 days full of laughter, tears, and sweat…buckets of sweat!
It was so awesome to finally meet my squad in person and to know who would be on my team! Everyone is so nice and encouraging! I’m so excited I get to spend 9 months with these amazing people, traveling the world and sharing the love of Christ!
My squad
Training camp days consisted of sleeping in a tent for 10 nights and waking up drenched in sweat. Praise the Lord we got to sleep indoors with A/C for three nights because of thunderstorms! I had a lot of friends come sleep with me at night AKA BUGS…sooo many bugs. I killed spiders with my bare hands! Bucket showers…I’m talking take a bucket, fill it up with water from a water hose and then pour it on yourself in this little bitty stall in a shack. I actually didn’t mind them at all because the water was ice cold and it was a good 212 degrees outside! PORTA POTTIES…they speak for themselves so I’ll move along. Every day we had a different country and we had to dress the part…long skirts, hair wrapped, shoulders covered. We also ate different foods from the country including fried crickets for breakfast one day. Yes, I ate a cricket…crispy and salty! We had a two and a half mile hike wearing a 40 pound pack. We had dance parties, tent sleepovers, and Squad wars (we lost every game btw) but we did end up taking the dub in the dance competition!! We had back to back sessions all day, everyday on how to share the gospel with others and how to do so based on their culture.
My team – Hineni which means “here I am” in Hebrew
These 10 days were hard physically, emotionally and spiritually but I got to experience how my life will be for the next 9 months. I did struggle some with feeling inadequate and wondering if and how God could really use me. I know that’s the enemy putting fear and doubt in my head because he doesn’t want me or any of us to go. I’ve experienced what the church is and what it’s supposed to be. I’ve learned the importance of community while building relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our little neighborhood
Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support! Can’t wait to share more about my journey with you all!!!
