Training Camp Recap: “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
Our squad had just returned from a two mile, full gear hike in the middle of July in Gainesville, Georgia. It was hot. We were sweaty. It was going on about the third day of camp and I still hadn’t showered. After the hike, it was pretty clear what I had to do…. BUCKET SHOWER.
Of course, like any twenty-something woman, I was apprehensive. But I remembered that earlier in the week at camp, my squad leader had asked us, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” It really hit me because I couldn’t answer it.
I stood in the outdoor shower looking down at the blue bucket of ice cold water in front of me, and the words of my squad leader replayed in my mind over and over.
Here goes nothin’. I was about to shower outside for the first time with nothing but a bucket and a cup to help me.
Splash!
The ice cold water ran down my muddy, sweaty, smelly extremities and I gasped from the chilling shock of the water. It literally took my breath away.
Okay, I thought. That wasn’t so bad. Rubba dub dub!!!
There I was, staring at this blue bucket in the middle of the woods, and I thought, “ Am I really doing this?”
…Am I really doing this?
I asked myself this question many times during my ten day stay in the woods, and the bucket shower was the tip of the iceberg (literally).
Am I really doing…
…the bucket showers?
…the incredible worship sessions?
…the food (or lack thereof)?
…the dance battles?
…the insanity of trying to keep track 37 strangers and all of their names?
…the spiders?
…the vulnerability?
…the laughs?
…the cries?
…the prayers?
…the friendships?
…the love?
Before camp I was under the impression that I would go and learn some stuff, meet some people, and leave. I got to camp and yeah, I learned some stuff and met some pretty spectacular people, but I left with so much more.
Even though I can be pretty stubborn sometimes, I also like a challenge. I was challenged at camp. I was challenged to indulge in the Lord and take in all He has to offer.
I was challenged to open up and get to know so many people who were complete strangers to me. I was challenged to stop stuffing all my emotions and to let others in. I was challenged to eat tuna. I was challenged to use my dance moves in a historic dance battle. I was challenged to take bucket showers. I was challenged to forgive. I was challenged to surrender. I was challenged to tell my story, to share my shame, to share my happiness, to give others my burdens and also give my joy. I was challenged to be my authentic self.
If all of these things were easy, they wouldn’t be called a challenge. Camp was hard at times. But even though I was challenged, I was also liberated. I found so much freedom at training camp.
Can I just tell you how liberating it feels to take a bucket shower? At first it sucked, but after the first splash I felt so free. After all these challenges, I feel like I can do anything. The question, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” doesn’t seem so intimidating or scary anymore.
From day one of training camp to day ten, “Am I really doing this?” became I AM REALLY DOING THIS!!!! I was only at training camp for ten days–I can’t imagine what the next eleven months hold!
And so, I challenge YOU. When was the last time you’ve done something for the first time? I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, because that is when we truly find our freedom!
Meet my squad! Squad W
These 38 beautiful people, I now consider my family. Before camp they were complete strangers but I can’t picture life now without these goofballs. The squad consists of teams of 6-7 people. Each team will be doing different projects, ministry and will live together in various areas of the countries we are placed in. After the first 4-5 months teams will switch and some people may take leadership roles.
Meet my team!! Team Discover and Disciple (Team DD)
Starting from left to right.
Rachel, Kristen, Kim, Abbie, (Me), and Kim
Can I just brag on my team! We are the best team ever 🙂
I’m absolutely so excited to do life with these five ladies! We all come from different parts of the United States and bring so much life, laughter and knowledge to one another. I can’t imagine what 4 months in Eastern Europe with these beautiful women holds. I can’t wait for y’all readers and supporters to be apart of every step of the way!
