Q&A on World Race training camp
QUESTION 1: What is World Race training camp?
ANSWER 1: World Race training camp is a 10 day camp in Georgia that prepares you for the mission field. We learned what was, and wasn’t ok to say or do in other countries. We learned appropriate attire, we learned how to set up camp, and how to prepare for the worst. We bonded with the people we are going to be living with for the next year, and we learned about other religions. We learned how to evangelize, and how to show others the Gospel, and how to bring others to God.
QUESTION 2: Whats one thing God taught you at training camp?
ANSWER 2: Community!!! God taught me how to be part of a community. Its like a plant. It takes time to grow, and develop, you have to water the plant, but you can’t over water it. The plant needs sunshine, but not to much sunshine. He showed me how to care for the people surrounding me, and he showed me what its like to be cared for.
QUESTION 3: Did you shower?
ANSWER 3: Yes I did shower. BUCKET SHOWERED! For ten days I waited in hour long lines, to take a 5 minute cold water bucket shower. Most mornings I woke up at 6 am just to beat the lines.
QUESTION 4: What inspired you to do it?
ANSWER 4: Around the age of 6 my family started going to church regularly, and if I’m being honest I hated it. I hated it because I didn’t have a relationship with God. Years went on and my family was still going to church, and I still hated it. I wanted to feel what my family was feeling, because obviously they were feeling something I wasn’t, because they enjoyed church. One day my mom showed me a add for the World Race. I wasn’t finding God at home, so I thought maybe I could find him doing something I love, traveling. But I Found God earlier than expected, so now I get to travel, and help others find him.
QUESTION 5: What helped you grow close to your squad in just 10 days?
ANSWER 5: Im going to let you in on a secret. Night 1, I was a mess. I think we were all a mess. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and it felt like there was no hope in trying to make friends. ( yes thats very dramtic ) But with everyday that went by we got closer. By day 6 we were comparing armpit hair. ( most of us forgot razors, but surprisingly many people were quick to offer their razors ) What helped the most was free time. When everyone could’ve gone back to the campsite, but decided to stay at the dinning patio and play card games, jam on the ukulele, sing, tell testimonies, make handshakes, and just being able to enjoy each others presence. Everyone is so different, but we all share the same love for God.
QUESTION 6: What has been the hardest part?
ANSWER 6: Leaving training camp was the hardest part. Being surrounded by so much love, and so many Jesus loving people, was amazing. I could say whatever I wanted, and not once did I feel like I was being judged. Talking about God, and my past was so easy, and it was so liberating. But at training camp you are in this little protected bubble. And once I left training camp I felt like I was seeing with new eyes, I can see all the brokenness of this world. I am vulnerable. It was easy to fill myself with the Holy Spirit at camp, but as soon as I left the enemy was back in full swing. The only difference between now and before training camp, is now I am equipped with skills I didn’t have before. I know how to fight back.
QUESTION 7: Can I join y’all?
ANSWER 7: unfortunately, not this year. But the World Race is always looking for Racers to join. Gap year routes for next year should be released soon!
QUESTION 8:Why did you decide to get baptized at training camp?
ANSWER 8: I didn’t feel like there was a point in waiting to declare me his. After finding him 3 weeks ago, and getting rid of all doubt, I wanted to be new through him. Alive through him. I wanted to make an outward declaration, something to remind myself that I have committed to him, and I have committed to a new lifestyle.
QUESTION 9: What was your favorite part of training camp?
ANSWER 9: My favorite part about training camp (besides the friends I made) was worship. Almost every night we had an hour of worship. Yes, we sang, but we shouted, we yelled, we danced, we let loose. Some people were on their knees, others held their hands so high in the air. It was so authentic, genuine, and so intentional. I felt the Holy Spirit in the room every single time we worshipped.
QUESTION 10: What was your least favorite part of training camp?
ANSWER 10: The Georgia weather! Every day we had to pack and unpack are stuff, including tents. It was a lot of work, so instead of unpacking and setting up my tent, I slept in the hammock I brought. The first night I slept in my hammock, when I went to bed it was HOT, so I slept with my sleeping liner which is thinner than a sheet. I woke up around 3am FREEZING!! My sleeping bag was packed in the very bottom of my bag, so I had to rough it in the cold. 2 nights later, after checking the weather, and deciding it wasnt going to rain ( and learned my lesson and unpacked my sleeping bag) it started to pour, and I hadn’t unpacked my tent. So I covered up with my sleeping bag, and tried to pretend like it wasn’t raining that hard, I woke up with a little less than an inch of water in my hammock with me. So yea, gotta love that Georgia weather.
QUESTION 11:How did it change your perspective about your upcoming trip?
ANSWER 11: Training camp made me so excited about going on the race. I kept saying at training camp: I wish this was launch, I wish we were on a plane to Costa Rica right now, I can’t wait to go! It didn’t feel real until training camp, and I’m so excited to go now that time is going by so slow. Training camp made me confident in my ability to evangelize, and spread His word.
