I’m writing this to tell you about training camp. My blog I typed up while I was in White, Georgia, is on my roommate’s laptop and I never had the chance to get it posted. So, I decided to just type up a new one and review the whole training as thoroughly and quickly as I can.
God took 10 days and turned my world upside down. I have quite a story about how my plans to get from Denver to Atlanta had gone completely haywire – I had spent 4 extra hours, stuck on a plane that was delayed multiple times and surprise landed in NC, and really began to wonder about it all; asking God, Is this how you’re going to tell me that this isn’t for me? After I was so sure I heard your voice? So, by the time I first got to training camp, I was unsure if I was supposed to be there. I felt like a complete stranger. I felt disconnected. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to go on the World Race. But by the time I left, everything had changed. I felt more at home with the people I met than I could’ve imagined. I was positive that going on this trip in October is what I’m supposed to do. It helped that God confirmed it through a lot of different people. And, as I left, I realized that the 60 or so people in the October group (known as the S-SQUAD!) had become more than friends even. I was suddenly part of a very large family, made up of people just as crazy as I am. Even people on the other squads (Q and R; leaving in September) became people I could trust with anything.
Each day looked something like this: Wake up at 6:30 to be ready to exercise by 7. I don’t do 6:30, or 7 for that matter – and I sure don’t ever work out that early! So all week, it was a real struggle! Some days we ran. Some days we just walked. Some days we did whatever we felt like. Either way, the insane Georgia humidity and heat made it a challenge! After that we’d have free time till breakfast, then session time throughout the day between meals. Days were themed – so we had Africa day, Asia day, and so on – and the food was themed around the specific parts of the world. We had some interesting food, but in my opinion, it was all delicious. The end of the day would come around 10 or 11, but some nights it was later. We’d have prayer/worship time under the Pavilion and sometimes we’d just go forever.
This WR training camp was the biggest they’ve ever had, so it was pretty hectic sometimes. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Each and every person I got to meet and talk to had an incredible heart for the Lord – they all seem to want more than a comfortable life. They all seem to love God in such a way that they HAVE to do something a little extreme to bring His love to the far places of the world. A group totaling around 200 people (Q, R, and S squads), ages 20-35 or so, have ALL signed up for something a little crazy. And yes, people do think we’re a little insane. But maybe we are!
A glimpse into the random happenings:
- Sang Disney songs in the shower. Loudly. With Chelsea.
Worshipped, under the pouring rain, by choice. - Planned a whole day around whatever God told us to do.
- Heard from other groups that evening about how God used them in really miraculous ways.
- Caught a toad, in my hand, and rescued him!
- Sang more Disney songs while washing dishes with WONDERFUL people.
- Washed my hair in the sink – because the shower line was WAY too long.
- Took a nap in some crazy heat, in a hammock, inside my little cabin.
- Was introduced to the infamous “Chigger”
- Ate at a barbecue place that didn’t have a name? It was good though!
- Picked up pine needles to make a “bed” for the guys.
