It’s been too long, but I’m finally getting this training camp blog written out! Now, what to write!? Those ten days were so overwhelming, so full of new experiences. I never knew so many emotions and experiences could be felt and had in such a short period of time! And this is only the beginning of the journey!
The Struggle
I’ll begin by saying that training camp was a stretching experience. And boy, is that an understatement. Probably the hardest thing in my life that I’ve deliberately chosen to do. It started out by leaving the Northwest, my home, for the first time in my life. On the first plane ride of my life. For the longest time I’ve ever been away from home. That was a huge struggle. Being away from home and family for ten days isn’t much, but when you realize that after two short months at home it’ll be this way for almost a year, it becomes a lot more real. This was the first time I can remember ever being really homesick.
Eno City-I was glad to have my hammock for a reminder of home
The Smell
I won’t dwell on this long, because, to put it simply, it’s nasty. Let’s just say things get desperate when 250 people are using the same few port-a-potties and all trying to get to one of the few bucket showers, for ten days. Wet wipes are your best friend, but they aren’t a real shower. I pity the poor souls who were next to me on the plane home!
The Community
Where do I begin!? I am blessed to be a part of a squad of 44 incredible Racers and leaders. We shared tents, clothes, meals, and hammocks, as well as struggles, victories, and growth. It was incredible getting to meet everyone in person, to get to know them on a deeper level, and to see all of the crazy cool things God is doing in their lives, whether they began at training camp or years before! I’m honored to be able to go on this awesome adventure with all of them! Who knew 44 near strangers could become family in just 10 days!? I’ll begin this journey with 6 incredible women on our team “Warriors of Peace”, who you can meet by clicking “Meet My Team” on the side of this blog. They’re all amazing women of God and it will be incredible to do life with them for the first few months of the Race!
My team: Warriors of Peace
The Emotions
As I mentioned, training camp was an emotional roller coaster. We were all homesick, stressed, and a little worried about fundraising, and that was just when we arrived. Throughout the ten days, we delved deep into emotional and spiritual struggles almost constantly. We lived in tents, ate outside, and were exposed what food might realistically look like for the next year. Rice, beans, and lentils are fantastic, but it was an adjustment (please, no more lentils!). It was totally draining, but God started doing some incredible things in the lives of so many people. It was an awesome experience waking up each day more tired and hungry than the last, wondering what new challenges it would bring, and yet feeling excited for what God was going to do next. And this was only the beginning!
“Airport Night”-The faces of sleep deprivation
Oh yeah, and SQUAD WARS!!!
Each squad leaving in January competed for the title of Squad Wars Champion. Six entered, and one emerged victorious. GO E SQUAD!!!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated and has been praying for me and my squad! You’re the best! (And thanks to the squad mates who posted these photos on Facebook that I borrowed.)
