Time flies, and I can’t believe that it has already been over a week since I’ve arrived at Training Camp here at World Race. So much has happened over the course of the last week, and I would love to share with you some of our daily camp life.
I have got a good team to work with that I have gotten close to in a relatively short amount of time. Crazy how quickly you can create bonds with others. I know what it’s like to sleep in a tent outside for longer than a four-day weekend (until I got placed in quarantine, more on that later). My tent is one of about 30 tents set up together in the woods. It is a nice little spot with everybody’s tents, hammocks, and clotheslines with towels and clothes. I also got to experience what it’s like to take a shower with a bucket and a mixing cup. We used buckets that you fill with a hose to use as your shower in your stall. I ran two miles with a fully loaded backpack for our fitness test that we have to pass before we get to go on the field. I had to complete this in less than 38 minutes, and I’m thankful I was able to do that! Our camp has strict corona virus containment measures (social distancing, masks, etc.) which are inconvenient, obviously, but understandably needed. Temperature checks are taken every morning, and the squad is split up to contain an outbreak should one occur. This leads me to the next part of my first week at camp.
A few days ago I developed a slight cough (an off and on tickle in my throat that goes away as soon as it arrives), so as I’m writing this I am in a quarantine room and have been for 4 days. I am really believing this is just allergies, but I had to be honest about the cough thing. There are several pros and several cons to it being stuck in quarantine. It is nice having my food brought up to me and I’m being taken care of by staff. And while I have always enjoyed alone time, I am missing out on the outside. I get to Zoom in to all the worship and meetings, but miss being with my squad and experiencing camp with my friends. (I’m thankful for friends who played cards with me under the door last night). Hopefully my test comes back pretty soon, and I can get back to “tent life”. Although this whole thing is out of my comfort zone for many reasons, I am thankful to be here, and I know that any struggles I have are beginning to prepare me for life in a Third World country. We have clean water and great food here, we have a decent, safe facility as well. Most importantly, we are free to worship God. It’s good to be stretched! It’s good to be grateful.
