I’ve been putting off writing this blog in hopes I’d have the words to put together on what happened at training camp and how it went. Today is the third day after being back and I still don’t quite have the words to put together. It was absolutely amazing!!! So, I’ll just type as I go and we’ll see what comes out.
I’m going to warn you that some information might get descriptive but, if you really want to know how it went, keep reading…
Training camp was in Georgia and an 11 day long camp where I got to meet the people that I will be spending most of 2018 with while we are out on the mission field. Our squad consists of 32 people. Through teachings from the Bible, team building activities, physical activities, cultural sessions and more, we learned more about Christ, ourselves and each other.
A typical day would consist of us waking up early and having to have our tent and gear all packed up and be at a meeting point by a certain time. We would then have some personal time until breakfast. Worship and sermon happened twice a day. In between, we would have more seminary teachings, team building and physical activities.
We would sometimes be put through simulations to experience what we could possibly experience when out on the mission field. Some scenarios were planned, such as the experience of a long “layover” and having to sleep the night on the floor on our sleeping pads in an “airport” while all the lights were on and a bunch of “airport background noise”. I will say this, we were all thankful for this night being that we got to sleep inside! The nights at camp got cold and tents do not really insulate well!
And then, there were some unplanned scenarios that I’m sure prepped us for the trip for sure! From time to time, we’d find out we were showering next to a scorpion or black widow spider haha… we are all okay though. No one got bitten! But those bucket showers… cold water when it’s about 40 degrees outside? It definitely brings you to appreciate deeply that which you have at home. Our showers consisted of cold water, a bucket and a measuring cup… yep.
It was incredible to see though how much each one of us grew in comparison to day 1 and day 11. I loved to see how each one left empowered by the Holy Spirit! We were so on fire that we were ready to leave and take on the world that very day! We walked in timid but left bold as lions!
I’d say one of my favorite days at camp was the day where we got to go out and evangelize. It was amazing to see the transformation in everyone that had happened in just a mere one hour. After receiving some teachings of how to evangelize; the how to, what to or what not to, etc. we then went out into town. After getting into our teams, we prayed, would listen to His still small voice and followed His lead. At first, we would be so nervous! Would stand in front of a door for about a minute, looking at each other to see who’d be willing to make the first knock, say the first word… some of us would walk aside, pray once more but… once that first encounter happened, such encouragement filled us! I personally was pretty nervous and would think, “what am I doing going on this trip? I can’t even bring myself to evangelize!” but God walked with me, with us, through it and I tell you, after that first conversation, I didn’t want to stop! I felt so empowered by the Holy Spirit! Something in me shifted, switched, I don’t know what exactly but… I know it is all praises to Jesus!
God equips the called…
To give you some more insight into camp, my team compiled an “All Time Lows” list. I’ll also add an “All Time Highs” of mine for you..
All Time Lows
Where you….
- use eight face wipes to de-brown your face
- your glasses fog just from putting them on because it’s 40 degrees outside
- calmly ask if there’s a spider on your face… and there is
- 4 of your squad still hasn’t washed their face on day 8 of training camp
- you take cold water bucket showers… enough said
- have a scorpion as a faithful bucket shower companion
- put peppermint oil under your eyes to stay awake
- can’t tell if the brown water in your bottle is coffee or dirt
- sleep with your hands down in your pockets to keep them warm
- wash all visible parts of your body in the warm Chick-fil-A sink water the one day we got to go into town
- brush your teeth via mint Oreos
- have to pack up your tent and supplies even though its raining and you’re in wet clothes the rest of the day because the weather isn’t warm enough for your clothes to “air dry”
Where these are normal conversations;
- “Mya you look cute! Did you change?” – “No”
- “Taylor I have something of yours!” – “Is it my dignity?”
- “Danielle what’s your all time low for the day?” – “I just burped up crickets”
- “What just hit me? Oh… hello cricket! I ate one of you today!”
- “I’m so glad to be around people who let their standards fall as far as mine”
All Time Highs
- Amazing worship sessions!!!
- Witnessing healings happen
- Finding out at breakfast that you get to have some hot water that day
- That you are loved by your squad mates for who you are… even though
- you’re wearing some of the same clothes probably 3rd day in a row… or 4th… or 5th….
- wearing no make up
- smelly because you’re avoiding the cold bucket shower because it’s so cold or just because there hasn’t been time
- Everyone laughs at your jokes… even if they’re not funny… but because we’re all just so tired and well, it’s all funny when you’re tired
- We love each other despite our imperfections and failures
- Finding out you get silverware for your meal and don’t have to eat with your hands or chopsticks
- Getting that little piece of chocolate
- The way your gratitude increases for hot showers and heaters
- When you get so comfortable with each other that you celebrate when someone has a Number 2 success!! …I warned you earlier this would get detailed
- When we find out we don’t have to pack our tent and gear the next morning
- When we find out we get to sleep in until 7am… I think that happened just once?
- The joy on everybody’s face as the love of Jesus encompasses them during worship
- When everyone shares what they have, even if it’s the last of it
- Finding out baby wipes will freshen you up enough if you skip out on that bucket shower. The word clean and fashion is lightly used
- Witnessing the breakthroughs in your squad mates because God is so good!!
- When you find out you get something other than rice for you meal!! – some insight, each day we would have foods of different cultures/countries. We even ate crickets!!
All in all, everything that happened at training camp was to prepare us as much possible for what life could be like on the field. From the possible “worst” scenarios, to “what could go wrong”, to “travel days” and so much more… not all the training can prepare us for everything but, we have the best guide that anyone can ask for and that is the Holy Spirit!
Can you hear His still small voice?
If not yet, He wants to talk with you, He wants an intimate relationship with you, He loves you! More than you can imagine…
And here are some pictures for you to enjoy… God bless you!!
My Squad!!
crickets…. It took me about 5 minutes to work up enough courage to get one into my mouth but I did it!! wohoo!
One of the nights we had to cook our chicken and veggies over a fire and sleep under the stars with just a tarp over our us as a “makeshift ceiling”. It actually wasn’t so bad! The worship around the fire was incredible!!
A corner of our campsite… each one had to bring their own tent. This prepared us for the days/month(s) where we could possibly not have a shelter to stay in and may need to sleep in our tent instead.
