T R A I N I N G C A M P (round 2)

Training camp! Dude, I love it so much. Training camp (TC) is a requirement for going on the World Race because it is where you meet your squad for the first time (the people you are traveling with), get some essential teachings and a chance to test out your packing skillz.

A big difference this year was the COVID-19 precautions. Everyone got tested for COVID before arriving and once there, we were quarantined by squads. We didn’t interact with anyone other than our squadmates and leaders. There were daily temperature checks and health surveys and cleaning.

TC is a lot of fun. As a squad we camp together and get put through different scenarios. By the end you’re almost an expert at packing up your gear. We get to try food from different cultures and practice dressing appropriately for that culture. 

As much as I would love to tell you everything that happened, I don’t want to spoil anything for future racers. I do want to say this though: Embrace everything that training camp throws at you. You’re not gonna pack the right things (btw, you’re packing too much), you won’t get a lot of sleep and you will probably feel shy and awkward in the beginning. It’s beautiful and amazing, just remember to bring snacks.

(I started feeling a little guilty about how little I have revealed so here is how I packed my main pack. Forgot to include my traveling pillow which rolls up and tent. Tent attaches on the bottom of my back although I have so much extra room that I could fit all but the poles in the pack).

Meet I-Squad! These are the beautiful people that I will be spending 11 months with (plus leadership in picture). When I think of I-Squad, the first word that comes to mind is “Free”. I pray that we will feel free to be ourselves and to stand firm in our identity as sons and daughters of God. That we will be free to share the gospel and to serve others.

My team! These are the people I will be spending the first 3-4 months with. We are the STORM CHASERS! The inspiration for the name came from when our teams were revealed. We had to walk around the room with our eyes closed and loudly give a weather forecast as we listened for others saying the same thing. Once we found each other, while others were loudly following their own prompts, we were allowed to open our eyes. 2 of my teammates are relaunching with me from E-Squad, Tito having been on my previous team!

At TC we are BLESSED with some amazing teachings. They range from identity to the voice of God to understanding cultural lenses. Here are some quotes that stuck out to me.

• God doesn’t look at you and see your mistakes or sins. He sees your potential. -Tim Dilbeck

• Some of us live under the idea that we have to beg God for forgiveness. We need to shift from begging for forgiveness to thanking Him for it. -Karen Dilbeck

• The essence of God never changes, his character is predictable (his love, trustworthiness, justice, etc). The way God does things is unpredictable. -Deon Vanstaden

• The church is the only thing that can be united, as it is designed to be. -Stephanie Jansen

• Tell stories from scars, not wounds.

• Emotion is the voice of your body. Reason is the voice of your mind. Conviction is the voice of the spirit. -Deon Vanstaden

• The price for God’s presence is time. The purpose of God’s presence is change. The product of God’s presence is power. -Deon Vanstaden

• Don’t create theology around your experiences. -Deon Vanstaden

I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to attend TC again. That God has called me back on The World Race. I wouldn’t be who I am today, I wouldn’t have the amazing friends nor seen God’s heart in people around the world if not for this opportunity. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us this time. I’m ready to have my mind blown again.