Training Camp Diaries

 

Training Camp. How do you even begin to describe an experience that wrecked all the previous beliefs you had about yourself in a matter of 10 days. I went in to the trip with anxieties, fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, and shame sitting upon my shoulders. I walked in not knowing who I would be meeting, what types of food I would be eating or what type of bathroom I would have. I went in as a girl who felt unworthy of love, unsure of discomfort, and searching for the thing that my heart has been missing. I was a girl who planned and replanned her week in her planner instead of actually living life. I thought the more I scheduled out my time the more control I would have over my life. HA. Part of the beauty of this training camp is they don’t really tell you what to expect. There really is no way to know how it will go for each person and even so, adaptability is one of the most important tools when traveling the world and especially when listening to what God has for you. 

 

So here are just a few of the things I learned at training camp this year…

 

Even though I checked the weather many times, I still didn’t seem to understand how cold 40 degrees really gets at night when you are outside in a tent. Let me just say a blanket is NOT a good substitute for a sleeping bag. 

 

Also you have no idea when or how hard it is going to rain, so check and DOUBLE check that your tent can withstand rain if you don’t want to be woken up by sky tears in the middle of the night. 

 

Thank you porta potties for teaching me that even though we are all eating the same foods, everyone’s poop still looks different. #unique 

 

‘On time’ does NOT mean the same thing to everyone. Thank you for your patience my squad mates.

 

Don’t ask what is in the food, just eat it. It wont be as scary as you think and your mind will make it out to be a lot worse than it is. Did you know chicken cooked in hot dog water may end up looking like tongue? Yeah, me either. 

 

Some exotic foods are better left watching others attempt to eat it.

 

Culture is vastly different around the world and we (Americans) take our freedom for granted. 

 

People are not as scary as they may seem and we all just want to be loved and accepted (click here for blog about John). 

 

If you lead with love you have an exponentially higher chance of connecting with someone. 

 

No matter how many times you have to pack and repack you are not guaranteed to remember how you did it the last time. 

 

Your story matters.

 

Community is INCREDIBLE, if you do it right. 

 

Championing other people is my new favorite pastime. 

 

God will wreck your life and give you your true identity if you let him.

 

Fully surrendered Worship is my heart song. #Hineni

 

You do not need as many clothes/shoes/stuff as you think you do. 

 

A giraffe onesie is perfectly acceptable attire, and will bring great warmth when your Californian brain doesn’t understand how cold 40 degrees actually is. It also works great for breaking down walls to tell people how fully loved they are.

 

There are people that actually want to help meet your needs, you just have to express them. #vulnerablybold

 

You cannot fully express love to others until you know how worthy and loved you are. This is not a cliche but my actual experience, which I firmly believe in. 

 

I will most likely lose a lot of weight in Asia due to portion sizes. Don’t worry I will gain it all back in South America. 

 

Pray for people. If you don’t know how, ask someone who does. It will not only help bless their life, but will also help change your heart in the way you see them. 

 

Don’t write people off. Judgements are easy to make, connections are harder. Only one of those is rewarding. 

 

Throw ALL your expectations out the window. This one is not just for training camp but for life. You will be surprised how much better life can be when you are forced to trust other people with it. Find people who you know have your back, and go do life together, with no expectations. Its hard to be disappointed if you don’t know what to expect. #plottwist

 

People need people. Even the guy down the street with the rickety old house is just looking for people to love him. I was absolutely floored with how much people in the same neighborhood told us they just wanted community and didn’t even realize it was already surrounding them, they just had to step out and ask. 

 

Complaining gets you no where and helps nobody. Be a problem solver, or let someone else throw in some suggestions. 

 

God LOVES to meet you right where you are. He is not as scary as you may think.

 

Letting your life be wrecked by God’s love is the greatest thing you can do for yourself. 

 

 

 

I walked in thinking I had it mostly together, and that my habits and behaviors were pretty solid, even though they may have needed a few tweaks. I walked in thinking I knew what it meant to be loved, and to love others. I walked in thinking I knew what Jesus looked like. I walked in thinking I was good at loving people. God completely wrecked all of these beliefs and showed me what it truly means to be His daughter. 

 

 

I walked in with baggage, and I walked out with freedom. 

 

 

 

 

 

Galatians 5:1 ‘It is for freedom, Christ has set us free..’