The countdown began for leaving for training camp. It seemed so far away and then all of a sudden it was the month of October. I couldn’t believe that the time had come to start this journey. Nervous? Yes! Excited? For sure! The one feeling that I thought for sure I would be feeling was anxiousness. New people, new place, new environment, sleeping in a tent, I should feel anxious right? Well let me tell you about the good Lord. Not a bit of anxiety ran through me, the only thing running through my body was peace. An overwhleming amount of peace. Driving up to Gainesville was no where near as bad as I thought either, long for sure but again an overflow of peace! Praise the Lord!
I arrive at training camp Thursday October 17th and I feel at home. I was greated by smiling faces and so much encouragement. I get my stuff out, walk up to the building and am cheered on by so many. Hugs, smiles, welcomes, etc were all waiting for me and all the other racers as we arrived. What a greeting! Continue on to the campsite and set up my tent, thankfully I practiced a couple times before because otherwise I would have had no idea what I was doing. Ha! There were people there to help thank goodness. As I was setting up I got introduced to my teammates, and might I say they are some of the best people I have ever met. We have dinner and then have an awesome night of worship (side note, worship was the most freeing experience).
First night in the tent was not too bad, I admittely said a prayer for no bugs, frogs, or any other creepy crawlers to get into my tent. We were greeted by daddy long legs quite often so praise the Lord there wasn’t one inside my tent. It was definitley freezing and waking up in the morning was not fun, I was pretty much frozen in place because who wants to move around when you’re cold? However once I started moving it wasn’t too bad. We had breakfast at 8:15 and this girl is not a morning person by any means so getting up for breakfast, I was always the last one at the camp site. But usually someone else was there and walked with me to the dining patio. Our first day was Asia day (each day we had a different culture day of food and cultural norms) and we had to eat with chopsticks. Um, I have never used chopsticks before, thinking in my head how am I supposed to eat, but also thinking, challenge accepted I will figure it out; but also thankful that Asia is not on my route. Ha! Full day of Asia food, sessions, squad time, and morning and evening worship made for a full day. In these two worship sessions the Lord was doing a work in my heart and this flesh and spirit battle was strong inside of me, my flesh said control your emotions, but the spirit says let God fill you. So during this evening session we are told to look around the room and if anyone is feeling led to pray or say something to someone else then we could take the opportunity to do so. I sat there for a little bit and my advisor came up to me and said the Lord was telling him to tell me that I was free; free to worship, chains are broken, free in the Lord. I think to myself what does this mean? I thought I was free? But man did the Lord have a work for my heart in these next couple of days.
I will end here and next week tune in to hear about being set free, our first scenerio, and the next cultural day.
Thank you for reading!
Pray for my squad! B Squad! Camping spot picture below!
Erica, it was so great getting to meet you for the first time at training camp. Thanks for letting me pretend to help set up your tent with you. I’m glad you knew what your were doing, cuz I didn’t. I just wanted to hang out with you. You are such a delight and I love how peace was a gift given to you. Our Lord is faithful! Much love, Dawnette