Picture this: it’s 3:32 in the morning, you wake up and realize your feet are in a puddle of water. That’s right, your tent is leaking, your hair never dried from your shower, and there’s a cricket on your pillow. Welcome to training camp! The sweet city of Gainesville, Georgia has been our home for the two weeks as we’ve begun our training for the World Race. A typical day at training camp looks like breakfast at 8am, worship, bible study, team building, lunch, practical training (evangelism, safety, insurance, culture) personal time, more team building, supper, and off to our sleeping bags. Built into the schedule includes time to bucket shower or hand wash our laundry, every three days or so. We all realized pretty quickly how difficult it is to produce clean laundry with incessant rain. Needless to say, my squad, all of our clothes, and everything we own smells. Did I mention we’re using portapotties? No flushing ladies and gents. Woohoo.
Now let’s get to the redeeming factors, which so greatly overcome the difficulties. My squad is a group of 20 women and 7 men. We are mature, eager to grow, loving, and committed to each other and to the Lord. None of us had met before we arrived in Gainesville, but in the last 2 weeks, we have grown together so quickly and we know things about each other that most people have never shared with lifelong friends or family members. We figured out pretty quickly who snores (Kevin), who sleeps in until the last minute (Elijah), and who is the best at braiding hair (Morgan). My sanctification is so beautifully spurred on by these 27 people. In the last two weeks, I have began to put spiritual disciplines in place in my day to day life that I aim to continue for the rest of my life. I am learning so much about living a life of ministry, 24/7, that no matter where we are or what we’re doing, ministry should be a habit of every Christian’s life. The same goes for prayer. How can we expect to deepen our relationships with Jesus if we don’t stay in communication with Him? We are definitely a praying squad. We consistently pour out our hearts to each other, speak life over each other, and lay hands on each other. A few nights ago, we took turns one by one with our squad mentor Lindsey, signing the World Race contract and taking communion to lay a foundation of devotion to the World Race and to the ultimate race Christ has laid before us.
We got the amazing privilege of sleeping on the concrete floor of the pavilion last night and wow, am I thankful! We’re trying to pack our things a little bit better than we did the first time, make a last minute laundry run, and enjoy the time as a whole squad before we split into teams and fly to Guatemala! More to come on my blog about my team of 5, our ministry in Guatemala, where we’ll be living, and so much more! I am so thankful for those of you following along with me. Please pray for our travel day to Guatemala, for safety, for health, and that we will press in to every opportunity the Lord has for us to know Him and to make Him known. He is so good!!!! If you are interested in supporting other racers on my squad or team who are still fundraising, or you’d just like to pray more specifically please reach out to me!
Your sister in Christ,
Caroline
P squad at squad wars, where we took second place out of 5 squads!
Please know I am praying for you and your team as you journey through this new experience and share the word of our Heavenly Father. Blessing to all of you!
Donna
Praying for you and your team as each of you take this journey to show Gods love.
Dear Caroline ~ your blog has made my heart full and my eyes “sweat”!! Prayers for you and your team as you seek HIS will in each of your lives. I pray for traveling mercies and for each of you as you join God in what He is doing in Guatemala.
Goodness, I love reading these updates. I love you, I’m praying for you, and I am SO proud of you.
YEEHAW!!! I had such a fun time reading about training camp from your perspective. You’re gifted in so so many ways and we’re honored that your on THIS squad.
Love ya!!
AWM
So very excited for you, Caroline! God is going to do great things in and through you!! Prayers continue!!??
Thank you for sharing. Thank you for what you are doing to spread the word. Continued prayers.
LOVE hearing your updates and how the Lord is sustaining you all! Praying for the next steps on this journey!
Praying for you and your teammates! What a leap of faith and dedication to God’s calling!!
Caroline…I’ve read this update so many times this afternoon. You’ll never know how excited I get to see an update on your blog. You have survived Training Camp!! Woohoo!! And now on to the field. I am praying specifically for your team as you learn to use one another’s strengths & help each other through the challenges of each day. This is what you have waited for & prayed for & prepared for. Go sweet girl!!!
C! You are so loved and covered in prayer!! I’m so proud of you and absolutely love following along with these blog posts
Caroline, you are on my prayer list and now thst I know more. I will add your team and pray specifically for your Guatemala mission. You are protected by our Holy Father!
So enjoy reading of your adventures. Prayers for you and your group throughout your trip!
LOVED reading your blog…you are certainly getting prepared for the adventures ahead!!
I know you are beyond excited and ready to move forward with His plans. I am praying for all of you…God has already gone before you, and
“ will supply every NEED of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Love you, sweet girl. Now go and enjoy what God has prepared!!!??
You have been in my prayers and will continue to be in your transition. God is using you in such a mighty way!
So excited to see what God is doing in and through you and your team. Praying for you daily!
Great recap Caroline!
“ now for the redeeming factors… “That is so good. Your examples of various teammates especially.
Love your heart sister. Praying for a deep integration of your team there in Guatemala as you begin rolling up your sleeves, loving and serving so well within the body of Christ there and especially amongst the lost people HE puts in your path.
Enjoy the journey, as first and foremost you enjoy your father!
The cricket on the pillow really had me loling. You weathered it all so well and kept a smile! I know it isn’t easy but LOOK, you made it to Guatemala!
I loved reading about your perspective and how all the growth you experienced helped to cover any of the hard icky parts of camp.
You’re awesome and I’m so happy you are on our squad!
Caroline, I just love who you are. So thankful to the Lord that we get to do life with each other this year… because ministry is LIFE 🙂
“My sanctification is so beautifully spurred on by these 27 people.”
That is a good way to see community 24/7! The Lord is sanctifying us every minute
This will be a year of refinement. Iron sharpening iron.
Excited to see the woman of God you will become!! It will be stretching but so so good!
He is for sure a redeeming God! Thank you for not only saying yes to the Lord, but being vulnerable and sharing what He is doing with others! You rock!
Never forget the portapotties haha. Super thankful for our bathroom and bedroom with a roof protecting us from the rain!
It is clear God is preparing you to do His work! Praying for you and your team as you go to Guatemala, and that Gods will equip you as you seek to do His work.
Caroline, I loved reading your blog. I am so proud of you & am keeping you in my prayers. ?? Stay strong!!!