Training Camp, oh Training Camp… Where do I begin?
In the span of two weeks, my squad and I learned, grew, worshiped, and bonded in ways that stretched us both spiritually and physically. I expected growth, but truthfully I didn’t completely expect this. It was a shocking, uncomfortable, and yet deeply transformative time, and I honestly wouldn’t trade it for anything.
A World Away from Comfort
At first, Training Camp was nothing short of a shock to my system. As soon as we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves in a big carpeted room with sleeping areas squared off by masking tape, and the only luxury being a wonderful wall divider, and a spot close to an outlet! We could only shower every OTHER day, and the outside temperature was less than ideal—typically under 30°F at that point in Georgia. We ate almost all of our meals outside, bundled up, and braved the cold as a team! Our restrooms? Only porta-potties. 😱 They became my new best friend! Also, the only water we could drink was straight from the outside hose! Aaaand, our phones were graciously taken away from breakfast to dinner—goodbye, distractions! <3
Going from my bed at home- decked with a 3in memory foam mattress topper and 6 pillows- to a $25 inflatable sleeping mat I found on Amazon was so incredibly humbling. And apparently… I snore like I’m sawing logs. No matter how hard I tried to combat it with nose strips or even taping my mouth shut (special breathable mouth tape from Walmart <3), it lingered. At one point, I even tried sleeping sitting up, which I’m sure startled a few people when they saw me upright with a tape-covered mouth and an eye mask on! 😂
Absolutely it was definitely more uncomfortable than I was used to or expecting. However, I knew God was using this time to stretch me. I was stepping out of my comfort zone, and as hard as it was, I was growing in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. Sometimes God calls us to places of discomfort to build our trust and reliance on Him. Are we going to follow Him in obedience?
Meet My Squad: X-Squad!
I’m proud to be a part of the X-Squad, a small but mighty team of six! There’s myself, Max, Hannah, Eli, Lexie, and Jaykub—our fearless leader, Abigail, leads us on the field, and we are supported by our mentors Eliza and Connor and coaches Keith and Karen.
During our second week at training camp, our leaders selected us for different team roles.
I was selected to step into the position of Team Leader! The Lord has already been encouraging me in so many ways, and I am learning a new style of leadership… leading in unknown and uncomfortable territory.
X-Squad may be the smallest squad to launch, but let me tell you—we are ready to take on the world! Our route will take us through Honduras and Nicaragua, and I believe the Lord is going to use us in very special ways in these countries! (SPOILER: We are 2 weeks into Honduras, and WOW!!! Stay tuned to hear more about our ministry here!)
Daily Life at Training Camp
Our days started early, at 7AM, to the energetic sounds of a Cambodian rap song followed by worship songs that set the tone for the day. Though the start was jarring, there was something oddly energizing about jumping into the day with music and praise. We then gathered for meals outside in the freezing cold, where our squad’s table was perfectly placed right between two heaters… leaving us with no warm comfort.
Each day brought a mix of worship, teaching sessions, and “activations” (practical spiritual applications of what we were learning). The teachings were powerful and dynamic, delivered by speakers who you could tell were deeply in love with Christ. Topics ranged from forgiveness to hearing God’s voice to receiving nurturing love (“storge” love). During these times, the Lord asked me to be still, be observant, and rest in His presence. It was amazing seeing the tangible presence of God work through so many people’s lives in each session!
Team Time & Growth
One of THE best spots at camp was our Squad Meeting Point (SMP)—our designated squad spot where we would gather to debrief, pray, and spend quality time together. Team Builders activities were especially fun and challenging, forcing us to work together as a unit in mind puzzles and games. These moments helped us learn to communicate better, support one another, and identify areas where we could improve as a team. 
While there were moments of personal time sprinkled throughout the schedule, it often felt like we were always together, even during downtime! And even though our days were packed from 7AM to 10PM, the sheer joy of being with my squad and learning more about them and their quirky personalities made every moment worth it.
Special Moments to Remember
Cultural Day: We were given the opportunity to experience the culture of the countries we’re headed to by engaging in meals and activities that reflected their traditions. The culinary part was eye-opening—I discovered I really like cheese and jam sandwiches (a dish from Africa). But dinner that night was a different story. We had Chicken Curry with an unexpected twist: larvae and a century egg! Let’s just say, after tasting century egg, I’m not in a hurry to try it again. Ever. And trust me, you do not want to know what a burp tastes like after eating one.
Revival Nights: Every Thursday, we gathered for extended worship sessions known as Revival Nights. These nights were dedicated to simply experiencing the presence of God. The final Revival Night was especially emotional, with four members of my squad—Eli, Jaykub, Lexie, and Hannah—being baptized. The power of witnessing their public declarations of faith was overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.
Squad Wars: If you’ve ever been to an elementary school field day, then you can imagine Squad Wars—but with Jesus at the center. We participated in various relays and games, culminating in a performance of an original song and dance. Our squad, being the smallest, had no backup players. We had to play in every single game. And guess what? We WON Squad Wars! Our original song, a parody of “The Backyardigans” theme, “Party in the U.S.A.,” and “The Schuyler Sisters” from Hamilton, was titled “Departing from the U.S.A.” and it was a smash hit.
Commitment Signing: Before we left for the field, we had a sacred moment where we signed a document committing ourselves to the mission God has called us to. It was a deeply intimate time, marked by worship, communion, and prayer. Our leaders washed our feet, a powerful symbol of humility and service that we carry with us as we go.
Scenarios: To help us prepare for the reality of missions, we participated in dramatic scenarios that put us in the shoes of people in the countries we’ll serve. One memorable scenario involved navigating through hectic airports and markets. It taught us how to engage with people when our minds were focused on logistics. And note to self—don’t ever pass drugs over to a beggar who accidentally stashes them in your backpack!
Final Thoughts
Training Camp was far from easy, but it was exactly what I needed. It was a time of discomfort, but also of growth. I am more committed than ever to trusting the Lord, stepping out in obedience, and following Him wherever He leads. I am so excited to be part of this mission with my squad, knowing that God will use us to bring His love to the nations. Please continue praying for us as WE ARE CURRENTLY IN HONDURAS, and HEADED TO NICARAGUA IN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH!!!
SEE YOU SOOOOON!!!
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