Cambree at Boot Camp!

So, basically, last September, Cambree announced that she wanted to spend the entire summer in India.  Even though she grew up in Zambia and we've traveled internationally a ton, this did give us some pause.  I remember telling her, "There is no missions organization that is going to let a 15 year old girl spend a summer in India."  Welp, I was wrong.  We soon found Teen Missions International which has been around since the 1970s.  They have bases and projects all over the world, and their biggest mission is in Zambia (go figure..).  Cambree heard about the India trip and started praying about it, and after tons of prayer (and tons of phone calls between Blu and the Teen Missions office...we seriously annoyed them a lot of times...), we knew this was God's plan for her summer.  

The only problem was...the trip required a 2 week Boot Camp for all team members in Merritt Island, Florida.  If you know Cambree, then you know Boot Camp doesn't sound like something she would go for.  She's more of a Sewing Camp, Crafting Camp, Guitar Playing Camp, Sleep Late Camp, than a Boot Camp.  There were parts of it we knew she'd have NO trouble with (hand washing clothes, bucket baths) due to her Zambian childhood.  But there were other parts...(no electronics, running an obstacle course,  sleeping on the ground) that we wondered how she would handle.  

Well, SHE DID IT!  She survived and persevered through the Florida humidity, mosquitoes, room temperature water, tent sleeping, and she bonded with her team of 20 and is ready to leave for India TOMORROW!  

Here is a glimpse of her Boot Camp adventures, in random order! (taken mainly from the live stream worship service each night!)

The teens have to wear boots ALL summer long.  They were allowed to take boots and water shoes - that's it.  So far, 2 weeks in, she has only gotten one blister!  She said that Gold Bond is a lifesaver,  because everything stays wet in Florida!

Most kids fly on their own to Orlando, but Blu felt better about flying with her and dropping her off himself at Teen Missions.  She loaded her tote up in the wheelbarrow and that was it!

Ready for Boot Camp!

Us the day after she left...

This picture Blu sent me of her walking off into the camp was tough.. :(

Can she even work a wheelbarrow?!

On the shuttle bus that morning...she said she got ZERO sleep the night before!

On the plane ready to go!

My last day with her :)

Last hugs from Camille :(

The day before she left - goodbyes to Joey

They are so sweet - this will be a good summer for them to grow in their relationship and in their individual relationships with God.

The packing list was VERY extensive... so far, she told me she regrets not bringing drink mixes, her guitar, and a swimsuit coverup!

Our first glimpse of her on Day 1 in the worship video!

Getting to know her team!

We love her funny faces during worship!

Go India!

The India team

Another worship shot!

Her first postcard to us was half in English and half in Tonga!

Obstacle Course work!

It was hard on the nights that she looked sad... :(

Or tired ;)

India team - two of them are not on the team anymore.  One boy's visa was not approved, and one girl tested positive for Covid. :(

India team on the Obstacle Course

Cambree & her friend Alivia worshipping

Getting to see her worship was the BEST part for sure!!