Niko

This was a five-day excursion in Talamanca before the beginning of outreach. I’m not supposed to talk about any specifics because it’s a tradition for all DTS students at the San Jose base, and the secrecy is a part of the experience. So in case anyone who is reading this is planning on, or even has the possibility of doing a Niko Camp, I am going to write very briefly and discretely about my experience.

Niko was insanely difficult. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually difficult. It’s like a boot camp of sorts, characterized by a million rules, consequences, surprises and pushups. There were many challenges presented to us, and I didn’t know how to do anything. Nothing at all. All I could do is walk. So I did. A lot. Up mountains. Through the jungle. Across rivers.

It was very hot and humid, even at night. I was wet the entire time, either by sweat or by river water. We smelled horrible, because we didn’t shower and we weren’t allowed to bring deodorant. We didn’t eat or sleep very much. Our bodies were so sore from all the activities, and we literally passed out every night when it was finally time to sleep.

I saw a lot of beautiful things in the jungle, and learned a lot of really hard lessons. Specifically, I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that I am in fact capable of anything with God’s help.

I know this is so vague. Please ask me more about it in person.