Three years ago yesterday, I was getting on a plane with a few people I met at the Milwaukee airport that day, heading to Estes Park, Colorado for training for a summer job. Three years later, I have completed 3 summers working with Group Mission Trips, numerous volunteer events, met a lot of incredible and inspiring people, and been a part of an amazing ministry and organization. My theme this year has been about appreciating and being thankful for every thing, little or small, and its the huge amount of little things that I have been introduced to because of Group Mission Trips that makes it a huge, life-changing thing. There are three major ways Group has change me:
First, the ministry. I had opportunities to watch youth and young people grow, learn what serving means, as I was called to do just that every day, even when it was hard, and I didn't want to do it. I learned so much more about what it means to be a part of a ministry, and how the little things such as being goofy holding up a huge yellow sign that says "welcome" can make an impact.
Second, the people. The full-time staff, my crews, the youth leaders, service project contacts, and even inspiring youth are just a few of the people I've interacted with. There are great summer staff that Group hires each year who have been incredible to hear their stories, and connect with them. Some of them I still keep in contact with, and I look forward to the times I get to skype with them, catch up, or even hang out at a Group Conference or event. Behind these summer staffers is an incredible team of full-time staff who encourage and believe in the young people who run the camps. We couldn't do what we do without the vision and hard work from the full-time staff, who care endlessly to see youth encounter Jesus.
My crews. My word, I can't say enough about the great people I have had the opportunity to work alongside for three summers. With Taylor in Cincy, Erika in Charleston, and Leah and Laura in Nashville, these women have really impacted me and have made me learn so much more about not only myself, but how to love God and love people better.
People from the projects. I have met some incredible people who work and serve people every day, and are truly inspiring. People who work with youth, refugees, people without homes, those with Alzheimer's. Week after week, we would work alongside incredible people who have stories to tell of inspiration and the front-range work of caring and loving people. It is people like this who remind me of my humanness and how futile and selfish I can be.
Thirdly, the opportunities. Where else would I have the opportunity to stand in front of 600 people, and speak to them how God repairs and renews? Where else would I find an amazing church to intern with and learn about worship ministry so I can finish my degree program? Where else have I had the opportunity to travel the country, and get paid to do it? Where else would I go out of my way to make it to Columbus after having money stolen, and not having a debit card, just so I can volunteer at a youth-ministry conference where God had plans of transforming me in an unexpected way? The stories are endless, and the impact is life-long. I celebrate and rejoice for the time I have had, and the time that is coming. God has used Group to meet people, find opportunities, and move in my heart in ways that will be lasting for the rest of my life. It's not over, and it simply is just begun.
My charge to you? What little things or big things do you have in your life that you could consider to be life changing? How have these things been put there, and what impact have they left in your life? Sometimes it becomes easy to get caught up in the day to day, and forget God's promises that are life-long. It may take some digging, but they are there. Practicing thankfulness and opening ourselves up to all that God can do, opens us up to greater fulfillment and joy of life.
If you want to read more about this, check out Ann Voskamp's One-Thousand Gifts, and find what are your moments of grace to be thankful for. One of mine is:
20. Meeting people and finding opportunities through Group
Looking forward to a more full and fulfilling life.
http://onethousandgifts.com/
http://groupmissiontrips.com/
