UP CLOSE & PERSONAL Knowing God and Making Him Known

March 11, 2010 • written by Alexandra Gomez  
Filed under Spirituality, Student Life, featured

Life is a long lesson in humility, unity, grace, and leadership. This we learned as an eighth grade class on our first missions trip to the Bahamas last month. These simple four words, often used to describe the qualities required in a missionary, were the basic pillars of a series of exercises and activities that would demonstrate our flaws, our need for Jesus, and our desire to be His, and to know Him—up close and personal.

Even before our quest started—for some on the week of February 16, for others like myself, the week of February 22—we began to experience a closeness to the Lord unlike any other and a need to call on Him, asking for guidance and for an answer only He could provide.

When I first started hearing about this mission trip, I didn’t really know what to expect. Students from last year’s eighth grade class would come into our Bible class to explain things we would see and most likely feel. I listened, but didn’t really understand exactly what they meant… until now. See, sometimes when you’re away from your family and friends, and separated from the things that oftentimes distract you, well… that’s when you hear the Lord the loudest. And that’s what happened to us.

Journey with us so that you too can see and feel what God revealed to us during our missions trip to the Bahamas. For it was there that we met God up close and personal, and made Him known to the world. Come close and listen to our story…

Day One – Arrived in the Bahamas – Nassau Airport – 9:30am A 30-minute bus ride to the Adventure Learning Camp, and we find ourselves at the most picturesque camp. After unpacking our bags and eating some lunch, our group is divided into two: some of us go to the All Saints Camp while others stay behind to do some manual labor. We ask ourselves: “Why are we here?” “What do we expect to find…change in our hearts?” “Are we up for the challenge?”

Lesson learned… (Adventure Learning Center) Being obedient is part of doing God’s will, and Teamwork, Patience, and Unity are key when digging up a gigantic tree, especially when it’s the wrong tree!

“Working showed me how to work together—teamwork—it brought unity; it made us talk to people that you would never talk to. You find God in menial tasks.” – Juliette Lauk

“You can worship God anywhere, even in the field by the way you work.”—Coach Sean Dougherty

Lesson learned… (All Saints Camp) God is everywhere. God is joy. God is light. God is hope. God is compassionate. God is abundant love. He is… my Lord and Savior, my Protector, Creator, Alpha and Omega, the Healer, the Messiah. The definition gets close to home because of how He’s helped me.

Lasting thought… “In your quest this week, and in the rest of your lives, let God use you to do some incredible things. Remember:  S.A.G.— “See the need. Assess the need. Go to the need.” – Coach Sean Dougherty

Day Two – All Saints Camp/Work on the Field – 9am After breakfast, Coach Sean’s devotion opens our eyes to the call God has in our lives. He reads from 1 Samuel, showing us how Samuel listened and obeyed God’s commands. “If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? And how is God going to re-affirm this?” Coach Sean wondered how many of us were serving the Lord, and how many of us had heard from Him. He reminds us that this is a missions trip, not a camp experience.

Lesson learned… Live your life for God. Being obedient is part of doing God’s will.

“God showed me how much we need Him. You go there (All Saints Camp) thinking or hoping to bless others and you get blessed; you leave there being impacted by their  (residents) lives.” – Camila Yalale

Lasting thought… Pastor Topher reminds us to seek God, to get to know Him; because you can’t introduce people to someone you don’t know. “And how do you show it that you know Him?” Pastor Topher asks. “By the way you live, by the way you love.”

“These students have the potential to impact CCA the way the impacted the Bahamas if they stay focused and unified.” – Youth Pastor, Topher Harrison

Day Three – Building Up Season – 10am  After last night’s interesting dinner (sorry, can’t share this story or future trips will miss on the surprise), we wake up having a different perspective on God’s economy and how incredibly blessed we are to live in America, and to be part of our families, especially CCA. After our morning’s devotion, led by Coach Sean, we are reminded that God gives us tools and there’s a task for everyone. Heavily in thought, we go outside and play four games, each designed to teach us about unity, grace, humility, and God’s leadership.

Lessons learned… God gives us tools (His Word, talents, family, CCA teachers and staff, pastors, friends, mentors…) to succeed. This is a built up season—a crash course to be built up—growing in our knowledge so that we’re equipped with the right tools, preparing us for the battle (Good vs. Evil) in which we’re in. So, be strong and courageous. God will be with us.

Lasting thought… “Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.” –Oswald Chambers, Christian author who converted to Christianity in his early teens.

Day Four – Atlantis – 10am  It’s raining again. Our hopes to go to the beach to do ministry there are washed up! Instead, we take a bus trip to the other side of the island. The change is drastic as we leave the poor areas behind and enter what most of the world gets to see: the wonders of the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island. Colorful and beautiful, it is everything the title suggests, and yet, we’re not mesmerized by its wonder. The site of the casino leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Are these people for real? Do they know Christ? What is it that that’s missing in their lives? And worst of all… do they really think they can find it here? With one golden statue, with one expensive adornment we could feed an entire village. The question is: can we change the world?

Lesson learned… A pattern of change should be evident so that God’s grace will increase.

Lasting thought… “Potential is God’s gift to you,” says Coach Sean. “What you do with it is your gift to God.” –Coach Sean

Day Four – Elementary School/Orphanage – 1pm  Nothing could have prepared us for this day, but our hearts are ready to love on these kids. Mr. Ellis begins by introducing Rebecca and Drew, our worship leaders. After worship, a few us do a funny skit that sends a cool message: know who you are. Be real. Anthony surprises us all by giving his testimony. He never met his dad but now, he’s not moved. His Heavenly Father is there for him. Anthony’s words touch many hearts, especially one young girl’s who confesses, “My mom left…” After many tears, hugs, and comforting words, she accepts Jesus as her Lord and Savior. We’re rocked!

Out of a pouch I knitted, I take out a handful of Bible verses and pass them out to my new little friends. I tell them about Jesus and about how much He loves each and every one of them. We all leave with stories… so many, hard to count. It’s hard to say goodbye. The kids want to know if we will come back tomorrow to play with them. We smile. There are no words to say.

“The Bahamas trip was truly a life changing experience. The day that impacted me the most had to be Day 4 when we went to the school. I had prayed the whole week before that God would use me in a huge and mighty way and I guess He really did. I got to share my testimony but what I didn’t realize until after my classmates told me, was how much it impacted others. People came up and told me how kids they talked to could relate to my story and how they led kids to Christ through my testimony. I give all the glory to God and just thank Him for using me.” – Anthony Ashbridge

Later that afternoon, we visit an orphanage. After cleaning the place, inside and out, Cassandra gives her testimony. This time, it is us who can relate to it. We thought our faith was real until God touched our hearts and told us, KNOW ME FIRST!

“Words cannot describe how amazing this trip was. It was simply incredible. God changed my life and the students around me. Watching God work in the hearts of our team and the Bahamians was truly an awesome feeling and something I will never forget.” Cassy Cammarano.

Lessons learned… ‘Tis the season to be honest. Be available without excuse. It’s not what I can do; it’s what He can do!

Day Four – Bon Fire – 7:30pm  Almost every night this week we’ve been able to have a bonfire, except for those nights that rained. Tonight is perfect. Cool, but not freezing; quiet but not so much we can’t hear the tears that are shed as we each throw our pine cones into the fire. Releasing my sins into the flames is personal and yet, I feel the warmth of my friends all around me. I am not judged. Who is against me when God is beside me?

“A group of heathens go out and chug a few beers and then say, ‘now we start living!’ A group of Christians throw pine cones into a bonfire and then say, ‘Now we start living!’” – Christian Coy

Lasting thought… “What are you doing with your heart…who has it?” –Pastor Topher

Day Five – Nassau, Bahamas Airport – 1pm  Well, we thought we were leaving at 2:30pm but God had a different plan! Our flight has been delayed and we are now departing at 7pm. Cool. After some American comfort food (Dunkin’ Donuts), we sit around talking, (sleeping for some) and playing games. Then, Christian Wechter says, “Today is Friday and we would have Chapel back at school. So, let’s have Chapel here!” In the middle of the terminal, we have Chapel, worshipping the Lord with a boldness we didn’t know we had.

Bystanders are watching us, but are they listening too? As we end our mini Chapel, we hear a round of applause from those looking on. We smile. The Word was heard. Nothing is impossible for God. He had a purpose for today and it was fulfilled. How cool is that?

On the way to get on the plane, as my mom shows her ticket, the airport attendant says to her: “I would love to clone your kids. They’re the best group of kids I’ve ever seen!” God is changing us.

“How do we worship God? It’s how we act. Let’s be the generation to change the world. That sounds like a big thing, I know. But, here we are… changing it. When you go home, don’t forget this day. Continue the change there.” – Christian Wechter, as he lead Chapel at Nassau Airport, February 26, 2010.

Lessons learned… Be students of the Word. Love God with all your heart. Love one another. You can’t love God without loving other people. Be there for each other. Stay united and you will succeed.

“God has showed me this week that He allows suffering so that others can do something to help those who are suffering; and learn how to be compassionate, loving and sacrificial.” – Jesse Cervone

Lasting thought… “I hope you have opened up your heart to God and let Him reveal Himself to you. Take the tools and experiences that you’ve been given and do something to impact the world around you back home.” – Coach Sean