I cannot tell you how much I've already grown after having been here for one week. When I first arrived at Camp Smoky, I was a little apprehensive. I knew absolutely no one, and had no idea what to expect. What I never expected was such a wonderful group of friends, such a solid leader, and such fun. This week alone, I've hiked to Clingman's Dome (highest point in the Smoky Mountains), swam in the river at the Greenbriar swimming hole, walked around/had fun on the Parkway 3 times, talked to multiple amazing people about Jesus, climbed a tower, swung on a swing 30 feet in the air, and learned more about myself and my teammates than I thought possible.
First, let's talk about our fearless leader, Bill Black. When I first met him, I thought, "Hey, this guy reminds me of my grandpa...seems sweet." Then he started talking. :) He is both terrifying and fantastic, (much like a certain Organic Chemistry professor I had a year ago...) and I am super excited by the fact that he is, in a way, forcing us to be accountable, grow up, and do our absolute best, with no excuses.
As far as I know, our responsibilities this summer are leading worship in campgrounds and resorts on Sunday mornings, leading day camps in the campgrounds for children, and ministering to international students that are here to work in the area this summer. Our first Sunday, my friend Matt and I were the only team members that led worship at two of the campgrounds, and it was absolutely awesome. We got to sing, I had to write and lead a prayer, and I'll even get to speak some over the course of the summer. It definitely doesn't hurt that we get to ride with him in his sweet convertible red Mustang to church every Sunday... :) I'm am so excited about the opportunity to speak at the services this summer, because that's not really an opportunity that I would have otherwise.
Day camps seem to be a bad word around here, but I'm sure they'll be alright. It's going to be extremely hot and humid outside, but we'll make it through. :)
Ministering to internationals is what I'm most excited about. The majority of the students that work here come from Russia, eastern Europe (Moldova, Bulgaria, etc.), Mongolia, and Thailand. It's so cool to just sit and talk to these guys, help them with their English, and minister to them by engaging in simple acts of kindness like helping with laundry or taking them to dinner. I'm hoping to become at least conversational in Russian this summer, and I'm going to attempt to learn how to play the guitar! :)
Living in a house with 16 other 18-25 year olds and two adults is definitely a different experience for me, and I'm surprised at how much I love it. Everyone is pretty considerate for the most part, our houseparents cook some ballin' meals (I mean, come on...they're old Baptist people, of course they cook well..), and my little room is cozy. I have a super sweet roommate (Shelby Newman) who is kind enough to wake me up when I sleep in (every day...) and who shares my deep abiding love of Jars of Clay. :D I can't tell you how much it just warms my heart to sit up almost every night til 2 AM and talk with my housemates about everything from Calvinism and theistic evolution to smoking hookah and Chuck Norris jokes.
Today, I got to spend some time with Jillian one on one, and it was pretty great. It's so fabulously comforting to know that I can be myself around these people. We had a day off, so we went to WalMart (ooooo...partay...) so I could get some hummus, stationary, and other fun things, then went shopping (I found a J. Crew dress for $20!!!). We all went to the Parkway to hangout and indulge in copious amounts of lemonade and beef jerky, and I introduced all the poor deprived Texan friends to SunDrop! Next week, we will begin planning our day camps and worship services, and chill out to rest up before our super intense summer really begins.
Now...on to the truly important matters of this trip...
I cannot express in words the ways that I can see the Lord changing my heart. First of all, on a superficial level, waking up and doing quiet times in the mountains, worshiping with strangers, and focusing almost exclusively on my walk with Christ, has been so very good for me. It is so wonderful to have this kind of rest and time to delve into the Word after all the stress of the MCAT.
It is amazing how alive and active God's word truly is. He has been so good to teach, guide, and mold me through His word, the teaching given to us by Bill, Joey, and my teammates, and He has filled my heart with both an insatiable hunger for His word, and with a love for those around me that I've never quite felt before. It's been very interesting to see how so many things that have occurred over the course of my life have been leading up to the things that are going to happen this summer, and how this summer is and will prepare me for medical school and the medical field. As I sit here, I am starting to fill out my med school application, and working on my personal statement. Scary! :)
More than anything, I want to love these people (my teammates, leaders, and those I minister to) in such a way that causes them to be confronted with and hungry for Christ. All that I ask is that He would use me as a conduit for His love and truth. For so long, sharing Jesus was all about arguing with people, thumping my Bible, and feeling self-righteous. God has been so good to show me that that is not ok, and to put people and circumstances in my path that caused me to evaluate my actions.
As far as things I would ask prayer for, I ask that you all would pray for unity amongst our team. We are all vastly different people, and as things get stressful, we are bound to get upset with one another. Pray that we would all "consider others better than ourselves", and strive to maintain peace.
Pray that we would do our work with excellence, with happy hearts, and smiling faces, regardless of how hot it is, how tired we are, etc.
Pray that I would be disciplined in all of my choices, most especially my diet, exercise, and quiet times.
Pray that Christ would work through us in a mighty way, and that we would not be content to sit idly by and let other do the work.
Pray that we would maintain respect for our leaders, that we would be an encouragement to them, and that we would build them and each other up.
Thanks to all of you who are praying! I love you guys and if you want to talk to me, text me and I'll find a way for us to Skype so I can see your lovely faces! :D
Grace and Peace,
Cari
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