God taught me a lot about expectations this week.
I had the privilege to help lead our youth mission trip to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
We left bright and early Monday morning to arrive at camp by dinner and our first evening worship set.
I believe God was working on our hearts as leaders before the trip even started and i’ll tell you what I mean – Camp was sold out this year, which meant that as more registrations came in for our group we had to find other places to put people. So as leaders, my brother, Michaela, and I stayed off sight at a local motel. Because of this reality we also had to get a rental car. At first thought you might think these things were a hassle for our trip. But the rental car came in handy shuttling our kids around campus when the weather didn’t cooperate with our plans.
We stayed with Student Life Camp this week, and our focus was on missions. Student life explains mission camp as this “Groups get outside their comfort zones by pouring into the local community each day in service projects. We facilitate mission sites and provide the necessary supplies” Every camp (student life has 3- rec, beach, and missions) strives to keep God’s Word center stage through daily worship, Life Group Bible studies and church group time.
For our mission project this week we were paired up with HaHa Tonka State Park. Located right on the Lake of the Ozarks. The property was a beautiful place to spend our time working. Tuesday we arrived after lunch eager to start working. We met with our site coordinator and after a brief explanation of the work he wanted us to help with we got to work. There was a beautiful trail that went through the park that needed a little love. There was a line of box steps that needed to be refilled with gravel and rocks. It was a tedious and repetitive project but our students lined up to start a bucket brigade to make the work go smoothly. It was a hot day in Missouri right about 86 degrees so needless to say we were all sweating but we made the most of our time together and pushed through the work. The park ranger said that normally the work we did, the staff (of about 3-5 people depending on the season) would have to do. Needless to say, they were very appreciative of our work that day. After about 3 hours of work we headed back to camp, excited to return the next day.
We stayed at Windermere retreat center. It was a wide campus with lots of dorm style buildings, a decent sized conference center where we had morning/evening worship and the dining hall. Here’s where I talk about expectations. No one goes into camp expecting a 5-course meal. But the food at Windermere was, well, less than appetizing. I felt bad for our kids who were working their butts off. So the leaders made an executive decision to bring some offsite food in the remainder of the days. Lucky for us we were next to Casey’s gas station (pretty decent pizza!!) and a local donut place. Usually getting food off-site wouldn’t be an option because we wouldn’t have a vehicle but with our rental car, we were able to make this work!
Our 2nd full day in Missouri was almost completely rained out. Since our work project was outside we had to make a change of plans. So we loaded up on the bus and headed to the nearest movie theater. Not really what we had in mind but a small and impactful service opportunity came out of it. As you can imagine the movies were busy that day with the rain. It was a sold out show of Hotel Transylvania 3. As the film came to an end and people started filling out, our fearless Leader Melinda called out “everyone grab some garbage before you leave the theater!!” Without complaint, our students began scouring the rows to pick up garbage, and before you knew it, the room was almost clean. The employee who was assigned to clean that room was very appreciative and sent us off with many thanks and well wishes! It was a neat opportunity to remind our students that service and mission can happen practically too, in a sharing each other’s burdens kind of way.
Our 3rd and last full day got rained out too, but the rain came as we were hiking through HaHa Tonka State Park. Believe it or not, getting caught in the storm was a highlight of many students day. They chose to choose joy in that circumstance, and as leaders, we were so thankful. Because of the rain that day we had an extended time of free time. Some students explored Wildermere grounds, but the majority, including myself, caught up on our sleep.
This morning (Friday) we packed up after breakfast to head to Silver Dollar City. An amusement park in Branson, Missouri. For those of us who seek thrill rides, it was a great end to the week… Until it started raining again. At this point in the week, most of us are sleep deprived, a little home sick and ready to tackle the 10-hour ride home (where I am currently typing this blog.)
So you might be wondering how all this gibberish falls into any relation to the World Race. Well, I want to close with this –
I believe God’s plan our so much higher than our plans. His ways, higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
When the food is different from our expectations, He whispers, remember the daily bread you get from me is more than enough.
When our plans get canceled for the day, He still has limitless power to give us opportunities to serve. Even in a movie theater.
So during the 11 months, I am gone, I am sure I will come back having different experiences than my current expectations. Whether it’s food, opportunities of rest or adventure, or even having plans change due to weather. I will be confident in this – He who began a good work in us, (whether it’s Missouri or Malaysia or anywhere in between) will bring it to completion, in the way he wants. Not my will Jesus, but yours alone.
Thanks for reading!!
