So before I start this blog I want to acknowledge that this blog may not appeal to many people that have not attended Wheaton College but this month I have thinking a lot about Wheaton and how it has prepared me for so many aspects of my life beyond the intellectual part of my life. But this is about more than Wheaton, this is about how the Lord used this school to prepare me for this crazy journey called the World Race. I hope that though you may have never attended Wheaton College that you continue to read this blog and are blessed by what I have learned and challenged my Spirit!
When I first attend Wheaton College, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought I was going to a Christian college where I was going to learn some new things and grow in my relationship with Christ. But through my last four years I learned so much than history or english. I learned what discipline really was, I learned how to ask people for help , how to be a leader, what a personal relationship with Jesus really is and most importantly what Christian community is and how important it is for any Christian striving to know more about Jesus. Wheaton emphasizes community throughout its programs whether it is residence life, athletics, classes or the overall community of the college. At Wheaton, I learned what community looked like, how a body of believers can challenge one another and how I thrive and grow the most in community. The two most defining aspect of my college career that emphasized community was the Wheaton Waterpolo team and working in the Office of Christian Outreach.
Entering Wheaton, I had no idea that I would play waterpolo but after the first two weeks I was not only on the team but I was also starting in every game and leading our teams offense. I had never started or played a full waterpolo game in high school and now all of a sudden this insecure, inexperienced freshman was called to play most of every game and lead our offense. That was a lot of ask and though it took time, as I look back on my waterpolo career, I see how I developed not only as a waterpolo player but as an athlete and leader. I had to learn how to properly take out my frustrations at myself or others out on my team mates in the middle of the game. I had to learn how to handle my emotions and not let them over take me. I had to learn how to trust my teammates, work hard in all things and strive for greatness! Finally, I had to learn what it meant to be a leader in and outside of the water.
My senior year I was elected team captain along with two of my close friends and we had the daunting task of transitioning our team from a varsity sport to a club sport. My leadership was put to the test as I dealt with the politics of the athletic department, tried to recruit new players, figure out the finance aspect of a club team and lead a team to develop a disciplined environment and create community. Though this was challenging and overwhelming, I was ready to fight for it! I was ready to fight for the community that had blessed me so much the last three years! This desire to fight is a trait that I have held on to and brought the race with me. Fighting for community is something that is not easy or fun. You have to have the talks you don’t want to have, you don’t always get to spend time the way you want to, you have to make sacrifices and changes and though sometimes you are uncomfortable, I found fighting for community is soooo worth it! My journey on the waterpolo team showed me the importance to fight for what you want and invest in the people you have around you because it will benefit you in so many ways! Through the Wheaton Waterpolo team, I met so of many closest friends and was surrounded by a community that pushed me to work harder, do better, laugh at all times and how to lead others with love and understanding.
In the Office of Christian Outreach (OCO), we focused on a three tiered structure, solidarity, community, ministry. This strategy explained how spending time with God alone, allows us to bring new things we have learned into our community to build one another up, love on them and pour out the love of Jesus to one another. We pour out and learn from others so that our ministry we constantly seek out the Lords will to ensure a successful and fruitful ministry! The OCO emphasized the importance of focusing on your personal relationship with Jesus and using what we learn, how Jesus has filled us up to pour out into our ministry and eventually the community. This three tiered model has played out on the World Race in so many different aspects. While in Cambodia, the Lord has impressed on my heart the importance of spending alone time, focusing on prayer and digging deeper and deeper into the bible. This personal time has become just as benefical for me as well as my ministry. I am learning how to resting the Lord and use his strength to get through each day, choosing joy every time I enter the classroom, passionately loving on my team and the children I see everyday and pouring out the love and joy of Jesus Christ to everyone I meet. Its crazy to see how the things I learned from the OCO has affected the way I do ministry and community so deeply. Though I am in a very different situation on the race, solidarity, community and ministry is the same no matter if I am in Wheaton Illinois or Kampot, Cambodia.
Wheaton College, thank you for all your taught me! Thank you for how your pushed me, challenged me and modeled to me to be the person I am today. You were such a blessing these last four years!
