If you have ever heard someone talk about a summer project, sometimes all you hear is the fairy tale version.
I was often skeptical of summer projects during the course of the last two years because of the lack of negative things I heard about them. Every person who ever spoke to me about their experience said: "it was the best summer of my life" "I made my best friends on project" "the Lord blessed me a ton." Honestly, it seemed that nothing bad could ever happen. I don't really remember hearing much in the way of conflict, challenges, trials, or failures.
Now, I'm not dogging on anyone who has ever told me about project. I get it. They wanted to encourage people to come, so naturally, they through out all the Pros. Nevertheless, in my mind, I had decided I wanted to come back and be open and honest about all the hard things about project. I didn't want to experience a fake paradise, but instead a real-life situation.
I am blogging now to let you know that I am living that conflict, challenge, trial, and failure-filled part of project.
These past couple of weeks have really been hard to put into words, so I'll try my best. To put it bluntly, I haven't really had any of those "rosey, confirming, heart-melting, euphoric" experiences we so often strive for in our walks in faith. Instead, I have been witness again and again to my own brokeness getting in the way of the Lord's Will and Plan. I have had to deal with conflict, which no matter how you handle, is almost always messy. I am currently battling a cold that is taking my ability to concentrate, breathe, talk, and have humor. Lastly, I have been frustrated with my inability to figure myself out psychologically (something I'm usually fairly good at).
So yeah. It definitely been a hard few weeks. BUT! I have been fairly content through it all. Why? Honestly, because I know that despite my brokeness, sickness, and ignorance, the Lord's perfection, healing, and wisdom does not change! He has been teaching me throughout, as my heart draws to Him.
Now don't get me wrong, things haven't been THAT bad. I've still got all 10 fingers, both my eyes, and what's left of my ACLs.
Actually, there have been some pretty cool stuff going on down here!
In the past week, I have building some pretty sweet relationships with the guys I work with. There are a ton of cool guys there. I'm hoping to be able to hang with them after work. Also, yesterday we all went and helped serve in a homeless community in the area. We served dinner and ate with some of the people currently in the community. I got to meet this guy name Shad, a former wrestler who had recently come to begin a relationship with the Lord. He was a tight guy with a cool story of redemption and hope.
I'm going to update some prayers and praises on the other page. Check that out and go to the thrown for me. The prayers of a righteous man or woman are powerful and effective!
About Me
- Cody Wilson
- West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
- Have you ever been so full of thoughts that you thought you were going to explode? Probably not. Well I am. So I'm going to blog them. Hopefully I'm not the only one that likes to drift off in class pondering them...
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Has "In Christ" Become Cliche?
Well, it has for me.
One of the major questions I have been wrestling with over the last few months is "what does it mean for my identity to be 'in Christ'?" Perhaps I'm over thinking it. Perhaps I care enough to gain more than complacent understanding.
Since coming on project, I have been growing in this area with the Lord. Growth has come about through understanding myself and my ways of thinking. I have been identifying some of the lies I commonly believe about my identity. I have been lead to verses that speak about our new-found righteousness in Christ. My discipler and I have talked for quite a while together on the subject, particularly my identity as a man. I do not want to prematurely conclude on some of the lessons I have been learning, for I feel as though I have much of a ways to still travel. By the end of the summer, Lord willing, I will be able to post about this subject in a more in-depth manor.
For now, I wanted to talk a little bit more about the evangelism we do here on project. I had been getting a few questions about what exactly it is that we do.
Well, there are a number of strategies that we have used to engage the community. Before I mention them, I wanted to give everyone a firm foundation. You know missionaries who go to Africa and build an Christian orphanage, which leads to both the example and the preaching of the gospel? Well that's not what we do.
A good foundation perhaps is to go read Acts. You see how Paul simply walks into the market and begins preaching? That's a little more along our lines. Let me explain some of the differences first, though.
Firstly, we don't really just pick a random barrel and start preaching. Rather, most of our evangelism begins through normal conversation. The general way we share the gospel in Clearwater is by engaging people in conversation that is initiated by us students. There are a number of ways we do this, all focusing on allowing the people we meet to share their thoughts before we ever start talking.
1. Spiritual Surveys: Cru collects data each year through these quick spiritual surveys. We will take these out to the beach and engage people to see if they would be interested in taking it. We are trained to transition these surveys to an opportunity to share the gospel.
2. Soularium: This is similar to the surveys mentioned above, but we use picture cards to and ask people to pick cards that represent their answers. (A lot of people think this is kind of fun, whether or not they wanted to talk about the gospel afterwards).
3. Question Boards: Sometimes, we will take massive wooden boards out to the beach/pier with a simple question written on them. For instance, the board I worked with last weekend said "Who is God?" We then invite people to write their answer on the board. After they have finished, we try and engage them about their answer.
These are just a few of the methods we have used so far, and they have been awesome to experience! I have lost track of how many people have come to Christ since being down here.
Please continue to pray for my team and I. We are expecting God to do big things!
One of the major questions I have been wrestling with over the last few months is "what does it mean for my identity to be 'in Christ'?" Perhaps I'm over thinking it. Perhaps I care enough to gain more than complacent understanding.
Since coming on project, I have been growing in this area with the Lord. Growth has come about through understanding myself and my ways of thinking. I have been identifying some of the lies I commonly believe about my identity. I have been lead to verses that speak about our new-found righteousness in Christ. My discipler and I have talked for quite a while together on the subject, particularly my identity as a man. I do not want to prematurely conclude on some of the lessons I have been learning, for I feel as though I have much of a ways to still travel. By the end of the summer, Lord willing, I will be able to post about this subject in a more in-depth manor.
For now, I wanted to talk a little bit more about the evangelism we do here on project. I had been getting a few questions about what exactly it is that we do.
Well, there are a number of strategies that we have used to engage the community. Before I mention them, I wanted to give everyone a firm foundation. You know missionaries who go to Africa and build an Christian orphanage, which leads to both the example and the preaching of the gospel? Well that's not what we do.
A good foundation perhaps is to go read Acts. You see how Paul simply walks into the market and begins preaching? That's a little more along our lines. Let me explain some of the differences first, though.
Firstly, we don't really just pick a random barrel and start preaching. Rather, most of our evangelism begins through normal conversation. The general way we share the gospel in Clearwater is by engaging people in conversation that is initiated by us students. There are a number of ways we do this, all focusing on allowing the people we meet to share their thoughts before we ever start talking.
1. Spiritual Surveys: Cru collects data each year through these quick spiritual surveys. We will take these out to the beach and engage people to see if they would be interested in taking it. We are trained to transition these surveys to an opportunity to share the gospel.
2. Soularium: This is similar to the surveys mentioned above, but we use picture cards to and ask people to pick cards that represent their answers. (A lot of people think this is kind of fun, whether or not they wanted to talk about the gospel afterwards).
3. Question Boards: Sometimes, we will take massive wooden boards out to the beach/pier with a simple question written on them. For instance, the board I worked with last weekend said "Who is God?" We then invite people to write their answer on the board. After they have finished, we try and engage them about their answer.
These are just a few of the methods we have used so far, and they have been awesome to experience! I have lost track of how many people have come to Christ since being down here.
Please continue to pray for my team and I. We are expecting God to do big things!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Faith within Discouragement
Hey all! Sorry it has been a while since I've really updated on anything. The wireless here hasn't been so hot, and we are kept pretty busy.
This past week has been pretty challenging. I swear I'm probably the first person from Purdue to say it- Summer Project can be hard! Most of us work during the day, where we are trying to be lights to our co-workers, then we come back and usually have some sort of meeting in the evening. Sometimes, we have to help get these meetings ready ourselves. Then there is making dinner and cleaning up afterwards, laundry, random work, and intentionally pursuing the other men and women on the project. It is really easy to wear yourself out here.
However, it has been so good. The Holy Spirit has really been battling bad attitudes and exhaustion within me this past week. With the Lord's help, I'll have the energy to do whatever needs to be done.
So, a couple updates on what I've gotten to do this week:
1. This past weekend, we ministered to people on the beach by playing a game we call Soularium. The way the game works is that we set up about 50 cards, each with a picture of something random (a elderly couple, a tree, a door). Then we ask passerby's questions about the cards. For instance, "which two of these cards best represent your life?" It gives people the ability to start thinking about their life in a whole new way. If people are willing, we also ask some questions about God and the ability to have a relationship with Him. This is our avenue into sharing the gospel with them.
During our time using soularium, it was easy for me to get pretty discouraged. You see, a lot of other groups were having great conversations and people were hearing the gospel. I, myself, was not. In a way, my heart was basically slumped because I wasn't happy with the way the Lord was using me. On top of that, the Lord has really put me in a interesting place at work. Most of the other male workers work the night shift, while I work the morning shift. This has been making it difficult to really work on my ministry at Surf Style. I'm not sure what the Lord's plan is, but I want to trust Him and be faithful!
2. Last night, I got to Emcee our weekly meeting. This meeting is designed to be a recharge for all of us on project. We usually play some sort of goofy game, worship, pray, hear teaching, and enjoy some socializing. Being able to lead it all was such a fun experience! I can't wait to do it again next week!
Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Pray that I am usable for the Lord in His work down in Clearwater!
This past week has been pretty challenging. I swear I'm probably the first person from Purdue to say it- Summer Project can be hard! Most of us work during the day, where we are trying to be lights to our co-workers, then we come back and usually have some sort of meeting in the evening. Sometimes, we have to help get these meetings ready ourselves. Then there is making dinner and cleaning up afterwards, laundry, random work, and intentionally pursuing the other men and women on the project. It is really easy to wear yourself out here.
However, it has been so good. The Holy Spirit has really been battling bad attitudes and exhaustion within me this past week. With the Lord's help, I'll have the energy to do whatever needs to be done.
So, a couple updates on what I've gotten to do this week:
1. This past weekend, we ministered to people on the beach by playing a game we call Soularium. The way the game works is that we set up about 50 cards, each with a picture of something random (a elderly couple, a tree, a door). Then we ask passerby's questions about the cards. For instance, "which two of these cards best represent your life?" It gives people the ability to start thinking about their life in a whole new way. If people are willing, we also ask some questions about God and the ability to have a relationship with Him. This is our avenue into sharing the gospel with them.
During our time using soularium, it was easy for me to get pretty discouraged. You see, a lot of other groups were having great conversations and people were hearing the gospel. I, myself, was not. In a way, my heart was basically slumped because I wasn't happy with the way the Lord was using me. On top of that, the Lord has really put me in a interesting place at work. Most of the other male workers work the night shift, while I work the morning shift. This has been making it difficult to really work on my ministry at Surf Style. I'm not sure what the Lord's plan is, but I want to trust Him and be faithful!
2. Last night, I got to Emcee our weekly meeting. This meeting is designed to be a recharge for all of us on project. We usually play some sort of goofy game, worship, pray, hear teaching, and enjoy some socializing. Being able to lead it all was such a fun experience! I can't wait to do it again next week!
Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Pray that I am usable for the Lord in His work down in Clearwater!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Date Night with Jesus
Most of the time, I hate cleaning dishes with a sponge. First of all, you have to keep it (you can't just throw it away). Sponges usually get pretty close looking, and I hate squeezing them all over my hands. Nonetheless, I am in love with sponges right now.
Why you may ask? Well, right now I feel like a sponge. I feel like a sponge that's been covered in hot tap water and then squeezed until every once of gunk has been rinsed from me. I feel totally refreshed and filled with new water.
Every week, each of us students get away from the rest of the team to have what I like to call "Date Night with Jesus." I'm currently finishing up my own time now.
For the last 2 and 1/2 hours, I have been in this little jankety coffee and ice cream shop in prayer, the Word, mental process, and contemplation. I even journaled for the first time ever! The result has been totally awesome! I feel like I have just sat throw a long conversation with the Jesus, asking Him questions, pouring out my heart, and working along side Him. I was a little unsure at first how I would spend that much time in quiet time, but it was much easier than I could have ever imagined.
These last couple days have been really reaffirming for my heart. For whatever reason, I was really anxious this past weekend. I'm not sure exactly why, but it caused a lot of unrest.
I didn't have to work Monday, so I spent some of my day meeting with my discipler, Daniel Bass, a father of three and Cru Staff Member of North Carolina State University. I had gotten to share my testimony with Daniel and the men in my LifeGroup (bible study) so we first began by simply talking about that more. As we talked, we started to search for some of the heart issues of the sin in my life. (I've determined it wise not to go into too much detail here, but I would love to share more privately if you would like to ask more.) Daniel and I looked at some cool psychological models of how we determine (or create) false truths in our lives. It was such a great time of meeting and I feel really blessed to have this older Man of God leading me this summer.
Today was also my first day of work! Like I mentioned earlier, I am working at a surf shop called Surf Style. If you've ever been to Ron John's, it is very similar to that. I am the sales associate in the Souvenir department. Basically, I sell souvenirs and beach toys/equipment all day! I think I spent about 5 hours just sorting personalized keychains and shot glasses today. I'm hoping to keep things organized, giving me more time to create relationships with my co-workers and love-on customers well.
I've already began conocer some of my co-workers, but for privacy's sake won't put their names up on here on the blog. Could you be praying for them?
Also, some of the team members are still looking for jobs/ministries for the summer. Could you be praying for them? Both peace and patience as well as the providence of a job.
Thank you so much for your support, again! The Lord's plan is beginning to unfold!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Suntans, Sharing, and Stingrays
Come tomorrow, I will have been down in Clearwater Beach for a whole week. I will say, this week has been quite intense.
In the past week, we have spent time getting to know the other team members on project. This has been a blast! My roommates are a great bunch of Biblical men, as are the other guys on project. I also love the adventure that a lot of these guys have in their hearts. One of the cool things about project is what is created when you stick a bunch of Lord-loving guys and girls together in a closely knit space. I'm excited to face challenges of the summer with this community.
As I mentioned in my last post, I managed to find work! I'm so pumped for my ministry at Surf Style. Could you be praying for me?
Also this week, we were able to begin our beach ministry in Clearwater. We began by simply walking the beaching, initiating conversation with people, and giving them the opportunity to talk about their spiritual journey. I had four really good conversations myself! One of was really cool, because the guy we talked to, Cameron, was interested in meeting up with us and playing some volleyball over the summer.
Want to hear a funny story? So, like I said, there is a group of the guys with a pretty adventurous streak. We decided one night to go out for a swim in the ocean. One thing that is cool about the beach in Clearwater is that the water stays fairly shallow for about 50 yards at parts. So, in the moonlight, seven of us had waded about 30 yards into the water when the leader of our pack caught a glimpse of a few round shapes in the water. While we were trying to figure out what exactly they were (probably stingrays) something off to our right jumped and splashed. Without saying a word, our pack of valiant men immediately raced back to shore, splash-running in a not-so-manly-way. It was pretty humorous at the time, and I'm sure the couple enjoying the stars enjoyed it too.
I'm pumped to begin work tomorrow. Check my prayer page for updates!
In the past week, we have spent time getting to know the other team members on project. This has been a blast! My roommates are a great bunch of Biblical men, as are the other guys on project. I also love the adventure that a lot of these guys have in their hearts. One of the cool things about project is what is created when you stick a bunch of Lord-loving guys and girls together in a closely knit space. I'm excited to face challenges of the summer with this community.
As I mentioned in my last post, I managed to find work! I'm so pumped for my ministry at Surf Style. Could you be praying for me?
Also this week, we were able to begin our beach ministry in Clearwater. We began by simply walking the beaching, initiating conversation with people, and giving them the opportunity to talk about their spiritual journey. I had four really good conversations myself! One of was really cool, because the guy we talked to, Cameron, was interested in meeting up with us and playing some volleyball over the summer.
Want to hear a funny story? So, like I said, there is a group of the guys with a pretty adventurous streak. We decided one night to go out for a swim in the ocean. One thing that is cool about the beach in Clearwater is that the water stays fairly shallow for about 50 yards at parts. So, in the moonlight, seven of us had waded about 30 yards into the water when the leader of our pack caught a glimpse of a few round shapes in the water. While we were trying to figure out what exactly they were (probably stingrays) something off to our right jumped and splashed. Without saying a word, our pack of valiant men immediately raced back to shore, splash-running in a not-so-manly-way. It was pretty humorous at the time, and I'm sure the couple enjoying the stars enjoyed it too.
I'm pumped to begin work tomorrow. Check my prayer page for updates!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I have a Job/Ministry!
Hey everyone!
It is day three down here on the Island of Clearwater Beach. Things have been so cool down here! Yesterday, we spent a lot of times in our Life Groups, which are the small groups in which we will be meeting with our mentor for the first five weeks of summer. We did a lot of orientation and prep. I'm doing my best to learn names fast, but there are over 30 other students with me and a number of staff and their families. It can get challenging.
Want to hear an awesome praise to the Lord? On my first day of job searching, I have found work! A chain store called Surf Style (www.surf-style.com) has hired a good number of us from the project. Surf Style is a store that sells beach products, beach clothing, surfing gear, and skating gear.We will get to hear back in a few days on our assigned location, but there are three fairly close to our motel.
We studied today how we can often just see jobs, work, or even careers as money-makers. However, the Lord has destined so much more for us! Most of us are not full time missionaries or pastors, but we are all called to GO and make disciples. How can we do that? One of the most obvious places is our workplace. One of the big things we will be studying/practicing this summer is how we can be active Kingdom Workers in our workplaces.
Surf Style is an especially cool opportunity because they tend to hire quite a few international students. Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Central and South America are all represented at Surf Style locations! Working there is going to give me and the other project students an awesome opportunity to share the gospel with our co-workers. Could you be praying for divine appointments this summer?
Thank you again for wanting to keep up with me! It means a lot!
It is day three down here on the Island of Clearwater Beach. Things have been so cool down here! Yesterday, we spent a lot of times in our Life Groups, which are the small groups in which we will be meeting with our mentor for the first five weeks of summer. We did a lot of orientation and prep. I'm doing my best to learn names fast, but there are over 30 other students with me and a number of staff and their families. It can get challenging.
Want to hear an awesome praise to the Lord? On my first day of job searching, I have found work! A chain store called Surf Style (www.surf-style.com) has hired a good number of us from the project. Surf Style is a store that sells beach products, beach clothing, surfing gear, and skating gear.We will get to hear back in a few days on our assigned location, but there are three fairly close to our motel.
We studied today how we can often just see jobs, work, or even careers as money-makers. However, the Lord has destined so much more for us! Most of us are not full time missionaries or pastors, but we are all called to GO and make disciples. How can we do that? One of the most obvious places is our workplace. One of the big things we will be studying/practicing this summer is how we can be active Kingdom Workers in our workplaces.
Surf Style is an especially cool opportunity because they tend to hire quite a few international students. Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Central and South America are all represented at Surf Style locations! Working there is going to give me and the other project students an awesome opportunity to share the gospel with our co-workers. Could you be praying for divine appointments this summer?
Thank you again for wanting to keep up with me! It means a lot!
Monday, May 21, 2012
On the First Night
So I figured I couldn't go the first night without posting something to at least say we got here safe!
The place we are staying is a small motel, and the North Carolina people have already filled it with these hammock things called Enos (apparently they are big over there).
I plan on posting pictures of the trip as they come on a separate page of the blog. It will take a little bit longer to do, so check back in a few days.
I'm pumped to get to work and continue relationship building with the team. Be praying!
The place we are staying is a small motel, and the North Carolina people have already filled it with these hammock things called Enos (apparently they are big over there).
I plan on posting pictures of the trip as they come on a separate page of the blog. It will take a little bit longer to do, so check back in a few days.
I'm pumped to get to work and continue relationship building with the team. Be praying!
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