Survivor

So after being home from Mexico for only three days, I went camping with my church for the annual Survivor youth retreat. No, I wasn't on the TV show... ;) Herb Kuryliw (Uthguy) is the leader of the 7th and 8th grade X4J (eXtreme for Jesus) youth group at church and every summer, he organizes a camping retreat called Survivor. There are two tribes (with names, buffs, and everything) of kids who compete in different challenges throughout a three day period. Whichever tribe earns the most points by the end wins (basically bragging rights) - but Survivor is about much more than that. Between these crazy challenges, Herb has a few sessions where he talks to the campers about applying that year's theme to their lives and how to grow in their Christian walk. There are tribal counsels like the show, but instead of voting people out, there are votes for who live their lives fullest for God. There are four categories, and out of those four categories, there is a vote held for who is the Soul Survivor. I've been through this program many times - this was my sixth year at Survivor. The first three, I was competing as part of the tribes (I won Soul Survivor between my 7th and 8th grade years). These last three years, I've been part of the High School Leader Support Team. We basically set up all the equipment for the challenges and mentor/hang out with the campers. This year, the leadership team made a point to also have time set aside for prayer - we prayed for the week, the weather, and most importantly the campers. It was such a great time - I'm still exhausted and sore from the week, but seeing the faces of the X4J campers makes all our hard work more than worth it!

One of the previous logos

Home from Monterrey

Well, I'm home!!! My time in Mexico was so amazing!!! I just flew home on Saturday, and I feel a little weird - I was in a different place every morning from Friday through Sunday!!!

Matias - the little Mexican!

The Clauson Family's new house

The last week I was in Mexico we drove eight hours south to Tequisquiapan for the Covenant church's Staff Retreat/Business Meeting for all of the missionaries in Mexico. I got to see a lot of the same missionaries from last year (and a few new faces) and even though it was a little hectic with all the kids, I had an amazing time!

Erika and Lucas (for the first time) swimming

The view from the Hotel

It's hard to believe that I am really home! I do miss the Clausons and even just being in Mexico, but I do feel glad to be home. This trip has been such an adventure - it was the longest time I've been away from my family, let alone being in another country. But I feel like it was such a growing experience for me. God showed me a lot of things about Him. He showed me that His timing truly is perfect - I was able to help the Clausons while they were moving, nothing that we could have planned so far in advance. God showed me that even though I was in a foreign country and I didn't speak the language, I was surrounded by God's family which overstepped the bounds of culture and language. I don't feel that God has confirmed in my heart that I will be a missionary, but He has shown me more than anything that it is possible to do - whatever I end up becoming or doing with my life, I could apply it to the mission field. God just told me this summer that I need to keep my heart open to whatever He may have planned and there's no telling what He can do with me! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for me this summer. Muchas gracias, y Dios te bendiga!!!

The Missionary Group

Pictures from Mexico!!!

Finally, here are some pics of my time here in Mexico!!! I've been having such a great time!!! The first pic is the hand painting we were doing for the kids in the community near the Foundation. Then a picture of the mountains at night from the roof of La Roca de Salvacion church. (I think I have more pics of the mountains than people!!!) Next is the whole Clauson family (Nils, Erika, Matias and Lucas) on a Safari ride at the zoo, and finally me with Nils and Matias on the same ride. I have been pretty busy here, but hopefully I can get more pics up here soon!!! Dios bendiga!