I kept the daily blog updated for Eastside's (my church) website. You can read the blog over at ebcfamily.org/michigan2013. Since that was for the group, I wasn't able to give my viewpoint as much as I would have on a more personal site, or give my opinions of the trip—that means RI gets another post!
Why did I go on this trip?
I initially came on this trip to solve one problem I knew I had with ministry: talking to people about Christ. I simply didn't know how that process started. I had questions like:
- How do I start this type of conversation?
- How do I keep the conversation on track?
- How do I keep the person I'm talking to interested in what I have to say?
Recognizing I couldn't really take a class or ask someone to explain these concepts, I started looking for a way to gain this experience. I knew plenty of head knowledge, and could give lectures on many different topics about the Bible and its related topics, but I was uncomfortable starting such conversations.
I suppose my reason was to learn how to talk to people, but I returned with the realization that I already knew how to do that. Conversations about the Bible is something many, many people are interested in—or at least will hear you out on—and already have questions about. My expertise in creation can be useful in talking to Christians in particular. They have already have questions about how science relates to the Bible, so we easily get into a good conversation about what I study all the time. And, science and the Bible are already really interesting topics, so I don't have to work to keep them interested.
Highlights of the Trip
Victory Network
Being the one and only person who could fix Victory Fellowship's computer network issues was awesome. Upon arrival, Darrell (mission leader) asked Pastor Gaddy if he needed anything computer related fixed and I was put on securing the network. It was nice to be inside working on what I have done dozens of times at home and not outside mowing grass or painting the fellowship hall.
It turned out the church had this haphazard conglomerate of wireless routers and wireless extenders, all on different BSSIDs and no encryption. With something like four routers, and two extenders, with 20+ computers, they needed a better system and security.
I was asked to lead a meeting to talk about exactly what the state of Victory's network was in. It was cool to have Darrell, Dale (elder at Eastside), and the pastor of Victory Fellowship listening to what I had to say and taking my recommendations. I'm not sure, but I don't think 23-year-olds get that kind of authority very often.
I made their network more robust and more secure, but I just hope they don't forget about computer security again. I made the analogy that before I came they had all of their computers setting outside that anybody could come up and interact with. After my changes, there's now a fence around the computers and a gate. It's now up to them to keep the gate closed. I should have mentioned things like making sure people can't dig under or climb over, but I think I made my point.
Blogging for Eastside
Being put in charge of posting a daily blog post on the church website and having quite a bit of latitude as to what I could do with it was another great experience. I was writing the each day's events to an audience of a few hundred people. I had to inform the parents back home what we were doing, but also ensure they didn't get the wrong impression about the events since the wrong wording of an event can be disastrous.
Interviewing the students was quite interesting. I asked each student very similar questions, but, while there were similar themes, no viewpoint was the same. Sure, I know that each person has their own experiences, however, to see it first-hand was really neat.
Father in the park
Our first day of holding Kids' Camp (rebranding of VBS) my group had a father and three kids. I'm on the story team, so I sat away from the main group going over my notes of what I was covering that day: creation week through the flood. Shane, the father, came over to register the kids and we got to talking about the Bible. He mentioned how much he loved the story of Job and I saw the opening—I had no idea if it was going to work, and didn't know his stance on creation. I stated Job described a dinosaur and Shane couldn't believe it. He recovered from his shock and thought for a moment, realizing I must be talking about the behemoth. We looked up the exact passage (Job 40), read it, and we talked about the implications: dinosaurs lived with humans, and not 65 million years ago. The conversation led to Genesis, Noah's Flood, the Trinity, and many other topics. I couldn't believe I was talking about creation with a stranger, not knowing if I would ever meet him again.
My group came over and informed me it was time for the Bible story, so I sat down with them in the grass. I suddenly realized I had left my notes over at the table, but I didn't think it would look good if I left to get them. Resolving to tell my favorite part of the Bible with the best impression possible, I proceeded to cover Creation Week, Adam and Eve, and Noah without notes or other aids. I'm not sure who learned more, the three kids we had, their father, or my teammates gathered around me. Questions abounded from my teammates, asking about dates, dimensions, and other details of Noah's ark. It was clear they had never heard the story with so many details.
Talking with the leaders
As we traveled back from our stop in Chicago to sightsee after ten days on mission, I got to talk for hours with two of the leaders. We covered topics most people consider taboo, talking about each topic for at least an hour. They shared what they struggle with, how they deal with it, and how hard it is to keep from giving in to the temptation. They go to incredible lengths to keep temptation as far away as possible—I told them I didn't understand why they did such things and thought they were weird. Their zeal to keep themselves as pure as possible impressed me and has left me wondering how I can imitate their zeal. I'm going to be processing the wisdom they shared with me for quite a while.
Talking about creation with the guys
One of the guys in our van stated he didn't believe dinosaurs existed and was very distrusting of scientists. That got an hour-long conversation started about dinosaurs living alongside humans, old-earth creationism versus young earth creationism, radiometric dating, why God created stars, and aliens. It was awesome to see ten middle and high school boys asking these kind of questions and listening thoughtfully about my answers. Most of the guys believed in a young Earth, probably from their parents, but one was very clear he believed in an old Earth, and asked specific questions relating to timescales. I made him think seriously about what he has been taught. I hope he continues to think about these issues.
Summary
It was hard work, it was long hours, and it was a strain at times, but I will do it again. I learned many things, I left an impression on several, and I bonded with students and leaders that I would not have otherwise.
