For anyone who does not know what it’s like moving across the country to live in South Carolina for eight weeks to be fully immersed in learning about the Lord and working at Walmart, the only word I can possibly use to describe it is impactful. One of the things leaders said the first week here was that while we were going to be doing a lot, we also have to say goodbye to our comfort zone. A lot of students, including myself felt this arriving in South Carolina. However, I would be as bold to say that the Lord does his best work when we push ourselves and fully submit to him. In the Bible it talks about not being afraid and being confident in the Lord a lot, it’s something we’ve even covered in a few talks these first few weeks of being here. The main verse that comes to mind for me is
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I love this verse because wherever we travel, live or work, we can have assurance that God has not left us to be on our own, this includes South Carolina! As a first-time student coming to Summer Training Project, it is very evident that the Lord is doing good work here and that gives me peace in the midst of being involved into new experiences.
This first week has been a lot of stimulus with meeting people from several different schools, being on your feet all day walking around and listening and diving deep into the Word of God daily. It is physically, emotionally and spiritually stimulating. However, I am confident that all the students and leaders here are being pushed out of their comfort zone by learning a lot and really developing skills that we can use for the rest of our lives! Each day here ends with a grateful spirit, tired feet and a strengthened heart for the Lord as we get to know each other better and are becoming more unified brothers and sisters in Christ. What better environment to test our growth than in a safe community of Christians that cheer you on and celebrate with you!
I asked some students what are some spontaneous or bold things they that have done that expanded their comfort zone so far here and this is a list of what they said:
- Sang karaoke in front of a crowd that you just met
- Learned to skim board
- Learned to stand up on a surfboard
- Started conversations with co-workers talking about Jesus
- Went night swimming in the ocean
- Randomly been thrown in the pool
- Threw a plunger in a toilet (we had a FUN low country boil)
- Had conversations with people about difficult topics such as gender, race, sexuality, etc.
- Faked a proposal and breakup in public (We had a blast as we did a scavenger hunt!)
- Walked up to strangers at Broadway at the Beach and asking them if they’re from Minnesota.
- Went on a helicopter ride
- Prayed for a customer in a Walmart parking lot
- Worked 8 hour shifts at Walmart/Chick-fil-a
Not to mention that moving across the country not knowing who you will be living with or anything about the area isn’t a big enough deal, that alone is removing us from our ‘safe place’ at home! We have done so much in two weeks I cannot wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store for us.
If you are reading this, continue to pray for everyone here and that we will continue to really live/grow in the uncomfortable moments here on project that are meant for us to build our faith.
