Hidden away in the backcountry of Lawton, MI sits a beautiful wooded campground surrounded by an inviting lake that was home to this summers 30 eager and expectant Experience Mission Interns for a whole week of training. Most of us came in with no idea of what we were really getting ourselves into, but after session lectures, module overviews, responsibility rundowns and much prayer and worship, we are now all fully equipped to face the mission field.
Upon first arriving everyone seemed to be buzzing with excitement upon meeting the two or three other people they would share life with this summer, and yet having no idea just how wild a ride training alone would be. We spent hours in a white-walled, window-filled conference room learning how to rescue an unconscious victim, or how to react to troubled youth pastors, or how to communicate best with our fellow interns. We read, reacted, discussed and heard about many different scenarios we may encounter this summer, and they all taught us a little more about ourselves, and about each other. Through these five short days of training we unknowingly became a family; and by the end of the week you could tell that there was something keeping us all knit together, not matter how far apart we would be this summer.
Team West Virginia finally met as well, and it was a joyous occasion. We come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but God placed us together for such a time as this to serve Him as a team, and for that we could not be more excited. Throughout the week we sat next to one another during sessions, saved lives together during demonstrations, and faced challenges together on scavenger hunts. Experience Mission’s fearless leader Chris Clum led us through many exercises to learn how we react in stressful situations and what responsibilities are most suited to us. Chris, along with the rest of the EM staff equipped us not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually as well. We learned that West Virginia is full of interesting challenges, but feel ready after this past week and with God on our side, we will learn to overcome them.
This group of young adults that came from coast to coast became a family in Christ over these five days. We left with memories that will not soon be forgotten, and hearts full of joy and expectancy for the unpredicted ways God will blow us away this summer.
