For those who don't know, I have signed up for a 12-month discipleship program with T Bar M camps in New Braunfels, Texas this year called the "Timothy Team". Working two summers as a sports camp coach left a strong mark on me, to say the least. I had great respect for the staff at camp in every regard, and since I had no other plans for this year, I deemed it time to gain vision for my future.
Expectations can be dangerous; the surprise parties that Jesus holds are always the best.
- to be working 8-5, M-F and two weekends per month.
- to be spending more time facilitating team building with group retreats than discussing our discipleship curriculum books. Rhetorical question: "Wait, discipleship is more about living the faith than it is learning about the faith?"
- to get so many dine-out meals for free!
- to be focusing more on a group calling than a personal calling. "So this isn't just a year for me to discover my vocation through prayer?"
- to get such a workout from the Big Swing on the high ropes course!
- to receive such a dynamic and condensed education of Old Testament geography.
- to be empowered to lead worship music, use a soundboard, get a truck out of mud, build bunk beds, lead dozens of group games, dance the story of the Bible, oversee camp operations...and more.
But the greatest surprises come from these brothers and sisters.
They are the main reason why this is a discipleship program. All that I do this year, whether in mission trips, facilitating group games, or studying Scripture, is done alongside them. They'll keep me in check, and by God's grace I'll do the same for them.
(L to R: [1] Eric, me, JP, Tyler, Truett, Jordan [2] Alysa, Alicia, Audrey, Kaitlin, Ashton, Hannah Beth)
You can be praying for me:
- that God would provide me daily motivation to love my brothers and sisters, despite our differences.
- that I would be receptive to the Holy Spirit as He reveals ways I can grow as a leader, brother, and servant.
- that fear of people would cease as I get to know the people I'm living with, and as they get to know me. That God's Spirit of courage and boldness would pervade.
- that the reading of the Old Testament and discipleship would be transferred directly into my work with groups that come to camp, so that people from outside would see Christ in me.
Thank you for your prayers!
Daniel
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A random tidbit to chew on:
"We only know Him in so far as we are known by Him, and our contemplation of Him is a participation in His contemplation of Himself. We become contemplatives when God discovers Himself in us," -Thomas Merton.
