Snowbird

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a camp called Snowbird. Within Snowbird, there are three main groups: SWO (Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters), which is the normal camp where campers participate in a variety of games and recreational activities (recs); SMO (Snowbird Missions and Outreach), which is basically a mini-mission trip; and OLD School (Outdoor Leadership and Discipleship School), which is where campers are sent out into the woods for old-fashioned camping, along with several adventurous activities. I chose to participate in SMO so I could get a chance to do some kind of mission trip before heading off to college this fall. And it was amazing. We walked to a house just down the street from the camp site, and our group painted the house for a family that Brody, one of the founders of Snowbird, has been pouring into, showing them God's love. We almost finished the house in two days, leaving only a few details to polish up on the third day. So instead of taking the whole group back, we had planned to have half the group go back while the other half went to a nursing home to spend time with the elderly. But it rained... So the half that was supposed to go back to the house just stayed at the camp site and did recs instead.

The last two nights hit me hard. Thursday night, the SWO staff did what they call "the Revelation skit." As the name suggests, it's a skit based on the book of Revelation in the Bible. They did an amazing job, and it really moved me. It reminded me of what we Christians look forward to: the return of our Savior and King Jesus Christ.

Then came Friday night... Brody spoke about missionary work and spreading the Gospel to those who have never heard it, and the message really struck a chord with me. After the sermon, I went up to the Prayer Chapel, which is a special building the SWO staff set up in honor of missionaries and persecuted Christians around the world. There were a bunch of things to read for personal spiritual growth, and there were stations where you could write your thoughts or write to a missionary or imprisoned Christian to encourage them. During Brody's sermon, I got the feeling that God wanted me to become a missionary, and He placed India in my thoughts because there are so many unreached people groups there. When I went to the Prayer Chapel, there were three main areas in India that were marked as unreached. I think God had me focus on a particular area for a reason, and I felt like He wanted me to take the Gospel there. After looking around on Google Maps some, I've set my sights on Shahpura, Madhya Pradesh, India. I'm still not sure about any of the details, like when I'll go, if that's really where God wants me, how I'll get the money to go, and what I'll be doing there, but right now I just need prayer.

One of the verses written on the walls of the Prayer Chapel really spoke to me. It said, "How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15).

So please pray for me. Pray that God would reveal His plan for me, that I would grow in wisdom and faith so that I can share His love and His word if/when I go, for safety if/when I go, for godly fellowship to keep me moving forward, and that God would work through me to reach out to His people who have yet to hear the name of Jesus.

Also, Birju, if you read this, I could use some Indian language/culture lessons. Haha.

Until next time, God bless!

Michael

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"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." ~ 1 Timothy 2:8

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to live is Christ and to die is gain." ~ Philippians 1:20-21