Colorado

For the past 2 weeks I have been in Colorado Springs going through a program called Mission Training International.  It was strongly recommended to me by Kids Alive and also by Dave Holzhauer who served in Constanza for the past few years and has been a big help to me.  I didn't know what to expect, but the experience has been an unbelievable one and I feel so much more prepared for what is to come in the DR.  The first day or 2 was OK, the training sessions were great but I mostly kept to myself because I didn't think I would really relate with anyone here.  

The second night we were here I had an unbelievable transformation in my heart.  It is hard to explain, especially on a blog, but I was preparing for a bible study the next morning for our small group and I was just very convicted about tearing down walls I have built up my whole life and becoming more transparent as a person.  I thought back to a conversation I had with a good friend and former roommate about how when things weren't going well for him spiritually that he started praying that God would turn his desires into God's desires.  I was feeling pretty low and unprepared for the DR spiritually a few weeks ago so even though I didn't mean it and wasn't ready to give up some areas of my life selfishly, but I kept praying.  That Tuesday night God finally answered my prayer and everything seemed to click and make sense finally!  The sermon at Glen Ellyn Bible Church before I left was about the qualities and high standards that are laid out in 1st timothy for elders in the church.  For some reason the sermon stuck with me and I didn't know why.  During that night God changed my heart to truly desire these characteristics and qualities of Godly men in my life.  I thought back to the witness of my dad's life and all I wanted to do was strive to become the man that God has called me to be.  Kinda confusing and hard to explain but an unbelievable experience for me. 

The next morning in our small group I really felt comfortable and really wanted to open up to the guys in my small group.  It was such a freeing time and an opportunity for great growth.  In the 2 short weeks here I have already established great relationships with the men in my small group and others here at MTI.  My expectations and what I wanted to get out of these 3 weeks have been truly shattered by God and I have grown so much.  

I feel very separated from Wheaton and family right now, but it is funny to think that out of everyone living at our house I am actually the closest one to home right now!  Caroline has been in Europe for a 10 week business program and is Germany right now, Chris left early early friday morning for Europe with my grandparents and his good friend steve, and my parents are laying out by the pool in Arizona! Strange.  Although I am ready and excited to leave for the DR, I am looking forward to the next couple months in Wheaton.