Day One

Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

And with that, I will be traveling 5,698 miles over the course of 10 weeks to 9 different churches in 5 different states over two time zones never being closer than Tifton, GA to my home with 23 people I’ve never met in my life, including one who’s last name is also Fortune. Tomorrow…well today is day one of this Odyssey. As I tearfully leave my home, my mom states half-jokingly, “You don’t have to go,” while all along I know I do and I will, because I’ve been called by something greater. I’m scared to death, and there’s no way of eloquently saying that. I’m a neophyte, a beginner in this arena.  There will be long days full of screaming kids and little freedom, but I can’t wait. I’m excited to meet new people from different backgrounds. Even kids from UGAg, Auburn, and Climpsun. I’m being taught how to be tolerant I suppose…haha. I’ve never been West of Alabama, so I’ll finally see if things really are bigger in Texas. I look forward to meeting great new people, but most definitely will be filled with thoughts of those I’m leaving here in the Peach State.  In the coming weeks and days, I’ll update with information on how to send mail, which would be so greatly appreciated. I’ll also drop random posts about how life on the road is and crazy stories that the kids will create.  I will not have computer access or my phone over the course of training, so surprise me with something for when I get them back.

I remember October, maybe November of 2008, sitting at Junior’s Grill for breakfast under the shadows of Tech Tower, with my good friend Will Marshall and he said, “you should do camp.” I knew of this camp because my bgf Abbie did it last Summer and it changed her’s and others’ lives, but I felt inadequate. I had just picked up a Bible for the first time and now I’m being asked to teach kids about Jesus.  I knew though at that moment, that yes, no matter what I tried to tell myself and whatever excuses I tried to make up, I would be working for Chick Fil A’s Winshape camp this summer. I love kids, and I always have whether it be the younger siblings of my sister’s teammates, like Mr. Brady Scott or my younger cousins. There’s just something pure about kids that we can learn from. This summer I will be teaching Wacky Science to the campers. It’s quite intimidating. I will also be a part of the Safari village which consists of 3rd and 4th graders and is the foundation of the weekly Bible study. Ironically, Safari means that I will be wearing red, which I’ve never done in my life. The new experiences are coming from all over.

There is so much more that I could say, but I just don’t have the time or effort left to do so. Keep checking this blog please or subscribe so that you can be notified when it’s updated. I love you all so so much and please keep myself, the others working camp this summer, and the people I’m leaving at home in your thoughts and prayers. Here are a few pictures of the trunk I’ll be living out of this summer. I had to personalize it a bit. Talk to you when training ends.

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~ by ramblinwreckcf on May 27, 2009.