I decided to film myself signing my overall experience at Wildwood because American Sign Language (ASL) is my first language. I want to be able to express my experience in my native language. Also, I translated ASL into English for those who are not familiar with ASL.
Just so that you know that I filmed myself without much edit and typed English with little thought about grammar.
You may view the following video or read English written blog just below the video.
Hello, my name is Azael, and you may call me Auzy if you wish.
Well, I am going to share my experience about Wildwood Summer Project (WWSP). First, I will explain what is summer project, which is sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ (C3). C3 organization can be found in various colleges here in America with their mission of equipping college students. That way, college students will be capable of leading Bible study, reaching to those who do not know the Gospel, and encouraging other students to have personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, the mission of C3 focuses on American college students.
Anyway, C3 has a program called summer project all over the world, including South America, East Asia, Europe, and America. God led me to apply to Wildwood, which is located in south of New Jersey.
Now, I will share three main patterns in my experience of WWSP.
The first will be Gospel. Gospel means Good News. That is, it is all about Jesus who was sent to the earth cleansed our sins with His precious holy blood to reconcile us to our God the Father.
I learned that...you see, I was a staff-student and in staff training before the arrival of the students for WWSP.
Okay, this is off-topic for a moment, I am currently here in Honduras, Central America visiting my family and then join a ministry team at a vocational school for the Deaf in Tegucigalpa (the capital city of Honduras). So, I am currently in Honduras, and I was in Florida for a short time. Before moving to Florida, I was in New Jersey. Just so that you know where in the time I am at this moment.
During the staff training, I learned that Gospel is not only for those who do not know God personally, but also for those who have relationship with God. These believers are to continue to grow through the Gospel. I saw that Gospel can be used to draw unbelievers into having relationship with Jesus Christ and can be also used for personal growth in faith. The Gospel will reveal that I am broken, horrible, sinful and that I am in need of His help.
So, it's a good reminder for me to know that not only unbelievers need Jesus Christ, but believers need Jesus in their lives daily. Moreover, the Gospel has grace, and grace allows me to fail. Yes, you understand what I just said. Grace allows me to fail. God knows that we are humans, which it's inevitable to fail. We fall short of perfection.
The Jesus is the only perfectionist in the world. He was born under the law and was able to follow God's Laws. We are not capable of following all of the laws. Jesus did not, not even one second, turn right or left from the law. For this reason, Jesus is the righteous man. What's more is that Jesus loves us so much that He is willing to die for our sins. Imagine this: Jesus exchange for His most holy robe that is as white as snow for our robes that contained of holes and dirt. Our robes are basically like a large rag.
If we humble ourselves and give our sins to Jesus who will freely accept it, we will be given the holy robe. We will be clothe in Jesus' righteousness; therefore, we will shine. For this reason, God will see us as the righteous people.
**you may see my odd gesture to signal that I don't know to communicate with my mamá (mother in Spanish to indicate that she is my biological mother) that I don't know where is her cell phone**
I was interrupted. Anyway, I am clothed with Jesus' righteousness. God will always see me as the righteous man despite of mistakes I may make in the future. He knows that I desire to be like His Beloved Son, so He allow me to make mistakes in order to grow in faith. This is important message for me. It's a good reminder.
Now, the second would be about masculinity. I wish there is a sign for masculinity. Anyway, one significant lesson for me regarding the masculinity is its definition in relation with any women (girlfriend, mother, sisters, sisters in Christ, female non-believers). It is my responsible as a man to protect, lead, and provide for these women. For example, I am to protect a woman by setting limit on how much I share about myself with this woman. That way, I will not allow the woman to become connected to me emotionally; otherwise, the woman who become emotional connected to me may be hurt because she discovered that I do not intend to initiate a romantic relationship with her. I am to protect my heart and her heart to maintain healthy relationship between the woman and I.
I am also to provide for a woman. For example, this woman may have needs that I can meet, seek advice, or is stuck in a situation from which I can get her out.
Now, about lead as my responsibility, I need to be initiative, and women's role is to support whatever I am initiating. For example, I can lead a group by starting with a prayer, and women agree with my initiative action. Men's role is to be a leader.
Again, the significant lesson regarding masculinity is at the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, protect, and provide for women in ways appropriate to a man's differing relationships.
Finally, the next thing I will be sharing is community. I came to see that community is actually important. It's funny because God taught me the importance of having personal relationships with individuals. God is now teaching me the importance of, what it seems to be broader level in terms of relationship, community. You see, last summer, I went to Wildwood Summer Project as a student. Now, I returned to WWSP as a staff-intern, and I thought I already know what I had learned from last summer. However, I discovered that there was actually more to learn.
I'm grateful for His leading through my life in His gentleness and love. I now understand that community is important because it is composed of many personal relationships that are connected to each other. Community is also important because the community already accept who I am no matter how awful my past was or how many I may make mistakes in the future. The community will mirror me to show my mistakes in order to encourage me to become a better person. Therefore, community can be your accountability.
God has a perfect timing because I learned the importance of community before moving to Florida. There in Florida, I will be starting a new life probably for a while. I will build a new whole community in Clearwater, Florida, especially with deaf people. I have heard that Deaf community is large in Clearwater, Florida. I may be able to build a community of hearing people as well.
Besides, I will be going on a mission trip in Honduras with those who are from a church in Florida. Since I'm here in Honduras, I will meet the ministry team and then go to Tegucigalpa to minister deaf students at a vocational school. While I will be on the mission trip, I ought to make effort to get to know each of the team members to have a good community in Honduras.
Actually, I want to share briefly about comforting verses.
You see, as time to leave New Jersey approached faster and faster, I was worried about purchasing a used car, finding a place to live, and planning Honduran trip with only 4-day period of settling down in Florida.
I was usually not becoming stressed quite easily. However, in this situation, I became stressed quickly and was a bit more stressed than usual. Fortunately, God has shown me the verse, which is Genesis 18:14. It said "Is anything too hard for the Lord?".
You may obviously answer, "No!" to the question. You may want to ask the very question when you are in situation where it is beyond your fathom of the definition of impossible. In this case, it forced me to turn to God for His provision, power, wisdom, and more.
So yahh.
Also, I want to share another comforting verse, which is Exodus 1:12. It said "But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became"
It's good reminder for me to know that although I was in such situation where I felt like I was oppressed as I tried to plan things in advance. I wanted to give up and see how things will work out by themselves. However, God showed me that I need to learn to put my trust in His capability to make everything work out to benefit me. That is, to put me in such difficult trail where I need to turn to Him and focus on Him as I get through the trails. I realized that the outcome of getting through the trails produce stronger faith, which may prepare me for the future much more difficult trails.
Okay...so that's three main things of my experience at Wildwood Summer Project in addition to my encounter with comforting verses, which God showed me.
I was supposed to share significant events at Wildwood Summer Project weekly, but then I became quite busy with the job of staff-intern. I was also busy with other things.
There you go. You now know what's my overall experience at Wildwood Summer Project.
If you wish to contact me, go ahead and contact me =)
Before I go, I want you to keep pursuing God's heart because He will provide true peace, love, and joy. Everything you imagine will be surpassed by God's blessings for your life.
Well, have a good night!
Peace out!
Azael
