Maranatha Volunteers International, a non-profit Seventh-Day Adventist Christian organization founded in 1969 implements and organizes the contruction of urgently needed buildings all over the world. While churches and schools are its primary contruction, buildings such as clinics, orphanages, homes, and even hospitals have also been built in desperately needed areas around the world thanks to Maranatha.
In 1991, Chris Blake, editor of Insight Christian Youth Magazine was running alongside his friend Mark Ford on a treadmill. It was there they began discussing the importance of excercising their faith as christians as well as... well... just excercising! Soon after they were able to put together a small group of youth (12 girls & 2 guys) together and head over to Honduras where Ultimate Workout was created. Ultimate Workout, a program by Maranatha, is an annual project where teenagers ages 14-18 get together in one location on the globe, coming together from all over the United States to excercise, build, and share their faith. Some projects call for building a church. Some call for building a schools, clinics, or houses. Whatever it is, it is definately a life changing experience.
In late March 2009, I applied for Maranatha's Ultimate Workout 19 in Villahermosa, Mexico where 6 churches were desperately needed in villages far out and away from society. The project also called for outreach programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS) where the teen volunteers lead out in singing songs, games, basic reading & writing lessongs, as well as powerful life changing messages.
I applied simply because I wanted to rekindle and to renew my relationship with God. All leaders whether spiritual or not are always looked up to by soneone and always have eyes watching them on every action they make. Most leaders in the church always seem to be doing well in their works whether leading out in song, speech, or activity. They can look like the brightest angel and the perfect "christian" type of person. However, a lot of times leaders get caught up in what I like to call 'The works of God' and forget 'The God of the works'. To be honest, I have found myself in this position many times. (That's right! I'm not perfect! haha) In fact, I think many leaders come in and out of this phase and it is really a test of how strong your faith with God is.
Being a senior in high school, I am at a point in my life where I am making decisions I have never made before. Growing up, starting a new chapter of life in college, exploring what career path to go down, and even dealing with your typical teenaged drama that your ordinary teenager goes through can be tough without having God in your life. During this trip I hope to find a spiritual renewal as well as what career path God has planned out for me. God has a plan for everybody and if you "Commit your plans and decisions to the Lord," "...under His guidance you will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3; CW) As leaders in our church and communities, we sometimes get caught up in our leading and teaching and forget who's leading us and who our teacher is. You probably heard of the saying "You must learn to follow before you can lead." This is a true statement for all leaders in the church. You must learn and follow Jesus' teachings before you can go out and preach them yourself. These are things I hope to rekindle and find during Ultimate Workout 19.
These, are my 'Next-Steps'...
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