What I Miss About Camp

Allow me to take a break from the Jordanian adventure.

I've been torturing myself lately by spending what probably amounts to several hours of creeping through videos and photos of Centrikid 2011.  

As you are well aware, I chose to spend my summer just a little bit differently than last summer.  Although I don't regret the decision at all, a lot of my heart is rooted in Centrikid, and I do miss it so much more than I thought I would.  In honor of that hole that exists in my heart, I'll now be listing a few of those things that I miss.

Here's to nastalgia.

1.  Van Rides.  Travel is one of my most favorite things, and it becomes so much more exciting when done with amazing people.  It is for this reason that I miss riding in a van with twenty of my closest friends.  Whether it was singing, dancing, asking "What's one thing I don't know about you," breaking down,  van rides were always a good time, and we were able to bond so much during them.

2.  Dance Parties.  My team was composed of some of the best dancers that this world has ever seen.  Anytime that a song was on, you could bet that someone was busting a move.  Parking lots, restaurants, Walmart, everyone saw us, and we had no shame.  Why?  Because we.were.legit.

3.  Mexican Sundays.  Every single Sunday of camp, we went out for Mexican food.  Again, favorite food, favorite people.  What else does a person need?

4.  Matching.  Typically, I hate matching anyone else, but wearing the same thing as twenty other people makes you feel really connected.  Not to mention that everyday was composed of athletic shorts and a t-shirt.  Did this style put me in a horrible, never ending rut when I got back to school?  Yes.  My friends chose to name my new style "Camp-Chic."  I embrace it.

5.  Snapple Word of the Day.  For some reason, our team was obsessed with Snapple.  As a result, during every team meeting, we had a special time for the Snapple Word of the Day.  So much useless knowledge was gained.

6.  Snow Cones.  Loved making them, loved eating them. 

7.  Cuddle Puddles. Who doesn't love a good cuddle puddle?  In fact, we loved them so much that several of us chose to spend the last four weeks sleeping on a palate on the floor.  Normal.

8.  Taking Five Minute Showers.  Now, I know that this doesn't seem like a positive aspect, but it just comes with the territory.  When you don't even have time to enjoy a good shower, you know you're at camp.

9.  Running Through Walmart.  Walmart trips were a glorified scavenger hunt.  Budgeting, secret encourager gifts, necessities.  Get it all and get it quick.

10.  Skycroft.  I think I speak for my whole team when I say that when I think of camp 2010, I think of Skycroft Conference Center.  It was home.  The Lord did AMAZING things there.  I met many of my best friends there.  Skycroft holds a special place in my heart and will do so forever.  Skunk hunting can be included in this category.  Favorite pastime, especially at 2 am after I had talked myself awake during the night.

11.  Watermelon.  My team fancied the watermelon over all other fruits.  We had it almost daily.  

12.  Signing Autographs.  Makes you feel like a celebrity, even if only for a minute.  I'll never forget one kid in my Bible Study who came up to me literally weeping because he had to leave.  I remember my camp counselors from when I was a kid.  It's so weird to think that some kid remembers me in that same way.

13.  Silly Bands.  I worked camp during the era of the silly band.  As a result, I received fifty over the summer.  I wore them until probably March to remind me of what God did and continues to do.

14.  Secret Encouraging.  Each person on our team had a secret encourager who was supposed to surprise them with gifts, mail, notes, etc.  This was awesome because our team was full of baller gift givers.  People cried.  It was amazing.

15.  Sour Patch Kids.  Just another one of team's vices.  

16.  Rec Crew.  We had to get up about 30 minutes earlier than everyone else and set up rec everyday.  Although it was often a pain, we had a lot of fun together.

On to the serious stuff.

17.  Schedule.  Every minute of camp is scheduled.  Real life just isn't like that.  Now, while I do enjoy the freedom, there's just something about a schedule life that leads to peace.

18.  Worship.  Worshiping God when you are absolutely exhausted is one of the most incredible feelings in the world.  Giving everything you have allows the Father to provide.  The rest one experiences from giving all to the Lord is surreal. 

19.  Kids.  The kids that come to camp are there for a reason.  They come to experience the Lord, but they also come to teach the staff.  I learned so much from the kids who would share their lives with me.  I know that I poured into them, but I'm also certain and thankful that they were able to pour into me.

20.  Discipleship.  My team wasn't only full of best friends, but it was also full of disciplers.  We all taught and were taught throughout the summer.  Whether being lifted up in prayer, rebuked for wrong attitudes, or encouraged to keep pushing, those people were the definition of what it means to disciple.  

21.  Validation.  The adults that come to came serve such an awesome purpose.  They are so good at building up the staff and taking care of us just like a family.  Hearing their thankfulness that we loved their kids gave me the support that I needed to keep going.  Adult leaders were so good to our team.  We couldn't have done it without them.

22.  Accomplishment.  All summer, I knew that I was where God wanted me, and I knew that I was diligently working for His kingdom.  Although I am still trying that, it isn't as a clear now.  God used me to impact the lives of these kids in ways that they will never forget.  That's what I miss more than anything.

23.  Team.  I can't say enough how amazing my team was.  I'd do anything for any one of them, and I know that they feel the same.  Those twenty people will always be my family.  I think of them everyday and am constantly reminded of the lessons that I learned from them.  Never have I ever met people like them.  

One conversation that I remember from camp concluded with the idea that camp was the closest that a human can get to being in Heaven.  I think that is the most accurate description that can be given.  I could go on for hours about the things that I miss from camp, but I think I'll leave it for now.  

I pray daily for all of you who are working camp right now, and I know that you'll feel all of this as soon as August hits.  Woof.

  

Dead Sea and Wadi Mujib

Yesterday was without a doubt one of the top five best days of my life.

We headed out in the morning on our way to the Dead Sea.  It's the lowest point on the Earth, and the water is about ten times saltier than what's in the ocean.  There are some hotels and beaches, but there are no boats allowed on the sea, so the water is so peaceful.  I have never seen anything like it.  The drive through the valleys of Jordan was beautiful in itself.  I could have stopped right there.

After passing the road that leads into Palestine - it's closed off currently because Jordan refuses to recognize it - we made it to the Dead Sea.  Now, I knew that it was going to be big, but I couldn't have imagined this.  It's absolutely massive.



We parked the car and headed down to the sea.  Again, could have stopped here.  The hike through the rocks and along a little inlet was enough for me.  We made it down to the coast, white from all the salt buildup, and started to get in the water.  You have to be really careful getting in - see the face I'm making when I'm getting in the water.  The water is so salty, I can't even imagine what it would feel like in my eyes.  Instantly, the differences between this body of water and others present themselves.  First of all, you are literally floating on top of the water.  No lifeguard needed because it would be nearly impossible to drown.  The salt causes buoyancy, so you can sit back, float, stand up, run, jump, (sort of) swim, without getting your head wet.  Secondly, if you take a look at your hand under the water, it looks just like you are swimming in a vat of oil.  It was crazy, a surreal experience.


We got out of the water, and yet another difference.  Your skin doesn't know what to do without all the moisture that's been sucked out, so your it's soon as dry as it's ever been.  That sticky feeling that comes from the ocean is definitely there but multiplied by ten.  We hiked up to a waterfall to wash off before heading on for the rest of the day.  Could have stopped, but the day only got better.

Next, we headed to Wadi Mujib.  Basically, it's a huge canyon with a river through it.  We hiked up the river, which included rapids and huge rock formations that required us to use ropes to climb up rock faces and waterfalls.  The river also included leeches, which nibbled at your ankles the entire time.  Wadi Mujib was definitely one of the coolest things that I have ever done.  The sheer beauty of it all was astounding.  At the end of the wadi, there were three huge waterfalls.  On the way back, there are many parts of the river that are deep enough to float down, and there are several points where sliding down waterfalls is the only way to get back.  I was floating down the last part of the wadi and noticed a Jordanian sitting in the river.  As I passed by, he pulled my leg over to him and held me baby-style.  All I could hear was him asking, "Masaji?"  Over and over.  Embracing the culture, I obliged and settled in for my massage.  Couldn't ever come by that in the U.S.  In typical Arab fashion, he offered me a cigarette, which I declined, and then sent me on my way.  Nice to meet you, too, sir.  Have I told you that I love this place?

A Taste of Home

Last night, I was invited into my first Middle Eastern home.

We went to church with a couple of our teachers.  Afterword, much like my fellow Baptists, the Jordanians stand around and talk before leaving the sanctuary.  Naturally, we stuck around and chatted with people in broken sentences and motions.  All of the culture books that I have read talk about how inviting these people are, and I can't count the number of times that I've been told that I will get asked to someone's home within the first week.  I never believed that it would be true though.

Being from the south, I have observed my fair share of hospitality.  Sure, people say that they would love for you to come over and visit, but they rarely, if ever mean it.  It's a simple pleasantry that people often say but never intend to follow through with, and everyone knows it, so it all works.  All that I have read says that these people are the same in intention but quite the opposite in expectation.  Translation: if they invite you over, they mean now, and you better not say no.

Back to the church.  We were standing around when my teacher looks at me and says that her mother would like for us to come over.  Awestruck at the opportunity arriving so early into the trip, I'm pretty sure that I made a fool of myself through the excitement on my face.  I said yes probably ten times and couldn't stop smiling.  My Middle Eastern dreams were coming true, and I didn't care who knew it.

So, we started out on the walk.  I don't know if you noticed, but in the last blog, I mentioned the hills of Amman a lot - think San Fransisco.  In other words, this was a long, hard walk.  After climbing several of these 90 degree hills, we made it to the house.  Entering, I noticed that there were a lot more people there than I first expected.  Everyone got up to shake hands and speak what little English they knew.  There was a grandfather, grandmother, mother, father, uncle, brothers, and even friends from next door.  Somewhere close to fifteen people in a space that Americans would seat maybe four.  As soon as I sat down, plates of apricots, peaches, cucumbers, and some sort of berries were thrown my way.  "Eat."  Was all I heard before I was picking up the fruits and indulging in their goodness.  Everyone was talking and having a great time despite the fact that it was nearing ten o'clock - American parents totally would be heading to bed, definitely not inviting guests over.  I loved the feeling of family that was so present in that house.  I, myself, felt like a member.  That feeling is hard to come by in the states, especially from total strangers.  After about an hour, the tea came out along with another plate of delicious desserts.  "Eat more," was the popular phrase of the night.  Literally everything that I read about being invited into a home was true.  Can I say that I love this place too many times?  Never.

So, with my first home visit behind me, there are some resolutions that I'd like to make before coming back to the states.  I want to be like these people.  I want to focus on relationships before business, to put the comfort of others before my own, to be inviting and welcoming no matter the time or place, to offer my home and my food to those whom I love and even to strangers.  Everyday, I find something more that I want to take home.  My visit into the Middle Eastern home was definitely one of those moments.

I live in Amman, Jordan

Jordan is incredible.

I love absolutely everything here: the heat, the people, the language, the food, the culture, everything.

After many hours of traveling and a small spell of dehydration on the plane, I was so ready to have my feet on the ground.  Upon arriving, I was picked up at the airport and taken to my apartment.  I stepped out of the car to be greeted by a lovely dead cat lying on the sidewalk.  Jordan may not have the cleanest streets, but there is definitely something to be said for the views you can get from atop its dusty hills.  Our apartment is incredible, much nicer than what I had envisioned for this summer.

Several hours later, my roommate arrived.  When he got here, we went back to the apartment to unload our stuff.

The next several days were filled with getting to know people and exploring our neighborhood.  This can be fairly difficult when you know little to nothing of the language, but we made due.  We were treated to some very nice dinners by an American family here and were able to just spend time with their family, including their two awesome kids.  We met the third student who will be studying with us, and we got a new roommate who isn't studying with us - because he has been speaking Arabic since he was born.  He's awesome, and I'm sure he will provide some much needed assistance over the next 9 weeks.  I'm super excited to spend my summer getting to know these people.

One of the things that I have come to love about this culture is the aspect of community.  Yesterday, I was sitting out under the arbor at my apartment, and two men just walked right up and started speaking to me in Arabic.  Answering what little I could, I quickly realized that they were our downstairs neighbors just coming up for a chat.  Although it wasn't any lengthy conversation, it was something that almost never happens in the states anymore.  Secondly, last night, when we were watching a movie, my Iraqi roommate asked me if I liked Pepsi.  Replying with a yes and not really expecting much else, he jumped off the couch, ran to the kitchen to grab me a cup, and poured me the last of his Pepsi while he went on and on about how much he loves the drink.  Being a male college student, I'm well aware of how rare this would be in the states, as well.  Nine times out of ten, I'm begging my roommates to share food with me, much less for them to get up and fix me a drink at their own will.

Yesterday, we visited Tel-Amman, which includes the ruins of the old city.  It was so legit to see a place with such ancient history.  The United States, being such a young country, just doesn't have the richness that can be found among the hills of Amman.

 A view of Amman from one of the hills.

Some of the ruins in Tel-Amman.

The Roman amphitheater.            

The hand and the elbow of the state of Hercules.

I start Arabic classes in just a few hours.  I'm nervous but also really excited to start learning this language.  I've picked up several words already.  For instance, if you need me to direct a taxi for you, I've got you covered.  What I don't have covered are food words.  I have eaten some of the most delicious food of my life, but I honestly can't tell you the name of one thing that I have had, nor can I go to a restaurant and order it.

Needless to say, this has already been an incredible trip.  Every time that I walk through the city, I have to remind myself that I'm living in the Middle East.  Six months ago, I never would have imagined that I'd be here.

I live in Amman, Jordan.  Woah, still sounds crazy.

Pre-Jordan Thoughts

Jordan is finally here.

I can't believe how quickly this semester went by and what a whirlwind it was.  I feel like so much happened, and yet I can't put my finger on any one point or one lesson.  Still unpacking it all.

In other news,  I am currently sitting in Washington, D.C. awaiting my plane to Vienna.  

I'm feeling super anxious, super nervous, super insecure about my trip.  Also, super excited and ready to begin this journey.

I know that it is going to be a huge learning and growing experience.  After what happened last summer, I am completely aware of how much a person can change in just two short months.  While I am eagerly anticipating that growth, I am also fully aware of how scary that can be and of the repercussions that can last for months to come.

When all of the study abroad students at Union were preparing for our trips this semester, they asked us to write out goals and keep them with us to remind of us of just why we are doing this.  They said this will make it easier when the homesickness and the culture shock hit for the first time.  I feel that it's only appropriate to write them here.

Motivations:

First, I'm doing this because of the cultural awareness that I lack.  I've been exposed to very few cultures, and I feel that it is vital to learn about other people and their way of life. 

Second, I'm doing this because of the career benefits.  This experience will beef up my resume like no other.  Furthermore, it will help to decide if international diplomacy is really the way that I want to go in the future.

Third, I'm doing this to learn Arabic.  I think it's an extremely unique language that has so much relevance in today's international sphere.  This goal is indelibly tied to number 2.

Fourth, I'm doing this in order to grow, to become an adult, and to learn to live and to live well.

Goals:

First, I want to do a lot of soul-searching through this trip.  This semester has been full of it, but I feel that being removed from everything that I know and love will enable me to really discover who I have become and to further unpack those things that I have learned this year.  This goal includes a fierce revitalization of my relationship with Christ.

Second, I want to be able to converse in Arabic.  Note that I said converse.  Do I expect to be fluent?  NO.  Do I expect to be functional?  Yes.

Third, I want to learn to love people without expectation.  I've come to a place where I have a hard time loving when people aren't what I expect or what I desire.  I need to learn to push past this and to love from my own heart.

Fourth, I want to rid myself of a couple of new staffs that I've picked up along the way.

Those are just a few of the things that I'm looking forward to on this trip, and I'm certain that more are to come.

I plan to update this blog pretty regularly, but I honestly don't know a lot about my schedule or how things will be when I get over there.

Although you can't send me mail in Jordan, you can definitely keep up with me here, and I would love for my inbox to be full of your emails.  Send them to kirby.lewis13@gmail.com.

The next time you hear from me, I'll be across the Atlantic.  Crazy.life.

The Country Music Marathon

Ok, ok, I'll come right out and say it.  I ran the Country Music (Half) Marathon!

I have been training for it for some time, but there is literally nothing that could have prepared me for that day.

Let me start at Friday.  I got up, did some homework, went to class, and then packed my bags to head to Nashville with two of my roommates - one who was also running the half and the other who was gracious enough to come and cheer us on.  We traveled to Nashville and went to the convention center to pick up our bibs and gear.  I have never, ever seen so many people in Nashville.  It was crazy.  We stood in line for probably 30-40 minutes and finally made it to the desk where we got our bibs and t-shirts.  Then, we headed to the expo where there were hundreds of booths set up selling all kinds of running gear and health food.  Naturally, we had to try everything.  Marathon bars, power jelly beans, gummy energy snacks, shots of tomato juice and muscle milk.  Almost everything I put in my mouth was disgusting, but, hey, a runner's gotta do what a runner's gotta do.  I separated from my compadres and headed to my sister's house.  She took me out for pasta (naturally), and then I went home and went to bed.

Saturday, I got up at 4 am, and I scrounged around my sister's house in the dark for some breakfast food.  I wound up with a piece of bread and four strawberries.  I wasn't sure if this would hold me over, but it was all I had.  I headed down to LP Field to park my car and boarded a shuttle headed for Centennial Park.  The range of emotions on that shuttle was incredible.  It ranged from intense focus to anxiety to exhaustion.  When we got to the park, we were shepherded through all of these stations that were handing out free bagels, bananas, water, and other energy drinks - luckily, my food problem was no solved.  Then, I had an hour before the race to scope out the competition, which really meant an hour to watch people.

Finally, I started stretching and then walked down closer to the corrals where I found my roommate - a shocking feat due to the sheer mass of people that was there.  After some talking, we headed to our corrals and got ready for the race to begin.  It was amazing to look back and see all of West End COVERED, I mean COVERED in people.  There were 30,000 participants and probably an equal, if not greater, amount of spectators.

At 7 am, the race began.  I was in about the 8th corral, so I started at around 7:10, and as I crossed the race line, I felt so great.  It was incredible to be so in tune with everyone else who was running and to just feel the excitement of everyone cheering for you.  The first six or so miles went like clockwork.  The best part to me, was finding people to pace myself with.  Call it weird, but I developed some psychological connections with these people, and I now act like we were friends after that good 30 minutes that we were running together.  The sad part, I'll probably never see them again.  Sad.  Also, along the entirety of the course were people cheering for you with signs or water or fruit.  Another favorite part were the kids who would hold out their hands in anticipation of a high-five.

1 hour 55 minutes and 33 seconds later, I crossed the finish line.  It was an amazing feeling to accomplish something that I had been thinking about since last November or before.  Needless to say, running the Country Music Half Marathon was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.  I wanted to do something that was just for me.  Something that I could be proud of on my own, and I did it.  I look at my medal, and I think about the hard work that I did, and I'm proud that I can say how much it means to me.

Was it difficult?  Yes.  Did I have to work for it?  Yes.  Am I in more muscle pain right now than I have ever been in before in my life?  Yes.

Was it worth it?  Absolutely.

Maybe you aren't into running, maybe you aren't into physical activity at all.  Point is, set your heart on something and go for it.  Do something just for you, something that you can be proud of and that you can take full responsibility for.  Sometimes, it's just what you need.

Next year, I'm setting my eyes on the full.  Let's go.

Seasons of Life

All things come in cycles.  Especially the seasons.

First, you have winter.  It's cold and dreary.  You're probably sick at some point even though you got the flu shot and have been eating vitamin C like candy.  Every once and again, you get a good snow day, which a lot of people love - but I hate (hate the snow, love the snow day).  Of course there's the joy of Christmas and all that jazz to brighten this least favorite of the seasons.

Second is spring.  The snow starts to melt and out comes the pollen.  I'm literally allergic to everything, so I'm, once again, sick, but thank God that the sun is out.  You sit outside in your lawn chair (hammock) and soak up all of those rays, probably resulting in a good old sunburn.  It's the best.

Third, we have summer.  Glorious, summer.  No school, no work.  Internships, travel, etc. fill the docket of this wonderful month.  This time around, I'll be headed to the other side of the world to see what they think about this season.  I'll get back to your with those details.

Finally, we have fall, or, as some of you more erudite readers may like to call it, autumn.  The leaves start to change, you pull back out those long sleeve shirts and the like, and there are bonfires. I'm, again, sick because of all the vegetation changes.

What have we learned?

I'm sick literally all the time.

No, what I wanted to provide there was the image that, like the seasons, all things change.  I'll say it again, my life has changed drastically over the past year.  When I started out on this journey though, I had a picture in my head of just what these changes would look like.

Funny thing is, nothing changes in quite the way you think it's going to.  It's so funny how we say, "Oh, I'll do this and then everything will fall into place," or "I'll just make this tiny change, but everything else will remain the same." No. No. No.  Not how it works.  Ever.

In my life, I changed one major thing, and it was like a domino effect.  I have experienced changes in my personality, my desires, my thought-processes, my attitudes, my political affiliations, my ideas about social constructs...literally everything.

A lot of the time, these changes excite me.  Currently though, they overwhelm me.  It's obviously a struggle with contentment, but when everything is changing, can a person be content?

Maybe you've made some changes lately, maybe you are thinking about making some.  Maybe those changes are going your way, maybe they are not.  Either way, it's important to remember that all things come in cycles.

Keep trudging through the snow because, eventually, spring is coming.