Donovan’s Diaries
Ugh, you again? Do you seriously want to know more? Fine. Nearing the end of week 7, a lot has happened, the dorm has found our complimentary European, we had our first mission trip, we literally 15 minutes ago got off a roof, had a massive bonfire, and switched vocations. Do you really want details? I will tell you only because you are growing on me and I like talking. So the European is not staying; sadly, he will have to leave soon, Jesse has been lots of fun to hang around with and his big welcome to America was a large bonfire (Adult supervised if Nolan counts as an adult) in a confined area.
Our mission trip was more of a week-long stay, we went to Circle K camp where we gutted an old cabin, rebuilt a bridge, and cut some trees down. We ripped out so much insulation and plywood I felt like we were swimming in it. However, we chose to swim in the lake instead. The camp is maybe 25 minutes away from CMTS and is a place where I have spent many years. It was odd being back with a different group and a different perspective, but think it was a good way to boost me into the new year. I more or less grew up at the camp, as PGCC uses the camp for youth retreats and summer events. So you can imagine how it could induce emotion to be at a place you called home with friends you are still getting to know. God had other plans for me and my thoughts so He put it on my mind that week to really dive into scripture, So that is what I did with more than most of my free time at camp. Even now that we have been back this week, I have been really studying scripture.
Small Bible Study
After reading in the typical places to read (Romans, Proverbs, Psalms) I found that for some reason, Galatians has been really sticking out in my mind. So I open up my Bible and 6 verses in, I find something very relevant to the current time.
Galatians 1:6-8 “ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different Gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you let them be under God’s curse!”.
Firstly, it is clear people have never been so quick to walk away from the faith. They read one thing they are not comfortable with and just choose death. Also, shocker that the Bible was right, false prophets are huge right now in bigger churches of every denomination. The Bible was given to us as God’s instructions for us, a way of life. People are so quick to throw it away and get their own bible that just says whatever they want to hear.
Ahem, excuse me I went on a “small” rant there. Stop distracting me, I blame you. Where was I? Oh yes right, So yeah we were on a roof. The roof project is currently underway, we have been working hard since Monday morning and stayed extra late tonight (Friday) as the weather calls for heavy rain tonight. I will not tell you exactly how late we were on the roof, however, I will say that we definitely needed lots of lights. I have been called a gopher throughout this project, Caleb says it’s because I’m always going for something. Get it. Go for, Gopher. Yeah, he is not super funny, but we love him. I have done everything from driving dump trucks (which decided to not work) to scaling a roof with my fellow comrades. Everyone has been working extremely hard, the grounds crew has done an amazing job at being quick and effective.
The roofing crew has been fast and efficient. I would personally like to thank the hospitality crew of CMTS. They have not only lost the Equip students cleaning and Flip Side Crew services the last 2 weeks, but Hospitality has also been giving out drinks and snacks to everyone working while also making lunch and dinners for us. Hannah, Danielle, Sandra, etc. have done an amazing job while also being patient and kind with us. We would not be able to do this without the services you have provided. They have all shown Faith, Flexibility, and Work ethic from Christ which I envy. I hope to someday be able to say I have had the same impact on others they have had this week alone. I truly see them as unsung heroes in this project, Hannah as a weird older sister, Danielle as a “proud momma hen” ( she said it, not me) and Sandra in her first week of living here has been effective at making friends and working harder than was asked of her.
The volunteer effort has also been phenomenal. Every day, I see new people choosing to spend their time with us working rather than being elsewhere. All of this wraps up into one big praise: God is Good. He has given us more than we can imagine to exceed expectations, none of us alone or together without Christ could come together and make this work. God put us together, made us willing, and then gave us the commands. I have been so excited and encouraged to be a part of this mission. There is never a moment where Christ is not the center of what we are doing, and that is how we manage to stay effective. God is our answer and He works for every single question. It is not like choosing option A every time and assuming it is right. We truly know and believe God has given us the time, resources, and efforts to make His will be done. It is so incredibly clear God is working and living here with us. God wants a relationship with us, He wants to dwell with us, He wants us to be His people, and He wants to be our God. Yet we have free will to choose because He is good. Thank you, roofing crew, thank you to the ground crew, thank you to the hospitality crew. Thank you, volunteers, thank you CMTS, and thank you Lord for another month at CMTS. Time is going fast, I will be back here writing next month’s newsletter before you know it.
See you soon,
Donovan Allen James Checket
