7/2-7/4 Traveling - We started off at the Globe at CBU and then left for LAX. Leaving at the Globe last year was very special for me as a lot of friends and family came to see me off, but this year was more intimate. It's amazing to have numerous people talking to the Father about your trip and laying their hands on you. If you want a feeling of the Spirit on you then that's it right there for me.
On the way to the airport we talked about how each of us had changed over the past year and what we expected to see on the trip in addition to watching Nyan Cat in a toaster and me singing the national anthem.
At the airport, Aaron licked his gummy bears and offered them to Sarah. The plane took off on time and we got to the airport in the capital of EGP after 13 hours or so. It was an uneventful flight of semi-sleeping, reading, talking to the Father (well that's never uneventful) and hanging out. We all were getting ready and preparation seemed to be going well. We got to the airport, went through customs and went to our second plane of the day to increase our travel time to 16 hours total. Again, not too bad. However, our spirits jumped when we got off the plane as the city we arrived in was not hot like it was last year and we saw our Friends from last year, Sam and Stacy. The elation from seeing those two was immense for all of us. We then took a 90 minute bus ride to the same place we went last year and went for a walk on the town. It wasn't as hot as it was last year, which was glo-ri-ous. I was goofy and wore my shower shoes and we played on some of the gym equipment that was randomly in front of a bridge. It's pretty sweet. You'll notice we lose a day there. Apparently, we dislike July 3rd. I think we only experienced 1 hour of it. Oh well right?
7/5 Preparation - It's always a blast to enjoy fellowship with the team. This was something that allowed us to get focused. We got a presentation from other Friends that talked to us about the people we were meeting and some things that we could say or be specific with. I loved singing songs to the Father with our team and Friends. It was beautiful and a bonding experience. We were able to prepare for the next day as it was the start of our 3 day training. Mike and I were slated to lead us off, which is something I was pretty excited about. After getting dinner we talked about how we wanted to be more intentional with our conversations and have the opportunity to spend time with the trainees. You never know what you have in store.
7/6 The First 1st Day - Let me tell you, there couldn't have been a better start or a better first day. We started off strong by separating our students into groups. Daniel and I were a team while Chad and Sarah, Nicole and Stephanie, Aaron and Rose, and Mike and Kim were the other teams. I'm going to reveal something that I haven't yet revealed to the team. I placed my team near the air conditioning unit. I apologize, hahaha. Okay, in all honesty it was wonderful to get to know the people in my group immediately as I felt an immediate connection with them. We were all able to deliver some significant teaching strategies to our trainees and were also able to make personal connections with them. As we discussed spending the time with the trainees we invited them to go for dessert by meeting us at our hotel lobby that night. We didn't know what we were in store for.
We had about ten students show up to go out to dessert with us that night. While being intentional and asking leading questions I was asked a question that seemed to follow me on this trip. "Nick, are you single?" No, not questions about my faith or how old I was, but if I was single. Well, this was interesting because I had made a promise to the Father that I would remain single and focus only on Him while we were prepping for the trip. Last year I didn't do that and I feel it took my focus away. I explained this to the trainees and was able to share A LOT about my back story and my relationship with my Father. What was interesting was that it seemed like we all got to do that in one way or another. It's exhilarating sharing about something I'm so passionate about so I wish I could express that to you in blog form. As the night drew to a close we took pictures and generally enjoyed each other's company. When you instantly connect with people you don't want to leave them, but we knew it was time. I only wish we could've stayed a little longer.
7/7 Pardon the Interruption - Indeed after coming off a high and knowing that we were going to get to spend the next two days with our trainees. Thus able to have more conversations with our students. Well after lunch during the last session of the day it seemed that the Father had different plans for us. We were informed through midway through the final session that the second day was going to be our last day. It was like being punched in the gut. It was also interesting because we had signed all of the certificates for our students that lunch, discussed who our top students would be, and discussed what we were doing that night. It was perfect actually. It was just sad that we only had one night left with them as some of the connections were so big. We informed the trainees that it would be the last day and the energy left, but we also gave our awards, gifts, and certificates. I gave my trainees a CD of some of my favorite songs which were by Switchfoot, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, The Almost, Hawk Nelson, and Sanctus Real. That night we knew we had to be purposeful and again planned to meet in our lobby.
Unfortunately it was raining outside pretty hard. We were sitting around the lobby just hanging out when we started to sing some songs. Chad brought out his iPad and had an interesting conversation with a few trainees that I'll let him share on his own blog. I felt prompted to put on a song to our Father called Divine Romance by Phil Wickham. All of the Americans started singing the song and we sang other songs to the Father after that. It was beautiful and magical and was a metaphor for our trip as those songs seemed to calm us down from tense situations. We went out again and had many great conversations with our trainees. I was able to have a very encouraging conversation with Daniel (our leader Stephanie's husband) that really motivated me for the rest of the trip. We hung out at our hotel and some received a Gift (capitalized for a reason) while some of trainees gave their American teachers their own gifts. It was a special and beautiful night that could only be captured by being there. It was very sad to see them go and as we went up to our rooms I realized that I wasn't going to be able to go to bed immediately. Mike, my roommate, had gone our Friend's house for an interview he had the next morning and I immediately fell into praise. It's amazing to be alone and giving all thanks to the One who created you. I was filled with emotion while talking with Him and He immediately calmed me down by letting me know it was time for us to move.
Until next time...
We had about ten students show up to go out to dessert with us that night. While being intentional and asking leading questions I was asked a question that seemed to follow me on this trip. "Nick, are you single?" No, not questions about my faith or how old I was, but if I was single. Well, this was interesting because I had made a promise to the Father that I would remain single and focus only on Him while we were prepping for the trip. Last year I didn't do that and I feel it took my focus away. I explained this to the trainees and was able to share A LOT about my back story and my relationship with my Father. What was interesting was that it seemed like we all got to do that in one way or another. It's exhilarating sharing about something I'm so passionate about so I wish I could express that to you in blog form. As the night drew to a close we took pictures and generally enjoyed each other's company. When you instantly connect with people you don't want to leave them, but we knew it was time. I only wish we could've stayed a little longer.
7/7 Pardon the Interruption - Indeed after coming off a high and knowing that we were going to get to spend the next two days with our trainees. Thus able to have more conversations with our students. Well after lunch during the last session of the day it seemed that the Father had different plans for us. We were informed through midway through the final session that the second day was going to be our last day. It was like being punched in the gut. It was also interesting because we had signed all of the certificates for our students that lunch, discussed who our top students would be, and discussed what we were doing that night. It was perfect actually. It was just sad that we only had one night left with them as some of the connections were so big. We informed the trainees that it would be the last day and the energy left, but we also gave our awards, gifts, and certificates. I gave my trainees a CD of some of my favorite songs which were by Switchfoot, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, The Almost, Hawk Nelson, and Sanctus Real. That night we knew we had to be purposeful and again planned to meet in our lobby.
Unfortunately it was raining outside pretty hard. We were sitting around the lobby just hanging out when we started to sing some songs. Chad brought out his iPad and had an interesting conversation with a few trainees that I'll let him share on his own blog. I felt prompted to put on a song to our Father called Divine Romance by Phil Wickham. All of the Americans started singing the song and we sang other songs to the Father after that. It was beautiful and magical and was a metaphor for our trip as those songs seemed to calm us down from tense situations. We went out again and had many great conversations with our trainees. I was able to have a very encouraging conversation with Daniel (our leader Stephanie's husband) that really motivated me for the rest of the trip. We hung out at our hotel and some received a Gift (capitalized for a reason) while some of trainees gave their American teachers their own gifts. It was a special and beautiful night that could only be captured by being there. It was very sad to see them go and as we went up to our rooms I realized that I wasn't going to be able to go to bed immediately. Mike, my roommate, had gone our Friend's house for an interview he had the next morning and I immediately fell into praise. It's amazing to be alone and giving all thanks to the One who created you. I was filled with emotion while talking with Him and He immediately calmed me down by letting me know it was time for us to move.
Until next time...
