“Who doesn’t want to go to summer camp every year?”

by Susanne Jordan

I have been on the DRMT trip many, many times. This summer, I was convicted that I wanted to go for two weeks! God just kept putting this idea in my head and on my heart, and we all know that you can’t say “No” to God. So I surrendered to God’s plan for me this summer - with a little anxiety, I must admit - and told John, “I’m in for two weeks!” Many thanks to the Powers family and Cindy Rusate for looking out for me that first week, as I was traveling solo; my family would join me for Week 2.

In the days leading up to the trip, I spent a lot of time thinking about why I was drawn to spending two weeks on the mission field during the hottest part of the year! And the thought that kept coming back to me was, “who doesn’t want to go to summer camp every year?” The mission trip feels like summer camp to me - an adventure to look forward to every July, doing my favorite things with my favorite people, spending long, busy days doing impactful work, always with a new twist, and  building relationships that will last a lifetime. Now who doesn’t want to spend part of their summer doing these things?!

The extra bonus this year - not just having Blondie Cake five times over two weeks, although that was definitely right up there - was that my girls surprised us and joined us for Week 2. It was a joy and a blessing to be able to serve together as a family and to see my girls relive their “past summer camp experiences” but this time as adults.

Watching their experiences, serving alongside my husband Jay decked out in his bandana du jour, catching up with friends of all colors and backgrounds and forging new relationships while trying to change the world one small step at a time - that’s the essence of this trip for me. The “Goodness of God” was on full display; maybe this time it felt a bit more like what Heaven will be like and not just summer camp?! Will you join me on this wild, crazy, fun, impactful adventure next summer . . .