This trip is an opportunity to not just talk about trusting God but experience how that works out day to day. This begins with raising the money to take the trip, blending with team members God has brought together, the adventure of riding trains, finding lodging and food, spending hours at a concentration camp, seeing European cities and mountains, and talking to those you meet about their worldview and its affect on how they live and die. You have the chance to share your testimony and then follow up those contacts in the months ahead by email, facebook, or sending something promised. You hopefully will challenge others to think and this trip will effect your faith with out of the ordinary happenings.
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By talking to people through surveys, it really opened my eyes to how many lost people are out there. As nice and fun as they may be, these people will spend eternity in hell. This also applies to many of my friends at home. I think also by surveying, it has given me confidence to share my faith with others more diligently and to do my part in fulfilling the Great Commission.
By reading Crazy Love, I was convicted at my own selfish-lukewarm living. I can NOT blend into the world – God detests it. I have to be radical and be set apart from the “norm”. Life is not about how much money you make, but how much you do for others – to give to others – to love others. I want a crazy love relationship with my Savior.
Thank you so much for investing into our lives. May God bless you, Diane, your ministry, and Rigby. High school student
This trip has taught me things that are unexplainable. When it comes to my relationship with God it has taught me I need to be much less dependent on others. It has taught me to make my faith my own. God is very strong. I did not know until this trip how much control God really does have over how things work out. When it comes to myself the trip has taught me to have more confidence in myself. The standards other people set for me are not reasonable and I need to stop living for them and live for God. This trip has also taught me that weakness is okay and it’s okay to be upset. God’s creation is wonderful. It has taught me to be appreciative and so much more. Some things can not be explained in words. High school student
What this trip taught me: this trip as full of irreplaceable memories – like growing closer to God and my team. God taught me that it’s okay not to know and just rely on Him. He also taught me that it is okay to trust people. I learned a lot about myself and was stretched in my faith and comfortability. Although sometimes uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was well worth it and unforgettable. High school student
This trip has been a great experience for me. Even before this trip I was taught a great lesson in trusting God as I received every penny of the needed funds for m trip! It really taught me not to take everything into my own hands. The trip itself really convicted me about how much I should be witnessing back home. Overall the trip was a fantastic learning experience as I was forced to step out of my box and serve Christ. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone thinking about going on it. High school student
I have definitely learned a lot from this trip. I was constantly reminded how God works in the little details of our lives. Everything that happened each day, God knew about it way before I did. He has everything under control, even if I don’t. I always thought that is was great that God could move mountains, but I didn’t realize how impressive it was until I had to climb one, so I was reminded of how great God really is.
I learned a lot about myself as well. I guess I’m pretty naïve about the rest of the world. I kinda have my little bubble and I stay there, but I don’t want to anymore. I want to not be so concentrated on me and to concentrate instead on other’s needs. I also learned that talking to people isn’t as scary as I thought. I’m normally terrified about speaking to strangers, now, I think I have a bit more confidence around people. I’m so grateful for this trip and our wonderful leaders. If I could give next year’s team some advice, it would be to remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” High school student
This trip has taught me many things from going to the concentration camp ( we went to Mauthhausen in Austria ) and seeing what all they went through teaches you not to take things for granted. And it has taught me that the littlest things can change someone’s whole life. Never give up on people. Because silence doesn’t mean they don’t want to talk or have anything to do with you. Other things could just be going on at the time. Also, you really cannot do it on your own no matter how strong you think you are, if you are striving and striving to fill an empty spot in your life, you first need to fill that spot with God then you will have true happiness. Whether life goes the way you plan or not you just need to trust the Lord that He has a plan. High school student
I think that years from now when I look back on my life, this trip will be a pivot point. This trip has helped me realize that the way I’m living is not how someone who is crazy in love with God lives. It has convicted but encouraged me. It has made me excited to talk to and serve God. I can’t wait to go home and tell my parents how this trip has changed me and what God is, and will continue to do in my life.
I knew this trip would help me to grow spiritually, but it has had a far greater impact than I could have imagined. It has also stretched me and helped me to step out of my comfort zone. I usually hate talking to strangers, but I realized that some of the best conversations you have are with strangers. And sometimes the small things make a huge impact. I’ve seen how God puts people in our path that we can relate to and He doe answer prayers big and small.
This trip will hopefully have a positive effect on the rest of my life. I want to go home and start a new chapter of my life that isn’t characterized by a lukewarm heart but a heart longing endlessly for God. And I hope that maybe I had an effect on someone’s life in Europe. Even if just one soul is changed or challenged by my words, then it was all worth it. And , in my opinion, if I had no impact on anyone, but my relationship with God was long-term changed for the better, then this whole trip was worth it.
It is a unique form of missions work, but I highly recommend it. I know I needed this trip and I think there is a lot to get out of it. High school student
“Bread, Backpacks and the Bible”: I loved the food in Europe. One of my favorite things was sitting in a circle eating lunch. Trying different breads and cheeses. Especially the rolls in Luzern and the cheese in Brugge. Wonderful stuff!
On a backpacking trip you get t travel! And my favorite place was Switzerland. The landscape took my breath away. I love water, drinking it and being in it. Swiss water is the most refreshing thing I have ever tasted. I loved the beautiful mountains and just the peaceful beauty of it all.
God knew I needed to go on this trip. I have been lost for a long time. While sitting in Venice staring at the gondola filled water I was reminded that God loves people. He loves every single person. And I need to as well. I want to help people. Especially women. I met a beautiful woman named Brigitta and got to see my uncle be a huge part of her life simply by showing her love. God has given me a lot of love and as much as I want to stay in my comfort zone and build my American Dream I can’t. I can’t live a happy safe life surrounded by my possessions, but being poor. I want to be rich and take up my cross and follow Jesus. To be rich in God’s kingdom for me is to be poor on this earth. I talked to a good amount of people and not man of them seemed to know why they are here or what will happen when they die. I do know. And it would be selfish of me to keep it to myself. God showed me that I have a servant’s heart and He can and will use it for His glory. I wasn’t always comfortable on this trip and God didn’t always let me get my way, but, this trip made me realize how blessed and honestly spoiled I am and it is time to get out of my comfort zone and do some work to help continue the kingdom of God. College student
This trip taught me that it’s OK to not know and it’s OK to say “no”. You don’t always have to please people nor do you have to know what’s going to happen. When we don’t know, that’s when we fully rely on God to provide. It also taught me that being uncomfortable is a good thing because it pulls us out of our comfortable lifestyle and forces us to do things we normally wouldn’t do.
I am super thankful that God pulled me out of my comfort zone when He did. I met a lot of great people through this experience. College student
By reading Crazy Love, I was convicted at my own selfish-lukewarm living. I can NOT blend into the world – God detests it. I have to be radical and be set apart from the “norm”. Life is not about how much money you make, but how much you do for others – to give to others – to love others. I want a crazy love relationship with my Savior.
Thank you so much for investing into our lives. May God bless you, Diane, your ministry, and Rigby. High school student
This trip has taught me things that are unexplainable. When it comes to my relationship with God it has taught me I need to be much less dependent on others. It has taught me to make my faith my own. God is very strong. I did not know until this trip how much control God really does have over how things work out. When it comes to myself the trip has taught me to have more confidence in myself. The standards other people set for me are not reasonable and I need to stop living for them and live for God. This trip has also taught me that weakness is okay and it’s okay to be upset. God’s creation is wonderful. It has taught me to be appreciative and so much more. Some things can not be explained in words. High school student
What this trip taught me: this trip as full of irreplaceable memories – like growing closer to God and my team. God taught me that it’s okay not to know and just rely on Him. He also taught me that it is okay to trust people. I learned a lot about myself and was stretched in my faith and comfortability. Although sometimes uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was well worth it and unforgettable. High school student
This trip has been a great experience for me. Even before this trip I was taught a great lesson in trusting God as I received every penny of the needed funds for m trip! It really taught me not to take everything into my own hands. The trip itself really convicted me about how much I should be witnessing back home. Overall the trip was a fantastic learning experience as I was forced to step out of my box and serve Christ. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone thinking about going on it. High school student
I have definitely learned a lot from this trip. I was constantly reminded how God works in the little details of our lives. Everything that happened each day, God knew about it way before I did. He has everything under control, even if I don’t. I always thought that is was great that God could move mountains, but I didn’t realize how impressive it was until I had to climb one, so I was reminded of how great God really is.
I learned a lot about myself as well. I guess I’m pretty naïve about the rest of the world. I kinda have my little bubble and I stay there, but I don’t want to anymore. I want to not be so concentrated on me and to concentrate instead on other’s needs. I also learned that talking to people isn’t as scary as I thought. I’m normally terrified about speaking to strangers, now, I think I have a bit more confidence around people. I’m so grateful for this trip and our wonderful leaders. If I could give next year’s team some advice, it would be to remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” High school student
This trip has taught me many things from going to the concentration camp ( we went to Mauthhausen in Austria ) and seeing what all they went through teaches you not to take things for granted. And it has taught me that the littlest things can change someone’s whole life. Never give up on people. Because silence doesn’t mean they don’t want to talk or have anything to do with you. Other things could just be going on at the time. Also, you really cannot do it on your own no matter how strong you think you are, if you are striving and striving to fill an empty spot in your life, you first need to fill that spot with God then you will have true happiness. Whether life goes the way you plan or not you just need to trust the Lord that He has a plan. High school student
I think that years from now when I look back on my life, this trip will be a pivot point. This trip has helped me realize that the way I’m living is not how someone who is crazy in love with God lives. It has convicted but encouraged me. It has made me excited to talk to and serve God. I can’t wait to go home and tell my parents how this trip has changed me and what God is, and will continue to do in my life.
I knew this trip would help me to grow spiritually, but it has had a far greater impact than I could have imagined. It has also stretched me and helped me to step out of my comfort zone. I usually hate talking to strangers, but I realized that some of the best conversations you have are with strangers. And sometimes the small things make a huge impact. I’ve seen how God puts people in our path that we can relate to and He doe answer prayers big and small.
This trip will hopefully have a positive effect on the rest of my life. I want to go home and start a new chapter of my life that isn’t characterized by a lukewarm heart but a heart longing endlessly for God. And I hope that maybe I had an effect on someone’s life in Europe. Even if just one soul is changed or challenged by my words, then it was all worth it. And , in my opinion, if I had no impact on anyone, but my relationship with God was long-term changed for the better, then this whole trip was worth it.
It is a unique form of missions work, but I highly recommend it. I know I needed this trip and I think there is a lot to get out of it. High school student
“Bread, Backpacks and the Bible”: I loved the food in Europe. One of my favorite things was sitting in a circle eating lunch. Trying different breads and cheeses. Especially the rolls in Luzern and the cheese in Brugge. Wonderful stuff!
On a backpacking trip you get t travel! And my favorite place was Switzerland. The landscape took my breath away. I love water, drinking it and being in it. Swiss water is the most refreshing thing I have ever tasted. I loved the beautiful mountains and just the peaceful beauty of it all.
God knew I needed to go on this trip. I have been lost for a long time. While sitting in Venice staring at the gondola filled water I was reminded that God loves people. He loves every single person. And I need to as well. I want to help people. Especially women. I met a beautiful woman named Brigitta and got to see my uncle be a huge part of her life simply by showing her love. God has given me a lot of love and as much as I want to stay in my comfort zone and build my American Dream I can’t. I can’t live a happy safe life surrounded by my possessions, but being poor. I want to be rich and take up my cross and follow Jesus. To be rich in God’s kingdom for me is to be poor on this earth. I talked to a good amount of people and not man of them seemed to know why they are here or what will happen when they die. I do know. And it would be selfish of me to keep it to myself. God showed me that I have a servant’s heart and He can and will use it for His glory. I wasn’t always comfortable on this trip and God didn’t always let me get my way, but, this trip made me realize how blessed and honestly spoiled I am and it is time to get out of my comfort zone and do some work to help continue the kingdom of God. College student
This trip taught me that it’s OK to not know and it’s OK to say “no”. You don’t always have to please people nor do you have to know what’s going to happen. When we don’t know, that’s when we fully rely on God to provide. It also taught me that being uncomfortable is a good thing because it pulls us out of our comfortable lifestyle and forces us to do things we normally wouldn’t do.
I am super thankful that God pulled me out of my comfort zone when He did. I met a lot of great people through this experience. College student