Some things I’ve been up to….

I’ve been very neglectant of my blog as of late, but my New Year’s Resolution is to change that. I’m going to be changing my personal schedule up a bit to be more accountable to things in life that are important to me.

So what have I been up to?

Well it’s been an exciting couple of months. I’ve gotten to meet some wonderful students from all over the globe. I saw the ‘last boy on campus that I expected to become a Christian’ become one! I’ve had my fill of cafeteria food. I’ve learned the joys and difficulties of being around your wife and kids basically 24 hours a day. I’ve had the opportunity to speak the Word of God to young people who know nothing of it- and have found it challenging. I’ve figured out what some of my passions are, and what they are not. I’ve rediscovered some of my strengths, and have had my weaknesses redefined. I’ve learned to trust more in an Almighty-Everliving-God. I’ve driven to Eugene, Medford, and Portland a few more times than I would have liked to drop kids off at the airport. I’ve had to say goodbye to some students who made horrible choices in life. I’ve found the most respectful-delightful-polite-loving teenage boy that I have ever met- and he is a Muslim. I’ve learned to rely on the hospitallity and generosity of others. I have grown to love my close friends and family more than ever before. Etc….Etc….Etc…

One thing that has surprised me more than anything is my love of the Church. Here at CCA I attend church every week on Sunday when I am working, but it’s not really attending church, it’s supervising young people who because of their non-existant relationship with Christ- can be quite disrespectful during church. I have learned how powerful it is to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with a group of Believers and how meaningful it is to absorb the Word of God with your brothers and sisters in Christ. I have learned how much it means to have fellow followers of Christ around you to constantly encourage you, hold you accountable, and study the Bible with you.

I came here over 4 months ago with my desire and focus on changing the lives of young people from every corner of the globe-and I think I have- but I belive now that God brought my family and I here for ‘us’. I know that sounds very selfish and it’s normally something that I would not say, but I honestly believe it with all my heart because here we are being tested, refined, and challenged in ways we never have been before. This is a spiritual and mental training ground for the next stage in our life….a transitioning place and time….and I’m excited, and scared to see what’s next.

Grace and Peace,

Anthony Trask