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What made UW unique? Well, for more than half of the people on Maranatha’s mission trip for teens from all over the place, this was their very first “Ultimate Workout.” Designed to promote spiritually transforming experiences, this mission trip takes teens out of their comfort zones. We learn to depend on each other and on God. We rely on miracles that somehow seem more obvious than they are back home. We get a taste of what God wants on earth, which makes us want heaven even more.
About 150 of us arrived in Iquique, Chile and then divided into four groups. Each group built a church, although one of the groups did their “building” through a whole bunch of outreach activities with no construction project. Each group’s experience proved to be unique, but bonding within the group seemed to be a common and consistent theme. Being south of the equator put us in the middle of winter during this July mission trip. Many experienced the coldest July they can remember.
Seven countries had representation, including the United States, Canada, Peru, Puero Rico, the Bahamas, Ecuador, and even the Netherlands. While the majority came from the United States, we had a variety of states on board, from as far west as Hawaii, and as far east as Maine, Connecticut and New York. The farthest state north was Minnesota, and you could go as far south as Florida and Texas (and Hawaii once again). The heartland of America showed up, with Iowa and Oklahoma. And, as usual, California, Washington and Oregon sent quite a few people. We certainly have reason to be thankful for the internet to keep us in contact when UW 18 participants were truly from “all over the place”!
But neither geography nor age adequately describe UW 18. A sense of spiritual anticipation, a coming together, accomplishing something for the kingdom of God, energized to make a difference back home, new friendships from bonding experiences, joy, challenges faced, leadership developed, worship experienced, and plenty of surprises—these are the headlines from UW 18.
With the cost for air fare approximately $1,000 higher for most North Americans than previous years, somehow people were still able to raise enough money to participate. That was a miracle in itself. We expect the overall cost to be much less for UW 19 since we'll be in Mexico, which is much closer for North americans (about $1,000 less for air fare).
Will you be part of UW 19 to Mexico? Perhaps the more important question is “How are you different now compared to the start of UW 18”? That’s where things really count! As Paul told the believers in a city where he had built a church, “We urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1, NLT)
- Steve Case
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