So I want to blog about my amazing opportunity this summer to work at the world-famous Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. If you think that I'll be talking about my role as a cast member and all of the neat stuff that I'll be able to do while working for Disney...you're right. But I'm going to Florida for a bigger purpose than a resume booster, and that's what I really want to talk about. So yeah, we'll discuss Mickey, Space Mountain, and all of the deep, dark, behind-the-scenes Disney stuff, but that won't be all.
Let's do a little bit of background: This past year, my first year of college at USC in Los Angeles, was one of the most life-changing years of my life (granted, I've only been around for 18). I have always been raised in a Christian family, which I'm very thankful for, but that really never affected my life. I entered college almost on a figurative tightrope---I could have easily fallen either towards Christianity or towards a lifestyle very opposite of Christianity. Long story short, I got involved in Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru for short), a really sweet Christian organization on campus, and met a ton of really neat people that have helped me understand what it means to live a Christian lifestyle. It has been the most rewarding year ever. I've been exposed to all of the amazing things that God has done for me, and it's all given me a whole different perspective on life.
Anyway, so one day I'm sitting in one of our weekly Cru meetings and I hear about this thing that Cru does called "Summer Project". Briefly, these are kinda like missions where members of different Cru's from colleges all over the country go to different locations to grow in their own faith as well as to share with others the crazy awesome stuff that God can do to change people's lives. And the presentation that one of my fellow Cru members, Patreeya Prasertvit (Pat), gave was about a Summer Project at Walt Disney World, and I was like uhhhh...where do I sign up?
So for 9 weeks this summer, I (and about 40 other people from other Cru's) will be sweating in the sticky Florida summer as we work at The Happiest Place on Earth. Not exactly sure what to expect, but I know that I'm really excited! We will all be working in the Magic Kingdom; running rides, being cashiers or merchandise people, etc. I just hope they don't stick me at It's a Small World! (just kidding, I'm excited for wherever I get assigned) The vision is to build relationships with other co-workers who are there working in Disney's (elaborate) College Program. Then we will hopefully get to a point where we can invite our co-workers to church, bible-study, or other activities that we do. From just talking to Pat, who went on this trip last year, there is a sense of spiritual dissatisfaction beneath the happy facade that these workers put on every day. I'm praying that we can intervene and provide the solution that brings a sense of hope and joy to these workers.
Yeah, so it's like a mission trip to Disney World. Sounds cushy? Doubtful. It's gonna be exhausting and difficult, I already know. It'll also be interesting to see if or how my opinion about Disney changes after being on "the other side" of the magic. But I'm really looking foward to the relationships that I will be making. Jesus didn't just want his followers to go spread his word to places like the middle of Africa (although that is important too), but also to the places where we would least expect it.
Phew...that was pretty long. But I hope to be updating this at least a couple times per week, so keep checking back, or you can follow by email at the bottom! Wishing everyone a magical day!
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Stephen! I can't wait to read about all of your adventures here just in case I won't be able to text you as often!
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