For the past two years, Enspire has had the opportunity to minister to the community during Keene Camp meeting through performing the Journey plays. Cast and crew members come in from all over the country like Michigan, New York, South Texas, and multiple parts of North Texas, to participate in this ministry. I was blessed to have a camp friend accompany me on the 8 hour drive from Mcallen to Keene. Although we’ve known each other for years, we never took the time to get to know each other one on one. As we spent the first hour talking nonstop on how excited we were to see all our friends again, I began to ponder, “Why do I feel so connected to her even though we have never been alone until now?” We got to talking about how after all the time that has passed without us communicating together, we still feel a strong connection to each other. The love, trust, and respect we have for each other is strong and unbreakable. It’s a connection that I not only felt with her, but with every member of the Enspire group.
I met new cast and crew members that week, most who were still in high school and others that were about to graduate in a few days. Instantly, I felt bonded to them. As we grew even closer, praying with one another, mentoring each other, helping with lines or even treating each other to snacks, our bond grew. How could I love someone I barely met? Talking with God is so personal and intimate and yet there we were, praying with each other and opening our hearts to complete strangers in such a short amount of time. During our practices, the church filled with laughter and at times with tears. Before our last performance, we came together to practice one last time. We sat together in a circle and prayed earnestly for each other. With tears in our eyes, we knew our time together was coming to an end in a few short hours. Looking around, I saw the many sacrifices that each one of us had made to be there at that very moment. Some took time off of work. Others saved money to purchase a flight just for those few days. Two drove across the country. One drove for hours just to make it to practice daily. Why would this group of young adults come together, open their hearts to each other, and give their all for a “play”?
My friend Caro said something to me during that car ride that continues to stay in the front of my mind. The reason we all have become so close is because God is our base, our center of focus. Even though we come from different backgrounds, even though we are of different ages and have varied walks of life and interests, we are bonded through our love for Christ. Nothing else matters. What we sacrificed to make this ministry happen is nothing compared to the rewards that Christ has given us; the gifts of friendship and unconditional love for each other.
Make God your foundation. What could be stronger that the creator of the heavens and the earth? Maybe acting isn’t your gift. Maybe it’s accounting or writing stories. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him,” Colossians 3:17. What are you waiting for? He’s ready to create stability in your life. Will you allow him to bless you?
Alejandra Rodriguez Clark is an elementary school teacher and currently resides in McAllen, Texas.