Relationship. That’s the word that keeps coming to mind as I reflect on my experience as a part of the Communication, Research, and Information Technology (CRIT) program held in Jordan during the first two weeks of July. While our discussions about developing communication teams were practical in nature, they were guided by the value of investing in one another. I was impressed with how those in attendance continued to weave this value into a variety of topics.
CRIT is designed to be a discussion-based consulting event that blends together theory with practice in order both to set up and to maintain communication teams throughout the world. Our daily scheduled included four sessions with a variety of topics being addressed including, but not limited to, audience analysis, graphic design principles, communication campaigns, web design, project brainstorming, research, and managing finances. The CRIT staff were very gracious hosts and welcomed my perspective as someone who is not a part of the organization. One way I was able to serve the CRIT participants was by teaching about being a competent speaker. Many of those in attendance find themselves in various public speaking contexts and it was a privilege to share strategies with them about how to convey their messages effectively. I also had an opportunity to share a devotional about living out God’s best for us instead of living out a “better than nothing” attitude that leads us to settle for less.
We had a couple of opportunities to relax in the midst of the hectic schedule. One day trip took us to Mt. Nebo, the site where God revealed the Promised Land to Moses. It was amazing to stand in a place flowing with so much biblical history. We followed Mt. Nebo with a trip to the Dead Sea. I don’t even know how to begin to describe the very unique experience of floating in the Dead Sea! We ended our day with a cookout on a ridge overlooking the Dead Sea with Jerusalem in the background. The most spectacular part of the day was watching the sun set over Jerusalem while singing and praying. Our second day trip took us to the ancient Roman city of Jerash, one of the most well preserved Roman cities in the world. From the amphitheatre to the marketplace to the Roman road, one could really gain a sense of the layout of a Roman city along with its size. That same day we were able to stop off at a mall in Amman, the capital city, which afforded me the opportunity to have some decaf coffee at Starbucks. A part from Nescafe, decaf does not exist in the Middle East and since I only drink decaf, you can imagine how enjoying that Jordanian Starbucks was for me!
YWAM’s mission is “to know God and to make Him known”. At its root, this mission claims relationship as sacred—it is the way that we not only come to know God but to know one another. One of our team members challenged us to be mindful that effective ministry flows out of a vibrant relationship with God and a vibrant relationship is an outgrowth of communicating with God. Thank you for your investment in me as my time in Jordan helped me to know God more as well as to learn more about how to make Him known through effective communication practices.
Click here for photos and to read more about the trip.