Roy Rogers

Have you ever just decided to do something? And I don’t mean ‘‘something’’ like walking fifteen minutes to the nearest 7-Eleven because you were hungry for a taquito. I mean something big, something intense, maybe even something a little scary. Something that requires sacrifice, spontaneity, and ultimate trust in God.

Some people seem to do this all the time. You know the type. They’re the ones who spend school vacations camping solo or driving across the country, and summers backpacking through Europe or volunteering for a non-profit in Africa. They’re kind of like modern day cowboys. Most of them will eventually settle down and live ‘‘normal’’ lives, but they see their young years as the time for adventure and excitement. 

I’m certainly not the most zealous of these cowboy types. I’ve had my moments, like deciding to transfer into boarding school my junior year of high school, or studying abroad in the UK last summer. But mostly I plan to do awesome things at some indefinite time in the future, and in the meantime more or less stick to what I know.

That all changed this past winter, when, completely on a whim, I wandered into the summer job fair being hosted on my college campus. Next thing you know, I’d volunteered to spend three months working with ACMNP (A Christian Ministry in the National Parks). I knew that the job had something to do with putting on church services, and that I’d get to live in a National Park. That’s about it. I know. Off the chain spontaneous, right? You can call me Roy Rogers.

It’s taken a while for it to sink in that my summer will consist of driving by myself from my home in northeast Pennsylvania over 2,000 miles to Jackson, WY, where I’ll live for almost three months, completely surrounded by strangers in one of the most rugged places in the US, working a job I’ve never done before, and talking to people about Jesus.

Right now, sitting in my dorm room in Wheaton, Illinois, as I procrastinate on studying for finals, summer and the Grand Tetons and ACMNP seem very far away. But the time is drawing near. I start the 3-day drive in T-minus 28 days. I have no idea what God has in store for me to do and learn through this experience, but I’m stoked to find out.

For those of you who are interested, I invite you to go along on this journey with me, as I update this blog with stories, pictures, and whatever else I might be inspired to post about what God does in the Tetons this summer. Your questions, thoughts, and prayers are always welcome.