Coming back [home] as a changed man and more importantly a better man of God. Wildwood has definitely made me stronger and more confident.

1 Corinthians 16.13 – “be men of courage; be strong”

--Jon

This summer God revealed my brokenness and sinful nature to me in a way I didn’t think was possible.  And I loved every bit of it.

I loved the process of constantly growing.  Of having 45 people to hold you accountable everyday.  I loved the community.  I loved the vulnerability, and how everyone was just so honest with how sinful of a person they are.  But more so, I loved how we could all see the redemptiveness of God and how we clung to the steady foundation of His cross.  Seeing God actively move in everyone’s life was just one of the many ways God showed me He is more than invested in my life, their life, our lives. God loves us, so, so much.  And it is near impossible for my broken, sinful, human heart to realize that.  But this summer he worked in my heart, showing his love for me.  Showing me how intimately he knows me.  

He is who I find my strength in, not good works, not friends, not boys, not family or accomplishing something.  Him, and Him alone.

 --Amanda

It's crazy how ten weeks can change you.  Being with the friends I met, I experienced for the first time what it meant to feel truly loved and accepted.  Real Christians, people who are seeking God's heart, love in the same way He does -- so it was like I could actually feel in my heart His immense love for me instead of just knowing it in my head.  God has begun to heal places I've been hurting and have been unfulfilled.

I can't put it quite into words yet, but the direction of my life has changed because of this summer, and it's something about which I am SO pumped.  Like, I actually realize that everything is about Him now.  He's not just a part of my life, but the whole thing.  And I don't really know what that looks like, but I trust that I'll gradually find out. 

I can't imagine not having come to Wildwood.  I was skeptical as can be going in, thinking it would be like an extended conference whose theme was "How to Deepen Your Faith" and unsure of whether change would actually happen.  I doubted I would establish friendships so deep that I'd still call them some of my best friends years later.  But God has just proved me wrong all over the place, and it's awesome.  I know what I'm living for now, I know what a Christian community has the potential to look like, I know that God is SO GOOD, and I know that He comes first no matter what.  I'm excited, Lori, I'm excited — for what God's going to do in me, for the opportunities I have to pour into younger believers and my peers, for the ways that He'll use me to minister to nonbelievers.  Wildwood is what I needed.

 --Sarah R.

Going on Wildwood Summer Project has been an immeasurable blessing in my life and has grown me in my walk with God in more ways than I am able to count. While on project, I learned so many things about sharing my faith with others and have gained a better understanding of God’s heart and how He longs to bring his lost sheep home.

During my time in Wildwood, I really grew a heart for the world as I encountered countless international students. I also felt that the Holy Spirit revealed to me that winning lost souls for Christ brings not only great joy to the Father, but also to us as believers as we see our friends walk from darkness to light. Being a witness to that kind of transformation is absolutely amazing to experience as a believer and I am so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity.

Probably one of the most significant things that happened in my time at Wildwood was praying with a Taiwanese friend, Amy, to receive Christ. Though there is a very small percentage of Christian influence in Taiwan, I was able to witness the ways in which the Lord had revealed Himself to Amy long before she ever met me. Although she heard the gospel from me for the first time, her understanding and willingness to believe truly showed me that God had been preparing her long in advance to meet me and ultimately receive Christ.

Praying the salvation prayer with Amy and bringing to fruition what God had previously been orchestrating even while we were miles apart was an experience that I will never forget.

--Melanie A.

I learned that God is so much bigger than anything I do or fail to do.

 I thank God every day for the opportunity I had to live in awesomely encouraging, supportive, genuine community with 45 Spirit-filled students—to worship, be blessed by wise words and testimonies, be vulnerable, and just have crazy amounts of fun. I felt how much Jesus loves me through the love of these people, and I know those we reached out to felt it too. It was amazing to see everyone living intentionally and boldly, caring more about coworkers and international friends than paychecks, treasuring Jesus and making Him known.

Basically, this summer, God blew my expectations to pieces, broke me, convicted me, humbled me, shoved me out of my comfort zone, provided me with beautiful community, calmed my fear, and taught me how to trust. His love NEVER fails. --Erinn S.

The project house had an international BBQ outreach where we watched some short films that explained parts of the Gospel in symbolism. Popo (a co-worker) came and asked tons of questions, and even though I didn't have all the answers, we talked for about an hour! I shared the Gospel with her and went through the booklet 'Knowing God Personally.' Popo accepted Christ that night!!

Right before, Popo literally said, 'God is so perfect and He loves me, why wouldn't I want to accept Him?'

Popo is so excited about this new life that she has!! We prayed together and hugged so many times! 

--Katy

Have you ever seen that T.V.  show called Jersey Shore?  I guess it’s about these wild New York ‘Italian’ kids who go out to the coast to waste their lives partying and hooking up with people.  It has characters with names like “Snooki” and ‘the Situation’.  It’s sort of popular, but to be honest I’ve never seen it.  And call me an idiot for not paying attention to details, but I never even knew Jersey had so much shore!  But it does and down at the southern tip, you’ll find Wildwood.  

Before going to serve in Wildwood, New Jersey this summer, Stephanie and I were told that there are “tons of international students” there.  But to be honest, I didn’t totally believe it!  Even though my sister Rachel had served on the project and told me about it and my best friends told me what a great place it was to meet people from other countries, I thought they were all basically exaggerating!  I sincerely thought “sure, there probably are a few more international students in Wildwood than there are in Daytona Beach or something, - but seriously, how many could there really be?”   But let me say that I was totally failing to comprehend the reality!  It’s basically mind blowing how many international students there are in Wildwood over the summer.  I don’t understand it!

But what does make sense to me is having a summer project there!  At least part of the reason so many students come from all over the world is because of Morey’s Piers.  Morey’s Piers is a beach side boardwalk string of amusement parks. They have a very proficient internship system that involves sending recruiters to universities in countries like Romania, Kazakhstan, Turkey and China to promote their job opportunities.   Students sign contracts and then get on planes and move out here for the summer to work at Morey’s wannabe Disneyland.  I met some guys from Bulgaria.  They told me that there are at least 100 students from Bulgaria working at the Piers! At another point I heard there are 500 in the area and they jokingly call Wildwood –New Bulgaria during the summer.   And some students love it so much they come back year after year. 

In the middle of the project we host a raging BBQ and invite co-workers, neighbors and anyone else who the students have met.  Our students are working beside students from countries where it’s actually difficult to send missionaries.  They are gaining cross-cultural ministry experience and having opportunities to proclaim the Gospel to people who have never met a Christian before!   

On Thursday nights we host what's called "international Cafe."  We broadcasted a wireless internet signal for people to use and the students would hang out on the driveway.  It's a great way to hang out together.

--J.W.