My name is Morris, I am 19 years old, and this year I had the opportunity to be part of various projects run by the msd mission organisation. It was a time full of encounters, exciting moments and experiences that I will not forget anytime soon.

Over the Ascension weekend, I attended the Beach Volleyball Camp. Four days full of sun, sand, exercise and also depth. For me, it was just the right mix because I was able to combine my passion for sport with my faith. It was wonderful to see how we had fun on the court and enjoyed fellowship, while also talking about God with each other.

In mid-July, I travelled to Rome to attend BNE Rome. There, I had many inspiring encounters, both with people and with God. It was an intense time, during which we not only studied the Epistle to the Romans, but also learned a lot about the history of Rome and early Christianity. In particular, I gained a new understanding of what God’s grace really means and what it means to be redeemed through Jesus Christ.

During this time in Rome, the topic of baptism came up for me. Even during the first quiet time, I felt the desire to understand what baptism actually means. Through reading the Bible and studying the Epistle to the Romans together, it became increasingly clear to me: I want to take this step. So I decided to publicly profess my faith and be baptised in Rome. It was a profound moment in which I was able to experience God’s presence in a whole new way.

After these four weeks of Bible study, we split up into different mission trips. In beautiful Volterra, we had the opportunity to accompany an Italian couple in their everyday life. I was impressed by how naturally they included God in every area of their lives, and I was inspired by their Spirit-led lifestyle. A major insight for me was that we can learn something from every day, no matter how ordinary, in which God works or shows us something. It is a huge blessing when we dedicate every day, every situation and every conversation to God and subordinate our own schedule and ideas to Him.

When I look back on these months, I am filled with gratitude. For everything I was able to experience, for the people I met, and above all for what God has done in my life. I encourage you too to devote your time to God…