Honestly, I don’t even know how to express the way this entire summer made my heart skip a beat. As I return back to Florida, all I can do is reflect about the past 3 months from New York, Qatar, China, the Philippines and my last flight: California.
This past weekend (July 12-14), I had the opportunity to serve at Couple for Christ’s Youth’s 25th Conference at the University of San Diego. I was a part of the production team and specifically assigned to work the front camera for the stage along with Bella Alimot from Mississippi. Our production team was comprised of people from CFC Florida, Oregon, Mississippi, Louisiana, California, New Jersey and Maryland. CFC-Y is an organization where young people strive to be and bring Christ wherever they may be. It is global and started in the United States 25 years ago. For those of you that know me well, you know this community has been a part of my life and my heavy involvement in it.
I arrived in California on June 25th (https://thejamiegrace.wordpress.com/2019/07/16/golden-state-19/) and on July 6th, I met up with the CFC-Y community of San Diego where the Basillio, Lam and Fernando family each took the time to host some others and I from other parts of the U.S. the days leading up to conference. There is a lot that goes on during preparation time which is why I would like to affirm and thank each team/committee for all their service and commitment for the success of the event. But if I was to say what I thought prep was, it was the time to truly build bonds with your team and other teams and really learn more about God through these friendships. OJ Medina from SoCal shared during prep time that what he loves so much is that as much work as we have to do, it’s amazing that as brothers and sisters we can easily joke around and always have a good laugh no matter what the circumstance is. And I too can really attest to that. I’m shocked I didn’t cry at the victory party saying goodbye. But that is another story.
On the Friday of the conference, I completely lost my voice. I had no voice the ENTIRE weekend. We were given walkie talkies for the production team to communicate stage queues, and let me tell you how I was in struggle city whispering to communicate. As one of our production heads Jeff said, “You sound like something from a horror movie.” People asked what happened because it was only day 1, and I couldn’t even explain that I have been in Cali for so long and my constant screams to cheer on my hometown Florida during competitions, which is probably why my throat was so done with me. As frustrating as it was, there was the beauty of having broken vocal cords this weekend. I had no choice but to listen. Listen to everyone around me, to the singing, music and most importantly God. As most of you know, I am kind of a traveler. It has been a busy summer. I joked around with the team and my friends that “God is just letting y’all have a good laugh at me for the weekend” which is partially true, but it was finally time for me to take a breath and just listen. My friends were BEGGING me to stop talking because 1) I sounded like the little engine that could 2) it was painful to hear LOL. I still talked nonetheless because IM SHYYY (hehe) but from all the silence I endured since I couldn’t sing during worships, God wanted to remind me there is still hope and love in this world. Imagine watching 900+ teenagers singing for God and striving to learn more about the church. As I watched from the bottom and heard all the voices, I witnessed the entire basketball arena give 110% of themselves to this conference and that is why I am inspired to continue serving in whatever way I can for the kids. Liveloud’s You Have Chosen Me hits a soft spot in my heart and during conference prep and during conference I teared up each time. Mother Teresa said, “Intense love does not measure. It just gives.” And that is exactly what this community does.
Throughout the week, everyone asked each other what are you excited about for this year’s conference? My response: to see all my friends from Florida because it’s been so long and to work and meet with new people. It has been forever since I’ve seen my Florida kiddos and the families I’m close with. I am so proud of them for pouring their hearts into the sports competition, dance, original song, banner, and video. They truly keep me going. I met a lot of good people this weekend. Good is an understatement. My friends are wonderful. As I wrote earlier, ~~ I’m shhyyyyyy~ which most of us know… is not true. But I bring this up, because at the end of conference, my friends Vanessa, Terence, Bella, Rachel, Aika and I went to go grab some In-N-Out and I said that I don’t understand why my voice gave out considering IMMM SHYY and never talk. Terence said, “Jamie, you’ve known these girls for a week and look at you guys.” That car ride to In-N-Out LOL if you know you know (I’d love to share how ditzy we are). And I can’t thank God enough for these unbreakable bonds. You’d be surprised what a week or a weekend does with the same people. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but the friendships I made this weekend forever hold a place in my heart; because there are friends, there are family then there are the friends that become family. My heart is so full and I always say, I do not deserve all the love and kindness. Some of the girl’s and I were doing trust falls and having a good laugh out of those. Also, I was trying to call my renter’s insurance for my apartment, and these fools made me laugh so hard I just hung up on the representative. As Terence said, “It’s always a good time with CFC.” This just really reminded me, I really do have guardian angels on earth looking after me. So shout out to you guys who I was with the entire week/weekend.
Shout out to Janel from SoCal for really helping me think about a lot of the things going on in my heart. Lol at the building of the boat. It turned out well but if you remember the sweat shop you know. We were helping the logistics committee help build the decorations for the conference. During this time though, Janel and I were really just talking about what we wanted to better about ourselves and the community and in the past 3 months, it’s been a while since I’ve been asked questions or had to think about ~dramatic music plays here~ my heart’s desire and God’s plan for me. Sisterhood is a gift, and one of my favorite things.
As I officially begin my daily routine in Florida, all I gotta say is thank You God for my friends, my family and the CFC community, for all the SD people who showed me around, for a wonderful conference, and for all the unconditional love. I am forever indebted to this community for helping me become the person I am today and for all the friends I’ve made along the way.
AMDG.
Jamie Vergara 