"Through my experience at Trinita, I’ve come 
to believe in a closer God. I saw changes in
people over the course of a week that I didn’t 
think were possible . . ."
                                   - Chris Leonard

How can I explain Trinita to someone who is hearing about camp for the first time? I went to Trinita hoping for a good experience serving God. I’ve always felt very lucky to have had the family and background I’ve had, and I’ve always wanted to give something back. I was inspired by the Trinity Missions Summer ‘99 pamphlet, which quotes Pope John Paul II stating, "The Church needs your energies, your ideals, your enthusiasm to make the Gospel of life penetrate the fabric of society, transforming people’s hearts and structures of society to create a civilization of justice and Love."

I wanted to help make the kids at Trinita feel loved and valuable, to help them realize how valuable each person is to God. The volunteers came from all over the U.S.A. and we even had a Colombian staff member. We had come for similar reasons and quickly became friends. I learned so much from these people over the summer as we often talked into the night about different experiences and beliefs.

I also learned a lot from the campers. I was impressed by their faith, despite struggles, and I found that they were looking for the same things I was. People often search for differences, but I noticed, time and again that, in general, people simply need to be loved, accepted, and appreciated.

My greatest reward from the summer was a closer relationship with God who loves us but sends us to earth to find our own way. We are to learn all we can while we’re here but I didn’t think He really wanted to be close to us or to guide us directly. Through my experience at Trinita, I’ve come to believe in a closer God. I saw changes in people over the course of a week that I didn’t think were possible, and I believe that those changes were the result of prayer and a God who does want to be close to us and does want to guide our lives. I truly value my experience at Trinita and it will continue to influence every aspect of my life.

                                                          - Chris Leonard
                                                             Rugby, North Dakota
                                                             Summer '98 Volunteer, Tijuana, Mexico
                                                             Summer '99 Volunteer, Camp Trinita

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