Gospel Roads: Long Island
by Courtney Bennet
I’ve been on Gospel Roads before, but as a participant -- never a Young Team member. For my senior year, I decided to apply for Young Team. My friends and I both applied for the team in Tampa, because we wanted to do a Gospel Roads that was further away. Things changed, and next thing I knew, I was invited to go to Gospel Roads: Long Island. I was actually considering backing out, because I thought to myself, “Why do I want to go so close to home? I’d rather go far away and get the whole experience… and how will a new Gospel Roads work any way?” Then I was talking to some of my friends and teachers and they told me that I must have been chosen for a reason to go and be on Young Team. One of my teachers said, “God chose you for a reason and if He didn't think you were ready or could handle this, He wouldn't have chosen you for Young Team or to lead the participants.” I realized he was right, so I decided to go.
It didn’t take long to realize I made the right choice.
One person who inspired me in a deep way was a Sister at the home for the elderly. Her name was Sister Pida. Even though she was small, her heart was big. From the moment I entered the home, till the moment I left, she always had a smile on her face. Even though she gave up her life for God (which is beautiful!) she also committed her life to helping the elderly. Many of the women in that home have disabilities. Some of the women I met, talked to and got to know had autism. It made me feel sad inside, but it inspired me even more, even though the things that the Sisters have to do might not be easy, they still keep smiling. Even though I know my calling is not to be a Sister, I think women like Sr. Pida, are amazing for becoming Sisters.
Overall, Gospel Roads was an amazing experience. It is always a great experience. I plan on applying for Young Team again or Core Team. For anyone who is considering attending or not attending Gospel Roads, open your mind and go for it! It’s a great opportunity to meet some pretty amazing people and make some great friends, too.
It didn’t take long to realize I made the right choice.
One person who inspired me in a deep way was a Sister at the home for the elderly. Her name was Sister Pida. Even though she was small, her heart was big. From the moment I entered the home, till the moment I left, she always had a smile on her face. Even though she gave up her life for God (which is beautiful!) she also committed her life to helping the elderly. Many of the women in that home have disabilities. Some of the women I met, talked to and got to know had autism. It made me feel sad inside, but it inspired me even more, even though the things that the Sisters have to do might not be easy, they still keep smiling. Even though I know my calling is not to be a Sister, I think women like Sr. Pida, are amazing for becoming Sisters.
Overall, Gospel Roads was an amazing experience. It is always a great experience. I plan on applying for Young Team again or Core Team. For anyone who is considering attending or not attending Gospel Roads, open your mind and go for it! It’s a great opportunity to meet some pretty amazing people and make some great friends, too.