Cody Clancy

It all started this January; this is when I was invited to go on a mission trip to Europe with Saddleback Church. My friend, and leader of the art studio at church said, “Cody, I am going to be leading a mission trip to Spain and Berlin this summer. It is going to be a mission trip completely involving the arts!” Jason went on to further explain how we would be using our artistic talents to outreach to people, and how we would also work to help start an art studio at the Saddleback Church Berlin campus. There had been many challenges and changes in my life this past year and a half, so when I heard this, my first thought was, “nope—I am not going on this adventure. It sounds fun and amazing, but I am just not in the right place to do something this fantastic.”

I expressed this thought to Jason, but he just smiled at me and said, “Well, thanks for joining our team, man.” What? Here I, doubted myself, and Jason just looked right passed those doubts as if he believed I was to be a part of this mission. As I drove home that night I thought about everything that had just happened. Then I prayed and asked God that if I were meant to go on this trip, God would make it happen. Sure enough I attended the first team meeting and was sold! I allowed the thought of being a part of this trip to flourish in my mind, and committed myself to go. Additionally, my prayer has come true. I have seen Gods plan for this trip being intricately woven into my life these past four months. The time has flown by fast, and now there is only one month till my team and I go to Europe.

To close with this first blog, I want to express my happiness from being invited to join this mission trip. For it has been the preparation of this trip, which has been changing my life. This preparation process has greatly gown me as a person through character development. It has caused me to renounce isolation and to dabble in fellowship, it has helped me to better manage my time, and it has stretched my communication skills, and lastly—has caused me to come out of hiding with my artistic talents! Furthermore, I have come to see and accept who I am more as an individual instead of hiding behind the people pleasing mask, or being cloaked in fear of what others may think of me if I be myself—Cody Clancy. I am excited to experience and then share, what comes next. Thanks for tuning in.