I thank God that He allowed me to participate in the 2011 Singles Caribbean cruise. I spent many months preparing my heart for this cruise, praying that would God use me as well as help me to grow through the experience. I went on the cruise with two spiritual goals in mind that I wanted God to meet: to expand my perception of the kingdom of God and to break out of the box I had placed myself in. God met those goals and did so much more for me, more than I ever expected or could have imagined.
I had put the kingdom of God into a small box that was the size of the Phoenix Valley Church of Christ. I knew that there were other disciples outside of Phoenix but I felt like Phoenix was the only true family. People would come to visit, even move here, and I had been to conferences, but the Phoenix Church WAS the kingdom in my mind. When I went to conferences or visited the Dallas church I felt like a visitor, not part of an extended family. I didn’t want to feel that way and knew in my head that it wasn’t the truth, but I couldn’t get my heart to follow suit.
Meeting so many brothers and sisters from so many places and so many backgrounds was amazing, especially since it felt like we had known each other forever!! Even though the physical churches represented there were from five countries; Canada, the UK, the Bahamas, Trinidad and the United States; even more countries were represented; Africa, the Philippines, Asia, Eastern Europe, other Caribbean Islands as well as the countries previously mentioned; because a lot of the brothers and sisters didn’t live in the country or city they had been raised in, or even met in. Even though we were all from diverse locations and backgrounds there was a common thread that ran through everyone – we were all members of God’s family, bought and paid for by Jesus’ blood. His family doesn’t stop at the borders of Arizona.
Just like my physical family is spread across the United States my spiritual family is spread around the world. I can go visit my physical family and, even if I haven’t met them or seen them for quite some time, there is still a bond there. The same is true of my spiritual family. Even if I have never met someone from another ICOC church there is still a bond that makes us brothers and sisters. That bond is the blood of Jesus – His love, redemption and acceptance into His family. Over the years I have put myself into a box. Until I get to know someone, I am normally shy and into myself. I have very low self-esteem, thinking I am not worthy of anyone’s love or acceptance due to actions from my past. I know that this line of thinking is wrong, even sinful, but again I couldn’t get my heart to follow what I knew in my head.
When I stepped onto the dock I did not know anyone. I was so far outside my comfort zone but God met me and helped me. I met a brother in line and he was excited to meet me. When we walked into the Sky Lounge, where we were supposed to meet once we got on board, there was not the usual 15 – 30 minutes of awkwardness – wondering who I should talk to or who looked the least intimidating. I was greeted with open arms and accepted immediately, just because I was a disciple and part of the family, an integral part of that family. Not just some insignificant being but an integral, needed participant in the family. It was an amazing feeling.
After supper that night my initial instinct was to just walk around by myself or go back to my room since my roommate, the only one I had formed a bond with at that time, had a meeting to go to. But I told myself no, I had come there to be out of myself, to make new friends and to have fun, so I just attached myself to a group of disciples. We went to the show, hung out, played a game, danced, and had great spiritual conversations.
The whole trip was like that. When I went to eat breakfast or lunch instead of going off and sitting by myself I would look for other disciples and sit with them. They weren’t that hard to spot since we all wore name badges and had big smiles. We’d share, hang out and just have fun as a family. All week I had to fight my “old nature” of wanting to hold back and be into myself by putting myself out there. By the end of the week I had made many new friends from many different places and it was easier to be out of myself.
An unexpected bonus from the cruise was the feeling of acceptance and love I received from the brothers and sisters. I felt like people wanted to get to know me, wanted to be my friend. I didn’t get the feeling of being judged and found lacking or I wasn’t as “good” as someone else. It would have been easy for me to feel that way because many of the brothers and sisters were successful in their fields, educated and, in the world’s eyes, doing great and had it all together. I felt as though people accepted me for who I am, as though people wanted to get to know ME! And that feeling has continued here at home with the brothers and sisters from the cruise “friending” me on Facebook, tagging me in other’s photos and even calling me on the phone.
I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to participate in this cruise. My prayer is that the work that God started in me on the cruise will continue. I am looking forward to continuing the friendships that started and to be able to visit other churches and continue to grow in my position in the family of God.
Evelyn Chiaramonte
Phoenix, Arizona
Disciples Today is so grateful for and proud of the 104 singles from 5 countries who attended our first ever Singles Cruise. We are seeking input from singles now and planning another cruise in 2014. Meanwhile, please consider the 2013 Steps of the Apostles Tour. We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio in July 2012.
