Mitch writes:
My Hume experience started and almost stopped during my very first year on staff. In the summer of 1984, I was hired at the last minute (Trust me, a total God thing) to come up and work on the night accomo crew. We had an awesome team led by “Griff” (Harland Griffin), and I never worked (and played) so hard. I actually enjoyed all the many, sometimes very yucky, tasks. We would often work well past when we were supposed to (don’t tell anybody), but in life, you sometimes have to do what needs to be done. Anyway, my plan for the summer was not God’s plan – I got super sick and I had to go home mid-summer. One day I was working; one day, I was sick; one day, I was on a plane; and one day, I was in the hospital. After I got out of the hospital, I didn’t know what in the world I was going to do – it was back to school and work, I guessed. Anyway, get ready because God had a plan, and Hume would be a huge part of it.
In winter or early spring, I got a call from “Mega Bob” (Bob Nunziotto), who asked if I would like to come up and run recreation for Meadow Ranch camp. I was pretty blown away because I was young (just 19), inexperienced, and I didn’t even think Bob knew who I was (like many staff, I volunteered to help with rec. when I could); needless to say, I said, “yes,” and that “yes” led to five more summers at Hume serving on the Meadow Ranch Staff.
The Hume years, as I call them, were amazing. I learned so much about life from those around me. I can’t even begin to recount the impact they had on me and the person I was becoming, so here is the short list of those to who I am so grateful for: Dan, Brian, Jolene, Darla, Lori, Laurie, Tim, Lisa, Doug, Todd, Gary, Lynn, Karen, Michelle, Dewy, Bob, John and Carol, Gunner, and Bob (I could keep going, but that’s good for now). So many years have passed, and I still see how God brought together this amazing group of people to do his work. I learned to work hard and do “what needed to be done.” So incredible.
After I left Hume in 1988, I continued my college education (I was on the ten-year plan). Eventually, I ended up at Azusa Pacific University and, at about the same time, served as a youth intern/coordinator at my local church. Wait a minute – I also met my wife Tracy during this time too! Again, God had a plan – so glad she attended my friend’s wedding reception! We have been married for 30 years now! Anyway, I graduated with my B.A. in Psychology in 1991. After graduation, I wasn’t quite sure what direction I was headed. I was now married and working outside of my chosen field, but through a series of events ended up working at a non-public school for kids with severe emotional difficulties. One thing led to another; before I knew it, I was in a credential/M.A. program in Special Education. I may have fallen into education (what I thought was an accident), but it was the right fall. I’ve been teaching in special education for the past 27 years, and most of the time, it’s been good. Make no mistake; God was in this too – working in education was not what I planned, but I can see now how it was His plan. All I had to do was go along for the ride.
In 2001, Tracy and I had our first (and only) child, Wyatt Ian. He is now 21 and will be in his final year at Point Loma Nazarene University. As a parent, it’s been a blast to see him grow up through “the church” and have such positive experiences. Of course, sometimes raising kids can go a little sideways, but we do our best to guide.
We have had the opportunity through the years to serve our local church in lots of different ways, but I think the thing that has been the most rewarding has been being able to help others outside of the “church.” About 12 years ago, I was sitting in church, listening to our pastor, and he invited the congregation to “run a few miles and raise a few bucks” for water projects in Africa. He invited us to join Team World Vision and run a marathon. Once again, I found myself saying “yes” to the unknown. Who would have known that that “yes” would have a profound impact on not just me but my whole family? My wife joined in on all the fun by year four, and Wyatt was in the mix as soon as he turned 14. I have been leading TWV teams since year two. We have traveled to Africa twice, and have seen firsthand the work that God is doing through the water projects, met a few of our sponsored kids (and their families), ran a marathon, and visited and listened to the stories of folks from rural regions (in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya). I’ve run more marathons than I ever thought possible (once, I think I even ran three in one year). I’ve enjoyed leading training groups and helping people (mostly non-runners) achieve their running and fundraising goals. Again, I said “yes” to doing what I needed, and God did the rest.
The Hume years contained some of the most memorable times in my young life, and I think what I learned set the stage for how I view service inside and outside the “church.” Oh, wait, did I mention, How much fun it was?!
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