The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Kayla M. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Tactics - SSI Experience
After my brother and several friends had attended SSI for years, I spent a week as a representative and couldn't wait to come back as a senator. Heading into SSI for my second time, I looked forward to tackling the challenges of government camp and spiritual growth, led and surrounded by strong Christians living out their faith. God would use this week as a senator to encourage, inspire, and draw me close to Him. On the first night the new faces, the confusion about amendments, and the prospect of Friday speeches overwhelmed me. But as my caucus got to work on the challenges headed our way, the confusion cleared.
As the head journalist of a group of senators, I attended a representative press conference, drilled them with questions, and wrote an article for the SSI newspaper. Writing an article under a deadline was a great experience, and I enjoyed discovering a newfound love for journalism.
Our caucus worked hard and learned a lot throughout the week. Passionate and dedicated fellow Christians, we communicated well. Our chaperones gave us invaluable help by attending our meetings and listening to our ideas. Since our sponsoring bill was not one we would ordinarily support, we had to research its benefits, look at it from a different perspective, and come up with an amendment to garner more votes. On Wednesday a committee meeting at the Capitol put our work to the test. Called upon to present our bill and amendment, I had to stretch out of my comfort zone, gaining confidence in public speaking. I would need this confidence on the house floor on Friday, when I gave two written speeches and one impromptu speech, an unexpected experience of growth.
SSI's role models, the adult leaders, chaperones and ADCs, are strong, wise, encouraging Christians who guided students throughout the week and set a Biblical example to follow. Every night at the chapel service, a different speaker would explain his or her testimony and career to the students. These talks informed and inspired me, as a prison minister, two political journalists, and a Michigan Supreme Court justice shared their stories. In the teaching sessions every morning, the Christian perspective fascinated, challenged, and renewed my mind. Mr. Muffett spoke on Christian citizenship, explaining Christ's centrality in history and how woven He is into the fabric of America. In his remarkable sessions on worldview, another speaker compared each religion systematically, explaining Christianity as the only religion where we are saved by grace.
Throughout the week, adults and students alike encouraged me to live for Christ and use my mind and mouth to further His kingdom. The inspiring atmosphere and the wonderful Christians at SSI lifted my spirits and gave me evidence that God is working through His people to raise up the next generation for Him.
