It's the Monday after Summer School, and my head is still spinning with thoughts and ideas and plans. It's safe to say that my expectations for the week were surpassed.

I knew I was in for solid teaching before Summer School had even begun. Dr William Philip's talks on the final days of Jesus' life recorded in the gospel of Matthew were engaging and thought-provoking. They led me to look at the cross of Christ in different ways, and they gave me a greater depth of understanding of some of the metaphors and meaning that we can so easily skip past. I was so grateful to hear the passion narrative so clearly taught while simultaneously being challenged to consider becoming a missionary. Without the gospel, there'd be no need to go.

As for new friends, they were everywhere. It is always such a blessing and a joy to spend time immersed in Christian community " talking about the ways in which we do and could serve the Lord, sharing testimonies and ideas for the future. I had so many lovely coffee-shop conversations with so many amazing people about the way God has worked in their lives. I love being reminded that the people of God are so many and so different and so unique" and yet we all worship the same Lord.

It was very challenging to hear about what is happening in this great wide world " both the good fruit from missionaries' labour and the dire need for workers for the harvest. It is such an encouragement to hear the good work that is being done, to hear how people are coming to know Christ as Saviour, and to learn of the great things being done in the name of God. But it creates in me such a desperate desire to go. And this week has taught me that if (or when) I go, God will use me. Not because of my own gifts and abilities, but because that is how God has ordained it. He has made it so that it is our responsibility to share the good news of Christ. It was Matthew's calling to be a witness to Christ's life and death and resurrection, sharing what he saw and knew with the world. It is ours to be a testament to the transforming power of Christ's love, and to take the fact of his lordship to the world.

Summer School isn't about textbooks and essays, but it is about learning. It's not a holiday, but it is time to rest in the company of brothers and sisters. It's not a mission trip, but it teaches and equips and prepares us to be better at praying, caring, giving and going on mission. I am grateful for the week just passed, and I am excited about the impact the things I have heard and learnt will have on my life, and on the lives of those around me.