Photo: Kathlyn Gardiner
A few weeks before Conference, I was asked to be a part of the Documentation Team. Of course, I felt blessed. I was excited to meet other people from different regions who were a part of the Docu Team as well. When I attended my first meeting on Google Hangouts, they were talking about a bunch of things that I didn’t understand. There were settings on a camera that I had no idea existed. I was just thinking to myself, “I only know how to take pictures… am I in the right meeting?!” I felt distant. I felt like my level of knowing things were lower than everyone else. So I messaged Ate Len Gardiner, the sister Documentation Head, and told her how I only knew how to take pictures and how I didn’t know anything about all these switches and stuff we had to know. I was nervous and scared that my pictures would suck. But what finally put me to ease was when she said, “Don’t worry! I got you covered! You’ll do great!” Which let me feel motivated and ten times more excited than I already was for Conference.
On the first day of Conference, I saw all the Docu people and we went straight to the theatre to have our first meeting. Everyone got their cameras and all their cool gadgets then we practised taking pictures and videos. While everyone was getting comfortable with their stuff, ate Len was teaching me all the basic things I should know. We talked about the lighting, and colours of a picture that I would never have thought of. So, Praise God because the things she taught me actually help out with my service in CFC-Youth!
Now, I’ll be honest and say that during Session One, Liveloud, that it was very challenging to take pictures, walk around, and not disrupt anybody from their moment with God. It was dark and using flash was definitely not one of the options. All of us taking pictures and videos were scattered at the front of the stage. At times we even ran into each other and other times I ran into others worshipping. Thankfully, no one noticed because they were so focused on what was going on.
It was also a bit hard to take part in the sessions and worships. I was always moving around and going everywhere. It was actually my first time serving at such a big event and, yet, I never knew the service team had to focus on so many different things. But then again, when I look behind the scenes, behind what is actually going on, I get to see something beautiful. During the first session, I got the chance to see God working through each and every participant. I heard their voices and the harmonies being combined. Their expressions were extremely beautiful and passionate. Even if they cried, they cried beautifully. This was the best part, seeing and feeling God’s presence through the people around me. That was when I felt Jesus being exposed.
I felt that the message he was trying to give me was to accept the challenges he offers to experience something new. He was there during the scene and, as I was behind the scenes, I got the chance to witness it. I knew that it was only the beginning of Conference and I felt excited to know that I was called to be in the Documentation Team to also see him through a different view, which was behind the camera, and through the lens that made me see him clearer. Throughout the rest of the weekend, even though I didn’t get to fully participate, I felt blessed because I got to capture the moments that might mean something important to others.
There were times where my camera battery died so Kuya Jon Eric Marababol, the brother Documentation Head, said to go take a break. So I took a short break to relax because, like always, there will be people sleep deprived from Conference. I also got to meet other people from different regions and bond with people from my own. So I was taking pictures and talking… at the same time. Yay multitasking!
Some people say that being in the service team is hard, but with God, nothing is ever too hard until you try. Even though I may have way less pictures than the others, there will be far more better pictures to be taken some place else. A sister once told me, “The Lord never puts us in our comfort zones when he wants us to grow.” So the next time I take on a role, whether it’s a part of CFC-Youth or even someplace else like school, I’ll try and have faith that the Lord is only wanting me to grow into a better daughter I was born to be. Therefore, the next time I’m asked to be a part of any team, or any service role, I’ll try my best to accept. I’ll “do whatever he tells [me].”
Jeanette Reyes, CFC-Youth Big Sky Region
