This July I had the incredible opportunity to attend an evangelization camp for Catholic Teens, called “Transform Your World.” The trip to Benedictine College campus was only a three-hour drive for me, but nearer to a three-hour plane ride for many of the other campers.

Although few of us knew each other before the six-day camp (there were six of us from Wichita), and we came from every corner of the country, it didn’t seem to matter. Over fifty teenagers were gathered together for a common purpose: to grow in our faith and learn how to effectively share it with others. During one of the last days of camp, we all had to write and share our personal testimonies. It was shocking to hear the intimate conversion stories of people I barely knew. Most of them had undergone terrible hardships in their lives. Many of the teens’ parents had died, or had family members who’d been disabled, or were severely bullied. The stories went on and on, and I felt worse and worse about the completely insignificant tribulations in my own life.

While I feel that I can’t even compare to the other amazing kids at Transform Your World, they taught me something very valuable, among other things. Even at the times in my life of most distress, I can and will make it out with my faith unscathed. These kids who’ve had numerous faith-shaking experiences, have never been taught the Catholic doctrine that I am taught every day in school, and maybe even have mediocre Catholic parents, have such inspiring faith. They did it and much more, so who am I to make excuses?