Ever thought of what it would be like to go back to your old college? What would you do differently at your alma mater if you knew what you know now? Here is a list of what I would do differently. I would…

Go rock wall climbing. I knew this guy, Mario, on one of my floors who was a rock wall climber. Really, he climbed about anything (Still does, if his facebook status is any indication.). One day as an RA, I had to have a talk with him on just why Christ for the Nations Institute frowned upon “buildering” on the Gordon Lindsay Tower (GLT). He invited me to go with him to this gym with an artificial rock wall several times, but I never went. If I went back today, I would take him up on the challenge and try my best. Even if I wouldn’t have reached the top, there is something about the climb that I missed.

Hang out at the Spanish school more. At Christ for the Nations, there is a school on campus that is the Spanish version of CFNI. I went there sometimes, but my fear of trying to communicate in another language kept me from going more often. Ahora, me da cuenta que la gente latina es una gente tan agradable, linda y rica en cultura. Me aceptaron sin reserva como un amigo y hermano a pesar de mis dificultades de comunicarme. Mucho de lo que soy y tengo, debo a la gente hispana. Cuando estaba en CFNI, me dio miedo estar con los hispanos, porque no sabía como portarme en su presencia. Ya no tengo miedo. Soy quien soy, y me puedo relajar porque me aceptan. De hecho, me enamoré con la gente hispana tanto que me casé con la mas bella mexicana que conozco, Ana Marisol.

Visit more international friends. I’ve been on several mission trips, but there is nothing like visiting another country with a friend. Most of the internationals I knew while studying at CFNI were upper middle class people like most of the Americans. When I went with my friends to their countries, I saw a part of the nation that I never did while on a mission trip because on missions we mostly focused on the poor. While with my friends, I could see the rich cultures, heritage and contributions of my friend’s country. If all one sees is the problems a nation faces, they are apt to be judgmental and close-minded.

I remember my first trip to Mexico. I went with friends. We went to Irapuato for a Marcos Barrientos concert called Encuentro 2003. I was the only gringo on the trip, and the only one who did not speak Spanish. While there, we stayed with the family of a girl named Belén. Her father was a professional in the city who had a beautiful home and all the comforts of the modern world. They treated us to a weekend of hospitality, rest and love. This experience gave me a respect and a love for the Mexican people that a mission trip could not have given me. You see, on a mission trip, you give what you have to the people you are visiting, but when you visit a friend, they give you what they have. Humbling and enlightening.

Log more hours in chapel and in prayer. When I think of the times that most impacted my life at CFNI, my mind always goes to the Institute Building (IB). This is where we held our chapel services and where many of our prayer groups would meet throughout the week. It was in the middle of the worship services that God would speak to me and it was in the middle of prayer that God would change me. The opportunities now to worship in such an uninhibited manner and to pray alongside so many ardent prayer warriors are few and far between. If I could go back, I wouldn’t miss a single Night of Worship, prayer vigil or chapel service.

Eat more Mexican food. Just try and find good Mexican food here in Ohio! Nothing like the Mexican food in Dallas, and certainly nothing like in Mexico.

Befriend more guys on my floor. During my time in college, I stayed in the GLT for about 3 years. It was an old Sheraton building with 10 floors. Perfect opportunity to meet some incredible men of God. Unfortunately, I allowed my insecurities and fears to keep me from engaging the amazing guys on my floor. They weren’t like me. They came from all different backgrounds and experiences, and that frightened me. I feared that they would reject me for being such a nerd. If I could go back, I would throw caution to the wind and invade their dorm rooms more often, have a dorm party or something!

I’m sure there are more things that I would do differently, but I can’t remember them now. What would you do differently if you would go back to your college days?