What Really Matters?

The past few days I have wanted to update my blog. But I just couldn't figure out what to write on. Do I tell you about my travels? Do I tell you about my hardships and ask for prayer? Or do I think of something good to tell you? I just wasn't sure what I wanted to say.

But. Tonight. I know.

First, this past weekend the other interns came back into town. It is amazing what difference it makes to have a small group of people your own age that you can talk with, laugh with, relate to, and just fellowship with. I've come to realize that fellowship with others is important. Spending time with the Lord is vital, but being able to voice that with others and having people who can help answer those tough questions is so important. I don't like to be vulnerable. But honestly, who does? But who disagrees with me when I say that it's refreshing and needed?
I thank the Lord for the people in my life. You know who you are... thank you for following God's call and coming over here for the summer. I am truly going to miss you. You have been a great blessing in my life. More than you may know.

Philippians 1:3-6

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

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Secondly, ministry is not easy. It's not just playing games with kids. It's not just hanging out and laughing. It's no where near just fun and games. There were a lot of things these past two weeks that I found to be very discouraging. For some reason, the little things just consumed my mind. Funny how it works that way.

Week 2 - This is was Crawling through pancake mix under
ropes only the beginning of the relay.

We have a summer long event we call Epicicity. (Epi-kiss-ity) It is what it says. Epic. But there was a lot of planning and a lot of little things that just seemed to get in the way. Frustrations set in. The devil seeped in. My flesh got in the way. I simply lost focus.

Then, tonight happened. Youth Ministry happened. Kids were everywhere representing their teams. Smiling. Laughing. Getting dirty, sticky, gross and a brain freeze in the midst of it. None of the planning, stress and confusion mattered.

Life comes with challenges. Sometimes it seems that for every step you take, you end up going two steps back. But, praise the Lord he is there next to me. I am here for God's glory. My work is not in vain.

(From last week 1 of Epicicity)

 By the end of the night tonight, kids were so pumped. They wanted to continue playing, getting gross and giving out pancake batter, egg, syrup, and cherry gunk filled hugs. (How sweet...) It was the smiles on their faces that did it for me.
I just pray that they didn't just see a silly relay or a silly game but they saw something in us. Something different. Something brighter than they've ever seen. Something more loving and caring than they know. I pray they saw Christ.

What REALLY matters?

It's not the money. It's not the fame. It's not the glory. It's not because it seems 'easy.'

It's because He loves us. It's for the moment when the teen begins to trust you. It's for the moment when the teen realizes that God is real. It's for the moment when the teen gives you a hug. It's for the moment when the light bulb finally comes on. It's for the moment they ask whats different about you. Trust me, the list goes on............... To Him be the Glory.

I hope you are able to decipher my thoughts. All I know is that God is there reminding me of why I am here, why I am doing what I am doing and why He is worthy.

 

-- 2 Corinthians 4:17 -- 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Romania - Open My Eyes

I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since I returned from Romania. I am not sure why it took me this long to write a blog about the trip. There was so much that happened in just that one week.

First, I want to thank you for your prayers! Things happened that week that I did not expect. Things that I needed help with, things that I desperately needed prayer for. And man, I sure felt the prayers being sent my way! The theme for the week was "Open My Eyes" out of John 9.

How your prayers helped:

> I was put in charge of a small group... I have never led a small group ever before! It was a bit intimidating and I was unsure of how to lead it. As the first few sessions passed, I was disappointed in myself. It just wasn't going the way that I had hoped it would. I don't really know what I wanted it to go like, but I do know that it worked out. One night at Club (the session we had each night, led by Tara Leigh Cobble(music) and Jonathan Hill(speaker)) we sang a song, a song that I have heard many, many times before. The lyrics were:

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome and power

Our God, Our God... 

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

For some reason, these words spoke directly to ME. I was here to lead these kids, and yet I was the one learning. My eyes were opened! I prayed to God to speak through me. That night at small groups, the whole dynamic changed. My girls started opening up! I spent hours walking, talking and praying with some of them. The rest of the week was incredible.

All in His perfect timing. Praise the Lord things don't happen on my timing. The Lord was, once again, faithful to me!

Club

>I had asked you to focus your prayers on lives being changed and not so much on safety. Well, we all came back safe and LIVES WERE CHANGED! I can't tell you how many stories there are from the week about what the Lord had done. One of those... very close to my heart. One student, decided to rededicate her life to Christ! When she came to me and told me, I jumped for joy. (I'm not kidding!) My mouth was not big enough to express the smile that was on my heart. I could hear the Angels in heaven rejoicing. I cannot express to you just how excited I was! I have found that it is my passion in life to win people over for the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers.

What we did:

Our project this week was to build a playground at a school. We had 4 days to build and 1 day for celebration. Each day we had two groups, one was building and one was doing relational ministry. I was the assistant relational person and was put in charge of sports ministry -- couldn't have been more perfect! I would take the kids and play games with them and then would take them inside for a VBS lesson. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces was well worth the headache of trying to organize details with those of another language. 

>Sports fun:

 

Sprinkle, Sprinkle, Rain.

Their favorite game. It's similar to duck, duck, Goose. You have a cup with water and you sprinkle a little on the people in the circle. Then, whoever you want to chase you, you dump the rest of the cup on them! They loved it, and so did we! A very refreshing game on the HOT Romania days.
This became our favorite game as well.

(It somehow turned into a water fight at the end of each game.... I may or may not have had something to do with that.)

We played Red light Green light several times.

We also played soccer, basketball, frisbee, many different types of tag, and even just talked and laughed with them.

>VBS

We acted out a Bible story and then had a craft for the kids to do.

getting ready for the Bible story

craft time!

 

>Playground

Our site was FULL of rocks. One so large, we had to call the mayor to get a construction company to help us get it out! Here are a few pictures of our work.

Working hard with the electric tools. (to the left - the massive boulder  I mentioned earlier)

Relaxing in one of the 24 holes we dug.

      

Putting up the parallel bars.

The final product (minus the staining)

Our final day we had a ribbon cutting ceremony and carnival. The principal, P.E. teacher and our site leader all cut the ribbon together. The kids were able to officially enjoy the playground.

ribbon cutting

Bowling at the carnival

                                     Kids playing

One of the many kids we touched this week.

The whole Heidelberg Club Beyond Group

"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see."

John 9:25

Again, thank you for your prayers and your willingness to support this ministry.