Let me tell ya a story...
The past two weeks have both been exciting, heart changing, tiresome, and character testing.
In good ways and in trial-ing ways.
Two weeks ago, today, I left for Haiti. It was my second trip and I was so excited to go. I miss it so dearly already. I miss my boys, the people, the worship at the haitian church, the haitian time and no schedule, the smells, the heat, the love. It's by far one of my favorite places ever. I usually say, my body is here...but my heart is there. Going to a 3rd world country really does something to someone's heart. Last year, I got my first experience and lemme tell ya I had dreams about haiti fro at LEAST 2 months after I'd left. Last year, God broke me down a few days before I left. Which was much needed. However, this year...He didn't. My heart was prepared to see my boys again..but not to do the work I was called to do in Haiti. So, with disappointment hitting me my second day there...it was time to be broken down again. So, God is good and broke me down my 3rd night in Haiti. Praise Him. The rest of the week was smooth, tiring, filled with joy and love, and rewarding. We had a strong team this year and I was so sad to leave my boys. I love you, Wilma and Iglesias.
One reason I haven't sulked and bawled as much this year is because I had something big to do 2 days after I got home from Haiti, chaperone/shadow at Centri-kid camp. It was the only thing keeping me going, even though I knew it'd be another long week, because I knew I had a job to do. And I'd been given an incredible opportunity to be given the responsibility to go on the trip. I'm a rising Junior in Highschool...not everyone gets that opportunity. If God hadn't changed my life from when I was a camper until now, I definitely wouldn't have gotten that chance. He's been doing some awesome things in my life and I'm proud of that. I'd rather be known for my relationship with God and be respected by multitudes of adults than be just another half-hearted teenager who talks about God when the "time is right." He is the center of my life. ANYWAY... at the beginning of this past week, I was tired but ready to go. I had an awesome group of 3rd grade girls to chaperone and a few awesome adult chaperones to help and hang out with. ha. too much fun. I learned to loved those kids and they loved me. I got to camp and got briefed by this staffer named Blake aka Blakely. At first I wasn't too sure how it was gonna go. But I was one of the only ones who knew what they had gotten themselves into. I was still pumped. I went to every staff meeting I knew about. The morning ones were my favorite. Quiet time and devos with the staffers...the bomb. Jessica was a great director and the staff was awesome. Each morning I asked the Lord to lay one word on my heart to focus on for that day. The first day was strength and the 2nd day I was debating between endurance and patience..and finally settled on patience. Boy, I'm glad I did cause the Lord sho did bless that day. I asked Jess. if i could share the verse I had some upon that morning..Colossians 1:10-12. It covered just about everything necessary for the leaders and staffers of camp that week. Not only did I get to share where my heart is in my relationship with God but I also got to encourage a bunch of college kids and get their respect. To God be the Glory!
I was walking with Blakely and talking to her and she asked if I had just graduated college. I said.."ha, well, I actully am a rising Junior in High school." to which her response was freezing her steps and saying, "you are blowing my mind." I got to shadow Lindsey and Madisson this past week, it was very fun. I also got to help fill waterballons till 1:15 in the morning to get ready for OMC and pack with the staffers so they could move out to their next camp location (texas) after the closing celebration Friday morning. I considered it an honor and privelege to help. If that's what I'm going to do one day...I gotta gain the respect, serve, and learn now. My goal was to serve and make the burden easier on them because I know it's a tiring job.
Well, my favorite staffer for the week was Blake(ly). She was really cool and never lost energy. She was the Rec leader and did such a great job. The only time she showed any weariness was at the 10:15p staff meetings when she just looked exhausted. I pray that the Lord continues to give her unlimited energy and joy as she enriches kids lives and continues to grow in her relationship with Him. I wish I coulda traveled with that team. They were pretty cool. And I wish I coulda gotten to know Blake(ly) a little better, maybe some day.
well, that's been my first couple weeks of summer...it's gonna be pretty boring now, besides getting ready to lead 5A at VBS in a couple weeks. Lord has blessed me with a servant heart. And I know I'm not an average teenager. I'm proud of it.
Thanks
In good ways and in trial-ing ways.
Two weeks ago, today, I left for Haiti. It was my second trip and I was so excited to go. I miss it so dearly already. I miss my boys, the people, the worship at the haitian church, the haitian time and no schedule, the smells, the heat, the love. It's by far one of my favorite places ever. I usually say, my body is here...but my heart is there. Going to a 3rd world country really does something to someone's heart. Last year, I got my first experience and lemme tell ya I had dreams about haiti fro at LEAST 2 months after I'd left. Last year, God broke me down a few days before I left. Which was much needed. However, this year...He didn't. My heart was prepared to see my boys again..but not to do the work I was called to do in Haiti. So, with disappointment hitting me my second day there...it was time to be broken down again. So, God is good and broke me down my 3rd night in Haiti. Praise Him. The rest of the week was smooth, tiring, filled with joy and love, and rewarding. We had a strong team this year and I was so sad to leave my boys. I love you, Wilma and Iglesias.
One reason I haven't sulked and bawled as much this year is because I had something big to do 2 days after I got home from Haiti, chaperone/shadow at Centri-kid camp. It was the only thing keeping me going, even though I knew it'd be another long week, because I knew I had a job to do. And I'd been given an incredible opportunity to be given the responsibility to go on the trip. I'm a rising Junior in Highschool...not everyone gets that opportunity. If God hadn't changed my life from when I was a camper until now, I definitely wouldn't have gotten that chance. He's been doing some awesome things in my life and I'm proud of that. I'd rather be known for my relationship with God and be respected by multitudes of adults than be just another half-hearted teenager who talks about God when the "time is right." He is the center of my life. ANYWAY... at the beginning of this past week, I was tired but ready to go. I had an awesome group of 3rd grade girls to chaperone and a few awesome adult chaperones to help and hang out with. ha. too much fun. I learned to loved those kids and they loved me. I got to camp and got briefed by this staffer named Blake aka Blakely. At first I wasn't too sure how it was gonna go. But I was one of the only ones who knew what they had gotten themselves into. I was still pumped. I went to every staff meeting I knew about. The morning ones were my favorite. Quiet time and devos with the staffers...the bomb. Jessica was a great director and the staff was awesome. Each morning I asked the Lord to lay one word on my heart to focus on for that day. The first day was strength and the 2nd day I was debating between endurance and patience..and finally settled on patience. Boy, I'm glad I did cause the Lord sho did bless that day. I asked Jess. if i could share the verse I had some upon that morning..Colossians 1:10-12. It covered just about everything necessary for the leaders and staffers of camp that week. Not only did I get to share where my heart is in my relationship with God but I also got to encourage a bunch of college kids and get their respect. To God be the Glory!
I was walking with Blakely and talking to her and she asked if I had just graduated college. I said.."ha, well, I actully am a rising Junior in High school." to which her response was freezing her steps and saying, "you are blowing my mind." I got to shadow Lindsey and Madisson this past week, it was very fun. I also got to help fill waterballons till 1:15 in the morning to get ready for OMC and pack with the staffers so they could move out to their next camp location (texas) after the closing celebration Friday morning. I considered it an honor and privelege to help. If that's what I'm going to do one day...I gotta gain the respect, serve, and learn now. My goal was to serve and make the burden easier on them because I know it's a tiring job.
Well, my favorite staffer for the week was Blake(ly). She was really cool and never lost energy. She was the Rec leader and did such a great job. The only time she showed any weariness was at the 10:15p staff meetings when she just looked exhausted. I pray that the Lord continues to give her unlimited energy and joy as she enriches kids lives and continues to grow in her relationship with Him. I wish I coulda traveled with that team. They were pretty cool. And I wish I coulda gotten to know Blake(ly) a little better, maybe some day.
well, that's been my first couple weeks of summer...it's gonna be pretty boring now, besides getting ready to lead 5A at VBS in a couple weeks. Lord has blessed me with a servant heart. And I know I'm not an average teenager. I'm proud of it.
Thanks
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