So much has happened in the months since I last posted anything, it is almost too much to process and put into words. I suppose I need practice in this since most of my experiences in the coming months will be expressed in the form of email updates.
To say camp was life changing is almost an understatement. The things I learned and experienced while there helped to grow my relationship with Christ. I learned so much about ministry and just grew to love the idea of meeting people where they are in life and ministering to them there. Each day to site I brought a box full of games, face paint, crafts and other cheap miscellaneous supplies. That box and my students was it. We didn't use anything else. Just met people in a park, at a boys and girls club or nursing home. Talked with them, shared a smile, made a craft and shared who Jesus is. Who He is to us and who He could be to them. The Lord was at work this summer. I was able to witness more than 30 salvations on site (sos) moments throughout the summer. Watching someone come to understand God's grace for the first time is something that can never grow old. One of the things I learned the most this summer was just how simple this process really can be. Because, after getting to meet these people and spending 15 minutes with them the craft, the face paint, the sidewalk chalk doesn't matter anymore. You become invested. You care about them, and who they are and they desire to talk to you. And as you exchange life with one another suddenly they care about what you have to say about the Gospel. And the Gospel and its Message matters. When God's Word is spoken life change happens.
It was so encouraging to me throughout the summer to watch the Lord at work in the life of my students. I did so little. He did so much. Time and again He placed the exact right students into my class that needed to be there. Students who were running from a call on their life or were searching for the path He wanted for them. And by the end of the week, He showed them through ministry sites exactly where He wanted them. I served alongside some awesome students this year, who just blew me away with their passion for the Gospel. I served alongside students who were really timid and unsure and watched the Lord show them exactly how to minister to people. Students were saved, came to love Jesus more throughout their week there and made life changing decisions at camp. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my summer than watching this happen. That the Lord would even use me in His work is humbling.
This summer I was able to experience the Lord's provision in a way that I never had. There were many days during which the Lord intervened in my life and gave me energy. And, while that sounds crazy looking back at my summer I have no idea how I even did it most days. Working 16+ hour days for 8 weeks is out of control. And, yet not only did I do it but it was amazing. This can only be credited to the Lord. He also provided by giving me courage to do things completely out of my nature and completely out of my experience level. He gave me boldness I have never before experienced. I am humbled and overwhelmed by His grace.
One of the greatest blessings this summer was the amount of Christian community I was blessed to experience. Never have I been in such a group of strong believers who were my age. Passionate about the things of Christ and willing to sacrifice themselves to see His kingdom work accomplished. I fell in love with my Fuge family, and miss them dearly. I am so excited that I left camp with many close friends who will remain so as we continue life.
Now that I am home I have begun to process this summer and where I am headed next in life. I am excited to see how the Lord will use the things He taught me this summer in my next journey across the ocean. To see how His perfect plan will be knit together. Thankful for this chapter.
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