This year has been crazy- school, work, preschool, and perusing God. While school is a large part of my life, is retrospect this year school has been very small. Work has been the best thing God has done for me this year; my job is a place where I not only get paid, but have some wonderful friends there! I don't know what I would do without my friends at work!
Preschool has been a large part of this year too, helping Mrs. India with the church preschool and also volunteering at another preschool in town. A great conformation that God wants me working with children. Seeing these children instantly brings a smile to my face!
A few months ago I started praying about summer opportunities. I have always wanted to go to Africa and still do, but I don't feel that's where God wants me right now. I did some searching online through organizations for mission trips for the summer. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God wants us to go and share His love.
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)"
No, I don't think that everyone needs to travel the world in order to fulfill the Great Commission, but I also think that if God has put a desire in one's heart to travel and to serve Him then by all means do it! Being in one place hasn't ever really been my thing. This summer I really wanted to go over seas serving God in Africa. While God didn't open doors to Africa He did open a major door to Alaska. I did some random Google searches for summer camps because I love kids and want them to know God's love. I applied for this summer camp praying all the while that God will slam the doors in my face if this wasn't the place for me to be. Not only did God open the door of opportunity up the day I got the packet of information saying that I was accepted to the camp, I got a rebate from my school so I could book a flight.
The web site says, "Each summer young adults join us from all over the country to serve in active ministry at Kodiak Baptist Mission. These individuals are asked to leave their normal day to day routine, walk by faith and become short term Missionaries to the island of Kodiak. Our Summer Staff take on the role of counselors, instructors and student. They staff Island Summer Adventures, a dynamic child care alternative for families with children entering grades 1st through 8th. They spend much of their day interacting with these children as they share and show their love for Jesus Christ. Camp runs summer long, Monday through Friday beginning each morning at 7:30 AM and concluding at 5:30 PM. Staff plan activities, bible based mentor times and instruct a variety of camps that help lead kids in the adventure of a Christ filled life.
Staff are also students. While spending five hours a day in active ministry to the children they also commit three hours daily in prayer, study, discipleship, and Christ centered training. Our goal is to help develop these individual’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ by equipping them with a host of resources that will serve as tools in their life long Christian journey."
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! I need more Jesus and I think this is going to be an amazing opportunity to spend time with Him and people that love Him!
So as of now everything is working out wonderfully! I leave May 25th for three months! I can't wait to see God work in the lives of the children. This is not a paid position so I am excited to see how God provides; He is faithful so this isn't a question of will He, but how will He?
