Keep Walking and Keep Smiling

  You know, I thought coming to New Orleans this summer would be easy. Now, this was an unconscious thought. On the outside I knew it would be challenging and full of new experiences, but somewhere deep inside I think my thoughts were something like this: "I've already done this, so I must know what I'm doing." " It's the same place as last year, with a few of the same people, so that won't be hard to adjust to again." "Comfort zone? What's that?" 

  I know, I know... You must think I'm crazy. What on earth was I thinking? Obviously I am now realizing how wrong I was. Relationships are hard; they take work and energy to grow and maintain them. It takes consistency. I am learning that I being consistent is very important. When I am consistent, I show I care. Being consistent shows that I am paying attention, it displays love. Christ is consistent. He never changes, there is no shadow of turning in Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

  I have this little Snoopy the dog figurine in my car, stuck on the dashboard. He is quietly smiling as he walks his merry way. He never changes (for obvious reasons...) and it reminds me to do the same. Keep walking. Keep smiling. Say hi to that person more than one time. Take the time to connect with the same volunteer several days in a row. Stay in the Word of God every day. Do what you said you would do. Keep smiling... Keep walking... 

  

Medical Lake, WA team

   I spent a lot of time at Pastor Darrell's church in the Lower Ninth Ward this week. I helped Ryan K. lead the jobsite, and worked with a team from Medical Lake, WA (near Spokane). It was fascinating to see the team immerse themselves in a totally new environment and seek to learn as much as they could. They were challenged to work in the hot/humid environment, to pray out loud, to share their stories with the group at lunch, and to see a culture far different than they were accustomed to living in. I pray and further challenge them to take all of it home and apply it there. Keep praying out loud, pray with people, seek God as He is in Truth and cast aside the weights that keep you from living fully for Him. 

  On Wednesday, Ryan K. organized a cookout and short Kid's Story training at Pastor Darrell's church. Both volunteer teams, many of the Reach Global Crisis Response staff members, and several members of the church gathered in the yet to be finished church. Ryan walked us through a type of training that takes a Bible story/passage of Scripture, breaks it down and repeats it through telling, acting, including it in a game, and engaging the audience in discussion. The training was great and I learned quite a bit, but what I enjoyed the most was just seeing the church used for its intended purpose. People from different parts of the city, even different parts of the world gathered in one place to praise God and have fellowship with each other. It was beautiful.

  This week brought lots of new experiences:

 -Learned how to replace a tensioner pulley in my CRV so I now finally have air conditioning in my car (Thanks Ryan!).

- On the jobsite I learned lots of new little skills like taping/mudding drywall, patching drywall, shooting the texture onto the walls and ceiling, how to use various tools, backing up a trailer, and most importantly...teach volunteers a skill when I barely (if at all) know how to do it. :) 

- I had coffee for the first time ( an actual full drink, not just a sip). For the record.. I enjoyed it. 

- We went on a swamp tour yesterday and I held a baby alligator. Not super fun, but they are interesting little creatures.

- On one of our prayer walks this week the team and I walked to a little grocery store in the Lower Ninth Ward where we met Miss Lily. She and her son run the grocery store/barber shop/snowball stand/convenience store, and she taught Mikayla (one of the volunteers) and I how to make snowballs! I'm not very good at it...but it was a fun experience!  

It has been a very good week. I continue to see God at work in me, the staff/interns around me, and in the volunteers. He is Lord, He is very good, and He is forever faithful. 

Prayer requests: 

*May I have clarity for the future: what the end of the summer looks like and also after the summer is over.

*For the interns to all draw close to each other and not be afraid to be open and honest with each other as we grow in our faith. 

*Time and wisdom as we prepare for the Challenge Conference. 

If you want to hear more stories (trust me I have plenty that I didn't share here) or just say hi, or pray with me, contact me! Phone, email, text, video chat, snail mail, or heck, just come visit! :) 

   

Celebrating and Being Stretched

Orientation!

 Isn't it funny how challenges and celebrations often come hand in hand? This week we are celebrating much, but also being stretched in different directions and forced to grow. 

Last weekend all but one of the interns arrived to begin their summer with Reach Global Crisis Response! Woohoo! I am very thankful to have these interns here and have the opportunity to pour into their lives. They have been going through the orientation process this week which has included an introduction to staff members, learning about the operations of the ministry, icebreaker activities, going out to a work site as a team, and learning about each other. It has been amazing to see how quickly God is working in their lives to bring them into one team/family unit and enable them to do life together. I praise the Lord for that! 

Workin hard

This has been a very challenging week for me. Though I am excited to be serving the interns and staff, going out on site, helping Mallory (the Intern Coordinator) with her job, and living life in Louisiana, I am still very new at being a leader. And not just a leader, but a servant leader. My focus this summer is to become a servant; someone who lives on behalf of others and arranges their life on behalf of others. But how do I live with others in mind, put Christ first, help out when needed, and still have time to take care of myself? These are all questions I am still working out the answer to. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a group of people here who are committed to making sure that our team stays healthy and focused on Christ. 

Basically it all comes down to one concept. I cannot do this without Jesus Christ. It is seriously impossible. No matter what anyone says, I do not have the talent, energy, focus, or mental aptitude to serve in this position. And God knows that. He called me here, provided for every need and has shown me ways to serve Him. He has and will continue to equip me. Because He is faithful, and I have surrendered to His authority. 

I found another Victoria!

As the summer continues I would greatly appreciate prayer for: 

...my relationship with God to be priority #1
...the focus to take care of myself and manage my time well so I don't burn out
...continued growth amongst the interns so they become a unified team.
...the teams of volunteers coming next week-openness, strength, conversations.

Thank you so much for being a part of my family and praying for me. 

Till next time!

The Lakefront

Icebreaker! You want your t-shirt? Better break the ice!

Roadtrip? Must Trust God

Pike's Peak, Colorado

    
   Four days is a long time. Especially in a car, driving across most of the United States, with no air conditioner. I know you all will agree when I say that traveling in such a manner with someone that you don't get along with would be absolutely awful. In fact you would probably look at me in bewilderment that I would contemplate such a thing! ...yeah, you're right. Bad idea. 

Texas

   Good thing I traveled with my Dad! He made the trip fun, safe, practical, and we still managed to have a few adventures (Like turning up a one way street in downtown Billings, MT....Oops). I love my dad, and I am very, very grateful that he took five days out of his busy schedule to drive across the country with me, only to fly home again right after arrival. I learned several things on our roadtrip. 1) Texas is stinkin HUGE. 2) Rush hour traffic on Friday in the Denver, CO area is really stressful. 3) Staying with friends is one of the best things ever. 4) When I am inside God's desire for my life there is an impenetrable calm that goes with me. 
     Thing #4 really surprised me. Up until a week or so before I left for Louisiana I was so stressed out. All the details that needed me to attend to them were threatening to overwhelm me. But I came to a place of surrender and gave it all back to God. I said, "God, I trust you. I TRUST YOU." And after that, even though I didn't have a car, or all my funding, or a solid road trip plan, I was calm. Deep inside I knew God would be my Provider and work out all those details. He asked me to go, and I said yes. He took care of the rest. (Good thing too...I would have completely messed it up)
   This week has been a good transition from home to Reach Global Crisis Response. I have had time to settle in, renew friendships and meet new friends. On Wednesday a group of staff went into the city to work on Pastor Darrel's church in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. (some of you may remember that I went to a church service there last summer. See previous post here.....) It was a rough transition to working in the heat....boy, it gets hot here! But I enjoyed putting myself to work and seeing the amazing progress the staff and teams have made since last summer. 

Pastor Darrel's Church

  
  The new interns all arrive this week. We have already welcomed Lily J. to our team and celebrated her birthday with her! The other four will arrive in the next few days, and another in a couple weeks. I am excited to welcome them all to Louisiana and see how they respond to this place and the people. 

Happy Bday, Lily!

Prayer Requests: 
-Safe arrival for all interns
-Patience and focus for us on the leadership side to run orientation next week for the interns
-That all of us would have hearts focused and ready for God's Spirit to move and make us into a family
-That I would continue to be open and challenge myself and others. 
-Energy! 

I will be updating my blog weekly throughout the summer, so check back and keep your eye on Facebook. 

Shalom!

















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