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! :)