I’m absolutely in love with this place.

I love the people, I love the beach, and most of all, I love the mission God has put before us. I’m crazy about waking up every single day with a purpose. Its not just any kind of purpose though; this one is eternal, and its the kind that leaves me unbelievably exhausted every night because I’ve spent the day pour myself into something wonderful. Sometimes I have to sit back and wonder how the Father could have asked someone like me to be a part of something so incredible. I just doesn’t make sense.

Its been a crazy week for sure. I met some sweet little 7th grade friends, screamed for my team until my voice was gone, and successfully taught 10 girls a dance to an African worship song (you don’t even understand what a feat this was.) I heard some sad stories of abandonment, then watched as God liberated a precious 12 year old from the bitterness and confusion of his adoption. My Father is incredible.

Our first week ended with a wrap around weekend, which is a complicated way of saying that we didn’t get a day off. Another church came in to do a modified version of Fuge for a few days, and our staff assisted with Rec and track times. I have to admit, I wasn’t terribly excited about braving the heat on my day off to lead a bunch of kids I didn’t know in games I was already burnt out on. Its times like this God always seems to give me an attitude adjustment.

At the end of Rec Rally, one of the students in my group came to tell me that the Swamp crossing game really spoke to him. The message of the activity is that sometimes God calls us to do something and we don’t really know how we’re going to get there, but we have to step out on faith. This kid said that he had been wrestling with a call to ministry, but he was scared because he was so young and didn’t really know what it would look like in practice. He said that through that game, God showed him that all he needed was surrender; the rest will fall into place. Maybe it meant so much to me because it was so unexpected. Really though, I think its just because I’m struggling with the very same thing.

The week ended with a bang. Poor Chang gave us all quite a scare when he collided with a little boy on the Rec Field late last night, knocking him out cold. With little information about his condition, the staff gathered together to pray and wait for some kind of news. At 2am, we finally received word that our friend would be just fine. I love the love that has already formed between each of us. It was so evident last night.

Tomorrow begins week 2, with almost double the number of students as last week. I’ve been struggling to feel as though I’m making an impact on kids who haven’t really seen the harder side of life yet. At 13 years old, you usually don’t have enough life experience to know how desperately you need a savior. I can’t figure out how to challenge these friends to deepen their walk with the Lord.

I’m exhausted. I’m excited. More than anything, I’m in love with my savior.