Last week, I had the priveledge to work with the VBS at Helen First Baptist church. Stephanie and I lead the kiddos around at HFBC while my fellow summer missionaries worked a day camp with the sweet family mission team we had with us. VBS at HFBC was a ton of fun! I have never seen a VBS so elaborate and well planned as this one was. It was really awesome. The groups weren't separated by age, so I had a group that consisted of a 6th grader, a 5th grader, two 4th graders, a 1st grader, and a precious kindergertener. They were so adorable! I thoroughly enjoyed spending the week with them and with the Helen First family. Overall, VBS was a tremendous success. A number of kids gave their lives to Jesus and so many more had seeds planted that God will send more people to water. I was just glad to be a part of the whole process.
On Sunday when Stephanie handed me the schedule for this week, I said "I don't want that." It looked so crazy! There were so many words! (haha) So I was totally expecting this week to be super-insane-crazy kinda week and it turned out really well (like it always does). We had a really awesome group from Camilla, Ga, that had a ton of people of all ages (13 months to 92 years!) doing a million different things on the other side of the mountain, in and around Hiawassee. They held two day camps as well as construction projects on that side of the mountain with Matt and Colton. We also had a youth group from Trion, Ga, that we got to work with that we thoroughly enjoyed. The youth groups we host are quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of the job. It may have something to do with the fact that I had never been on a mission trip until college and that these kids are on mission in middle and high school. I'm so encouraged to see people that young serving God. They get to see what it looks like to give up some of their time to serve others at a young age, and that will develop in them a heart for missions. I am only beginning to realize how vitally important that is and it saddens me that it took me so long to see. They may have been crazy (as all youth groups are) and a little hesitant at times, but they were here. And that's what's important.
Wednesday night, Joanna and I stayed on the other side of the mountain in order to visit an assisted living facility with Camilla on Thursday. The coolest part is that we got to stay at a hiker hostel! (Now the title makes sense, doesn't it?) There's this beautiful couple that ministers to Appalachain Trail thru-hikers during the hiker season (mid-February through April in this part of the country) by letting them stay for free in their hostel, cooking them breakfast, and washing their clothes. It is a really magnificent way for them to share the love of Christ to thousands of people each year. Not only are these hikers subjected to the absolute glory of God's creation as they hike through the mountains, but they are shown a tangible representation of the love Christ displayed on the cross. Lennie and Gary are real servants and some of the most joyful people I have met. Miss Lennie just shone the joy she had within her. It was beautiful.
As if that wasn't cool enough, their hostel is located in a blueberry patch! They have an organic farm, blueberry patch, goats, and donkies. But these aren't just any donkies. They are called Jerusalem donkies because in their fur, they have the shape of a cross on their backs. Talk about a conversation starter! I want a donkey for a pet. So stinkin cool!
For the past two days, we've been getting ready for this upcoming week. The fourth of July is monstrous in Helen, so we have tons of ministry events planned. We are holding two carnivals Monday, with face painting, balloon animals, popcorn, snow cones, the works. This week, we also have a group called Youth on Mission here working with us, which is approximately 45 zillion teenagers (ok, more like 120) so it's gonna be nuts! [It's kinda like a World Changers kind of deal where the organization plans the trip and youth groups sign up to go. They'll have worship services and do all their ministry activities through GMRM] We have six day camps, several construction projects, and a bunch of evening performances. Phew! We better take a deep breath. But I am so beyond excited. I am fully confident that God is going to do amazing things this week. The devil is working too hard to tear us down.
I have more to say than I can write, but I appreciate you reading all of this! There is so much more I want to express, but I'll just have to save it. Please be in prayer for us this week, for we're going to be physically and spiritually exhausted. I know we'll be stretched and challenged, but the opportunities to share the gospel are going to be unmatched this week. I can only do it in His strength, which is more than sufficient! Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement! I love you!
H.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
on mentors
Yesterday, I learned one of the names for God listed in the Bible.
13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” -Genesis 22:13-14
Yahweh Yireh is Hebrew for "The LORD will provide." And that is exactly what He has done. He has showed me so much recently about His provision and sovereignty in my life. Even just my being here this summer is His great provision. He knew what I stood in need of long before I existed. He orchestrated this summer perfectly. One magnificent way that He has provided for me this summer is the amazing people I am blessed to work with every day. Especially two particular young women.
Not only has He blessed me tremendously with new friends, but he has put in my life two incredible women of God that have already worked hard to challenge me, encourage me, and show me what a life after Christ's looks like. These young ladies are really living it. They love Jesus. They follow Him. Their lives reflect the love they have been given. And that is really refreshing.
I know you're thinking "isn't that what all your Christian friends do?" Well, I'd like to say so, but I certainly know I don't live my life that way all the time. I know that there are times (more frequent than I'd like to admit) that my life is consumed with the cares of this world, worries for the future, or just my own petty desires. So I know that if I don't take up my cross daily and follow Him and live a life like His, I'm certainly not inspiring others to do the same.
I'm not saying they're perfect. Because no one is. And I don't want to praise them above Christ, for I know that their lives are inspiring because they reflect His. But these women have definitely done a lot (more than they know, I'm sure) to disciple me and show me that it's possible. It is possible to live your life in a way that glorifies God. It is possible to be a young woman with a heart after God. It is possible. And they encourage me in that. And I praise God for their presence in my life. He has truly blessed me. He knew what I needed and gave it to me in the form of these two mentors. My prayer is that I may live a life that does the same for others.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
impacting eternity
Well it's been some time since I've posted, but I've been running full speed for the past two weeks. It has been wonderfully crazy.
Our first team that came to work with us was a middle school choir from Chattanooga. They sang in several places and cleaned the river with us, and were just fun to hang around. It was my first river clean up, and I volunteered to walk in the river. It was fun, but I'm not sure how effective we were. I was more focused on staying vertical than picking up trash, but the kids were really good sports. They laughed and screamed and cleaned as well. We also had a church group come and do a day camp in two of the mobile home parks early this week. They were a really sweet group from Manchester, Ga, that were a pleasure to get to know. They had a lot of love for these kids and their families and did an awesome work in those communities.
Last Saturday we went to Walmart and saw a crazy group of teenagers (and a few crazy adults) wreaking havoc in the parking lot. Turns out, they were our next group! We knew then that the folks from Dawson St. Baptist were gonna be a riot. We had so much fun getting to know these kids and their leaders. They put on a day camp in four different parks this week, so we got a chance to really get to know some of them. The team that I worked with was at Pete's Park in downtown Helen, and we only had kids show up on one of the five days. But they were not discouraged! They went to the other sites and lent their hands and their hearts where they were needed. It was great to see them so willing to serve and love these kids. In fact, God used these kids in a mighty way. At two different day camps on Thursday, a child came to know Christ! These kids were open and willing to share Jesus and talk to the children about Him, and as a result God's Kingdom grew. I was floored. It was so awesome. To hear them tell the stories was incredible. We went and hung out with them Thursday night, and got to have some fun and worship with them. God really moved in that group. It was so beautiful to see Him change hearts. I was really encouraged by this group of young people seeing what God can do and get a taste for it.
They performed in Helen last night, and had the opportunity to minister to the people walking by. One girl shared the gospel with a whole family. Only God knows what will come of that seed she planted. It was also really great to watch them love on kids as they tied balloon animals and paint faces. I was encouraged by their boldness to talk to people. I also just really liked them! I don't think I was expecting to love the youth this much. They were super fun and we were so sad to see them go home. But they did an awesome work this week and I pray they will carry home that hunger for God's power and that I will be able to see them again!!
This group also washed windows with us this week, which is probably one of my favorite outreach things we do. We go to the shops in Helen, wash their windows for free, and then ask if they have any prayer requests. Its a really un-intimidating way to ask them some kind of spiritual question, and we also get to show we love them. Thankfully, we so this a lot, so we'll get to know some of the shopowners pretty well (those are going to be the cleanest windows in the world come August).
Next week, Joanna, Colton, Matt, and I will be leading our own day camp and a resort called Mountain Lakes. We designed it ourselves, and will be doing it all alone! It's our first one, but thankfully we've had some experience this week with Dawson St so we can kind of see what works and what doesn't. I'm excited! We're getting our crafts together, and finishing up some last minute details, but it's going to be great! We also have a group coming in tomorrow that will do some service projects and programs with us. It's gonna be another crazy week, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Hopefully I'll be able to post more often, that way I don't forget things and the posts aren't a million years long. So much awesome has happened in the past two weeks, I definitely can't fit it all in here! I appreciate all your prayers and the fact that you're reading. :)
Love!
H.
Our first team that came to work with us was a middle school choir from Chattanooga. They sang in several places and cleaned the river with us, and were just fun to hang around. It was my first river clean up, and I volunteered to walk in the river. It was fun, but I'm not sure how effective we were. I was more focused on staying vertical than picking up trash, but the kids were really good sports. They laughed and screamed and cleaned as well. We also had a church group come and do a day camp in two of the mobile home parks early this week. They were a really sweet group from Manchester, Ga, that were a pleasure to get to know. They had a lot of love for these kids and their families and did an awesome work in those communities.
Last Saturday we went to Walmart and saw a crazy group of teenagers (and a few crazy adults) wreaking havoc in the parking lot. Turns out, they were our next group! We knew then that the folks from Dawson St. Baptist were gonna be a riot. We had so much fun getting to know these kids and their leaders. They put on a day camp in four different parks this week, so we got a chance to really get to know some of them. The team that I worked with was at Pete's Park in downtown Helen, and we only had kids show up on one of the five days. But they were not discouraged! They went to the other sites and lent their hands and their hearts where they were needed. It was great to see them so willing to serve and love these kids. In fact, God used these kids in a mighty way. At two different day camps on Thursday, a child came to know Christ! These kids were open and willing to share Jesus and talk to the children about Him, and as a result God's Kingdom grew. I was floored. It was so awesome. To hear them tell the stories was incredible. We went and hung out with them Thursday night, and got to have some fun and worship with them. God really moved in that group. It was so beautiful to see Him change hearts. I was really encouraged by this group of young people seeing what God can do and get a taste for it.
They performed in Helen last night, and had the opportunity to minister to the people walking by. One girl shared the gospel with a whole family. Only God knows what will come of that seed she planted. It was also really great to watch them love on kids as they tied balloon animals and paint faces. I was encouraged by their boldness to talk to people. I also just really liked them! I don't think I was expecting to love the youth this much. They were super fun and we were so sad to see them go home. But they did an awesome work this week and I pray they will carry home that hunger for God's power and that I will be able to see them again!!
This group also washed windows with us this week, which is probably one of my favorite outreach things we do. We go to the shops in Helen, wash their windows for free, and then ask if they have any prayer requests. Its a really un-intimidating way to ask them some kind of spiritual question, and we also get to show we love them. Thankfully, we so this a lot, so we'll get to know some of the shopowners pretty well (those are going to be the cleanest windows in the world come August).
Next week, Joanna, Colton, Matt, and I will be leading our own day camp and a resort called Mountain Lakes. We designed it ourselves, and will be doing it all alone! It's our first one, but thankfully we've had some experience this week with Dawson St so we can kind of see what works and what doesn't. I'm excited! We're getting our crafts together, and finishing up some last minute details, but it's going to be great! We also have a group coming in tomorrow that will do some service projects and programs with us. It's gonna be another crazy week, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Hopefully I'll be able to post more often, that way I don't forget things and the posts aren't a million years long. So much awesome has happened in the past two weeks, I definitely can't fit it all in here! I appreciate all your prayers and the fact that you're reading. :)
Love!
H.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
majesty.
There is one thing about this summer of which I'm certain. Of all my friends serving as summer missionaries, doing wonderful things for the kingdom of God, I am serving in the most beautiful place. No offense to the people I love all over the country and the world and the great places God has them in (for I know they are where He has sent them and He will bless their efforts there), but these mountains are beyond beautiful. I've always loved the mountains, and would rather be here than just about anywhere else, but I am so blessed to be able to spend my whole summer serving in them.
One of our GMRM shirts says "Do you know the Mountain Maker?" on the back with a reference to Romans 1:20 which says, "For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse." These glorious scenes that the people of this area are exposed to everyday are screaming the majesty of the God that formed them. I am simply blown away by their ability to take my breath away everytime. God's indescribable glory is proclaimed in this place, by something as simple as the trees, lakes, and mountains around us. What an incredible reminder everyday of my smallness and His greatness.
One of our GMRM shirts says "Do you know the Mountain Maker?" on the back with a reference to Romans 1:20 which says, "For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse." These glorious scenes that the people of this area are exposed to everyday are screaming the majesty of the God that formed them. I am simply blown away by their ability to take my breath away everytime. God's indescribable glory is proclaimed in this place, by something as simple as the trees, lakes, and mountains around us. What an incredible reminder everyday of my smallness and His greatness.
Even fog coming to meet the tip of a mountain, or the a peak reflected in a lake are God's creation singing His praise. Tonight as we were driving home, we saw the clouds turning orange and pink as the sun began to set with the mountains framing them. All I could say was wow. Not only does the beauty of the area take my breath away, but the glory of the One that made them makes me pause. I pray that as we minister in this amazing place all summer, others will see this creation and do the same, in awe of its Creator.
Take a look around tomorrow. On your way to church, work, the grocery store, or wherever, just look. Even in a city or suburb, God's creation is magnifying His name. Just glance at the sky and see the beauty all around you. If we don't sing His praises, even the rocks will cry out. And they are doing so now. Just look.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
and so it begins.
Well, the summer has officially started! I'm actually in Helen, moved into the cottage I'll be living in all summer, and meeting with my ministry team. I am anxious to get started with the work and see what God has in store.
Monday through this morning, I was at an orientation in Toccoa, Ga, for all the summer missionaries serving in Georgia. There were 19 of us, and that was the first opportunity I had to meet my teammates! I'll be serving with two guys (Colton and Matthew) and one other girl (Joanna, my roommate) this summer, and I am already pumped about the way God is bringing our team together. We have bonded quickly, and I know God is going to prosper these relationships as we serve. My supervisors, Keith and Stephanie, are just awesome. They are both so laid back and funny, and totally on fire for the Lord and their work here. You can tell after being with either of them for five minutes how much they love God and how devoted they are to His work in this area. They are a huge inspiration and just really fun to be around!
I'm already beginning to approach those "classic summer missions" experiences my other summer missionary friends have been teasing me about. I know whole-heartedly that I am going to be challenged this summer, but it's started in some interesting ways. For instance, at the hotel we were in for orientation, there was a cockroach that was roughly the size of my face that we could not conquer. Also, when we got to our cottage, Joanna discovered a furry visitor that had come to an unfortunate end under our refrigerator. We could only see two legs and a disgusting little tail sticking out. (EW!)
But on the serious side, I know I'm going to be stretched. One of the assignments from orientation was that we establish at least one personal goal for the summer that will grow us spiritually. Without much thought, I knew what God was going to teach me (at least one tiny part of it). I'm going to be called upon (within the week!) to share Jesus daily. Many times a day. My shameful lack of experience in evangelism is definitely something that's going to change. But I know I won't do it in my strength. God will lead me through it.
I'm scared, intimidated, overwhelmed, but so excited. I know that I am right where I need to be this summer, and I can't wait to go where He sends me. I will have to lean on Him like never before, and I know that He will lift me up and give me the endurance and courage to carry on.
Well, I haven't even really gotten started and I have a lot to say! That may be a warning for any of you that want to follow this blog ;)
My supplication to you readers: that you would be...
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perserverance and supplication for all saints, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." - Ephesians 6:18-19
Love!
H.
Monday through this morning, I was at an orientation in Toccoa, Ga, for all the summer missionaries serving in Georgia. There were 19 of us, and that was the first opportunity I had to meet my teammates! I'll be serving with two guys (Colton and Matthew) and one other girl (Joanna, my roommate) this summer, and I am already pumped about the way God is bringing our team together. We have bonded quickly, and I know God is going to prosper these relationships as we serve. My supervisors, Keith and Stephanie, are just awesome. They are both so laid back and funny, and totally on fire for the Lord and their work here. You can tell after being with either of them for five minutes how much they love God and how devoted they are to His work in this area. They are a huge inspiration and just really fun to be around!
I'm already beginning to approach those "classic summer missions" experiences my other summer missionary friends have been teasing me about. I know whole-heartedly that I am going to be challenged this summer, but it's started in some interesting ways. For instance, at the hotel we were in for orientation, there was a cockroach that was roughly the size of my face that we could not conquer. Also, when we got to our cottage, Joanna discovered a furry visitor that had come to an unfortunate end under our refrigerator. We could only see two legs and a disgusting little tail sticking out. (EW!)
But on the serious side, I know I'm going to be stretched. One of the assignments from orientation was that we establish at least one personal goal for the summer that will grow us spiritually. Without much thought, I knew what God was going to teach me (at least one tiny part of it). I'm going to be called upon (within the week!) to share Jesus daily. Many times a day. My shameful lack of experience in evangelism is definitely something that's going to change. But I know I won't do it in my strength. God will lead me through it.
I'm scared, intimidated, overwhelmed, but so excited. I know that I am right where I need to be this summer, and I can't wait to go where He sends me. I will have to lean on Him like never before, and I know that He will lift me up and give me the endurance and courage to carry on.
Well, I haven't even really gotten started and I have a lot to say! That may be a warning for any of you that want to follow this blog ;)
My supplication to you readers: that you would be...
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perserverance and supplication for all saints, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." - Ephesians 6:18-19
Love!
H.
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