So. I think God's surprised me with how much He's taught me through our volunteers in the last week. It's interesting; we went from a group of high school students last week to a group ranging from 25 to 70 in age. All the same, it's been wonderful seeing them come in with passion and excitement to serve the Lord. Their willingness and zeal is renewing, for the most part. It has been an adjustment being placed to pour out to the groups and the community... and I think that's what is making this week so long. After pouring out and pouring out and pouring out God's love and the gospel without time to really pour into ourselves, we're all drained. All of us are lacking energy on a grand scale, and it's getting rather terrible. Everyone's getting sick again, tension is rising in the missionary house (even if just a little bit) for the first time, and I feel like this is the time when the devil really can take advantage of our exhaustion if we aren't careful. Well, I guess the point of that story is that prayer for my team as we've made it through half of our summer here (boo) would be greatly appreciated.
On a different note, it has been odd to me seeing the teams come and go. They're here for such a short period of time and when they go, I guess it strikes me as strange that I'll likely never see them again. The group of high schoolers last week was our first team at Joy, and just some of the things they said to me really blessed me... and it kinda broke my heart walking into the gym on Friday and not seeing their excitement to see us and start ministry. Sad.
One of the girls I got to serve a lot with in clothing closet was so sweet. I taught her a few phrases in Spanish so she could feel a little bit more on the level of the community, just a few instructions for them, and finally "God bless you" as they walk out. Well, at the end of the week, we were talking as a group about their favorite parts of the week, and she spoke up and started talking about how she told an elderly lady "God bless" on senior day, and the lady kissed her on the cheek. I don't know, just seeing the simple things you don't think about be transformed into things that really make a difference for someone unexpectedly just rocks my socks. How awesome is our God?
In any case, it was good to be able to have some more helping hands here. Last week, we had a chance to do some service projects for our homebounds that we don't normally have the staff to leave Joy for. One morning, we tackled a lawn that strongly resembled a jungle-waist high grass, a bucket filled with goodness knows what covered in maggots, large leafy plants... It's funny. I just still haven't trained my mind to understand that those houses exist in the US. Obviously, I have gotten used to working with the impoverished community (and I love it more than anything), but my silly head starts to feel like I'm in a town in El Salvador or Ecuador when I enter some of the neighborhoods here. Most don't have air conditioning. Lots of the houses around Joy put aluminum foil in the windows to block the sun and cool down their homes. I mean, these houses are on the level of what I saw in poor South American communities. We were at a church on Sunday talking to a young adults class about what we do and who we are, and one man raised his hand, asking if this poverty really existed 15 miles from their church-whose main building alone could most likely house all of the families we see at kids club each week-and more.
Back to the groups, though. It was a blessing getting the chance to step outside our walls briefly and serve in such a visible way in the community.
Other than the groups... what else has been going on...
Well, Saturday was adoption day, where we got to be "adopted" by wonderful people who contribute to our ministries. We went in pairs and got to do all kinds of things. My sister was Emily, who happens to serve with me at Joy (she's lovely :), and our "parents" took us to the Woodlands, a really nice mall ish area. They got us Starbucks, gave us Target gift cards, got us full mani pedis, took us to PF Chang, Sonic, and a movie.
As lovely as it was, it was truly a culture shock. I mean, it was wonderful, not complaining at all... but the people I saw were just so different. It's going to be odd going home and readjusting to my environment. I kinda don't want to. I guess Macon won't be that much of a stretch, though.. kinda. Macon is probably better of than here, actually. By a long shot.
Anyway, teen club on Monday was interesting. It was my turn to lead the girls' Bible study, and we're doing a "series" of sorts on how to be more Christlike, and well, it went in a different direction as per usual. I should just get used to that, haha. :) Anyway, we were talking about trusting God to bring us through everything, no matter how hard, and my co-leader asked the girls if they believed that God can bring us through anything, and she said no. Which, in a way, was a blessing... it's hard enough to get those girls to talk. I don't know. A few girls expressed that they are worried about God providing money.. and it just makes me sad that they have to deal with that. At the same time, though, it reminded me of the passage about God providing for the lilies and the sparrows-and if He provides for them, how we ought to trust Him to provide everything we need. It's something I need to be reminded of every day... I guess even to trust that God can provide for the needs of the community, and I don't have to worry for them.
Hm. Oh! We discovered that Pedrito, Juan, and Regina speak English. For the past four weeks, we've all been struggling to communicate with them in Spanish, and just randomly, they started spouting out English. It's real weird, haha. I was playing restaurant with Regina on Monday, and all of the sudden, she looked at me and said, "I bake you cake." I mean, it's broken, but compared to what she usually speaks like, I almost fell over in shock. Not expected at all. I have to say, I have an affinity for Spanish speaking munchkins.. but I'm glad they're learning. And ashamed it took all seven of us this long to realize this...
Oh! And Luís is back! Yay. :) And David, a 7 year old, accepted Christ yesterday! Woot :)
Well, I need to go sleep, but please pray that:
-our team is renewed in Spirit and in energy
-we can continue to pour into both the groups and the community
-we can all focus on why we're here
-the kids' parents won't keep them from coming because of the hurricane (which we're really only getting the rain from)
I love you guys and I'll try to be better about keeping up the cute stories and the goings ons of Houston!
grace and peace
prayin mucho!
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