WEEK SIX

So I survived the first real week of YouthWorks! And now I we are in full swing with the second and I am loving it! God has been so faithful to our staff through these first weeks and I really feel that He is guiding us more than we know. It is interesting to see new kids every week and get to experience the different dynamics that they each bring to the week. Last week was a little bit more laid back and casual, as this week is a little bit more upbeat and in your face. One group we have this week is from MN, and they are crazy! They are loud, and on fire for God, and it shows. CLUB time is so energetic because of the energy they bring to worship when they sing. It is great to see kids so excited to be on a mission trip, especially a mission trip that is led by us. One thing I have also noticed about this week is how well the kids engage during the messages and devotions. They are very attentive and it seems like they are really listening to the words and not just sitting there. That is very encouraging for me as a speaker, but also very intimidating as well. I have to be very careful as to what I say because these kids are trusting in me. Something I have been praying for a lot lately is that God would take my words and make them His own. I don't want anybody to look at me as a good speaker, but instead, I want them to look at my words and see God radiated through them. One guy, named David, who is from a Catholic boys school, came up to me after my message last night and said that God has been using my words to touch him! That is encouraging! Praise God, because even though I am not the best speaker in the world, somehow His message gets through! I have also been loosing my voice slowly over the past couple of days and last night it was totally gone. I am not sick or anything like that, but my voice is just giving out from talking so much I guess. Pray for that situation and that it would come back soon, because as of right now, I really don't have any words of my own!
This weeks groups are from Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey. They are really good kids and I think that they are all having a great experience here in West Virginia. I have been finding out that there are two types of experiences that I keep having during this summer. There are moments of despair, when things go wrong or I am lonely or homesick. These usually last for about 10 minutes and go away, but some days are worse than others. It is during these times that I really question why I am so far away from home and why I gave up my summer for YouthWorks. The other moments are completely opposite. They are moments of intense joy and happiness. During these times I am so thankful to God for sending me here to do His work and I am so happy for the kids that have come to work with us. I had one of these moments yesterday on our way home from an evening activity. We were in a van full of loud, roudy kids driving through the beautiful West Virginian scenery. One of David Crowders songs came on and I just got a feeling of peace and joy. I know that I am where God wants me right now and I am so glad that He chose me to come on the adventure. Keep praying for me and my YouthWorks friends. God Bless!