Friday, June 24, 2011
The Power of a Story
Something that we have been doing over the entire time of our project is preparing our personal testimony or our stories. The intention behind this was so that we could use our personal stories to witness to others. And then we all signed up for different nights to share them with the group. I have enjoyed hearing others stories so much. It is always so encouraging to hear the way that the Lord has worked in others lives. Not only that but it really helps to understand people better when you know a little more about what their life has looked like before you became a part of their story. And that is the cool thing about a personal story, it keeps growing. God continues to write our stories as we continue to live here on earth. And so when people come into our lives they add to our story. Another thing that I loved about preparing to share my story is that it is such a wonderful and sweet reminder of what the Lord has done in my own life. It is so great to be reminded of the gospel and how that has impacted my own life and then of course to take a look at where the Lord has brought me and who He has been growing me into today. Something that really struck me as I was preparing my testimony is that even though this may be our story this is really God's story and we are all just a small part, a small chapter in God's story. How cool is that? We are being written in the book that God is writing so to speak. We are part of His story. I feel so honored and so privileged to be a part of His story! Maybe you are not doing a summer project or in a place where you have to prepare your testimony but I would like to encourage all of you to do just that. Recall where you were before God grabbed a hold of your heart and your life. Remember how He brought you to Himself. Take another look at the different areas in your life that God has transformed. It is such a sweet reminder.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Decreasing by the day...
I have been thinking about the verse in John 3 lately. "He must increase, but I must decrease." I have heard this many times, in fact when I read them in my bible a few days ago I even had the verse underlined. It must have struck me at another time as well. But true to form, we are a forgetful people and I am no different. So the Lord reminded me of this truth just recently. A few days ago our project was placed in a poverty simulation. I am not allowed to go into too much detail about the simulation in case someone reading this decides they want to go on this project next summer. So if you would like to really hear about my experience in detail I would love to share with you sometime so just ask. However, I can give you an overview of what we did. We were considered the working poor. Some of us were homeless, some single parents, some families. I was a single mom. We slept in a "shelter" and were only allowed to have a couple items with us besides our bible and journal. We were given a small amount of money every morning, except for the homeless. They had to rely on others to get by. We had to pay for our babies if we had them, the shelter each night, transportation and any meals we wanted to eat that were offered to us. For the duration of the simulation, I did not get much sleep, I did not shower, I wore the same clothes and I spent time on the streets of Denver. We spend one day helping and evangelizing at a carnival put on my other Christian organizations. We all had to carry everything we had with us, including our babies. We got some really crazy looks and sometimes we didn't even get a look in our direction at all. I learned so much about poverty during this time. People assume that the reason people are on the streets or homeless is a direct result of not having enough money. However, that is not always the case. People end up homeless for all kinds of reasons and a lack of resources. For example, I can say with much confidence that I most likely will never be homeless even if I lost my home and all my money because I have a family support system, I have an education and I have positive role models in my life, along with many other resources. My eyes have been opened to so much and my heart has been broken for so many people. I am struck by the passage in Matthew 25:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me...wow...I want to have the kind of heart that overflows with so much love and compassion for people that I am willing to help all that I can. Not because it is nice to do but because it pleases the Lord greatly and He wants us to treat it as if we were helping Him directly. The point of the simulation was for us to really get a feel for what it is like to live in poverty. Even though we still didn't come to close to knowing what it really is like for people that are in these types of situations it really did open my eyes to a lot. I've also been learning a lot about humility lately as well and one of our leaders said it great in a prayer..."Lord humble us. Not so much that we would think less of ourselves but that we would think of ourselves less." Lord, I must decrease so that you can increase. This is not about us. This is all about Him.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me...wow...I want to have the kind of heart that overflows with so much love and compassion for people that I am willing to help all that I can. Not because it is nice to do but because it pleases the Lord greatly and He wants us to treat it as if we were helping Him directly. The point of the simulation was for us to really get a feel for what it is like to live in poverty. Even though we still didn't come to close to knowing what it really is like for people that are in these types of situations it really did open my eyes to a lot. I've also been learning a lot about humility lately as well and one of our leaders said it great in a prayer..."Lord humble us. Not so much that we would think less of ourselves but that we would think of ourselves less." Lord, I must decrease so that you can increase. This is not about us. This is all about Him.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Day Two at Open Door
Today was day two at my ministry site. It is called Open Door ministry. Overall they do a lot of things for the community of Denver. They have a church service on Sunday, that I attend, along with the regular youth group type of things as well. During the day they have a "daycare" service that I am working at. Monday, Wednesday, Friday I am with the school age kids and on Tuesday and Thursdays I am with the middle school kids. I love all of them but get a lot of joy out of working with the middle school kids. I feel like they are at such a critical age. They are seeing this world and all the pain that it brings and some of them are looking for hope. Today we volunteered at a food bank. It was amazing to see how much goes on in this place. They are very proactive and know how to use their resources very well. They get food from all over and feel anywhere from 80-100 families a day! Some of the kids from Open Door have moms or dads that go to the food bank and so I think it was beneficial to see how much work has to go into that place. They kids were awesome! They had a great time and they were so well behaved. I am praying that I will be able to build some strong, trusting relationships with them that will lead into getting opportunities to share the gospel with them.
Working with the school age kids was also really fun! The girls wanted me to play store with them which I used to love doing as a child so that was great! We took them to the public library yesterday and this little really took a liking to me and she wanted me to read to her. She picked out a book called, "Where is my poop?" Which was actually very fitting for me. We had a fun time reading that book. Today when I got to Open Door the little girls that I played with yelled "JESSICA! JESSICA! COME SIT BY ME!" It made my heart melt. How could I have ever even thought that I would prejudge these little children. These children that the Lord so desperately loves! It kind of makes me feel like a camp counselor from Turkey Hill. Which if you know me at all you know how much I love Turkey Hill.
Speaking of Turkey Hill, my heart is with them and I am lifting up my prayers to them. I miss singing camp songs, "The Lord told Noah there's gonna be a floody floody....or....Let my light shine bright through the night, through the day, all the way for you...YEE HAW YIP YIP YIP!" Camp is such a great time for the kids and the staff. Well, I am sitting here in my living room, listening to some of my project friends play the guitar and keyboard and just chilling with some others. I am about to head down to my bunk to spend some time with the Lord before I get some rest. I loved your guys' comments! They are so very encouraging to me. Keep them coming!
Until my next post....
J
Working with the school age kids was also really fun! The girls wanted me to play store with them which I used to love doing as a child so that was great! We took them to the public library yesterday and this little really took a liking to me and she wanted me to read to her. She picked out a book called, "Where is my poop?" Which was actually very fitting for me. We had a fun time reading that book. Today when I got to Open Door the little girls that I played with yelled "JESSICA! JESSICA! COME SIT BY ME!" It made my heart melt. How could I have ever even thought that I would prejudge these little children. These children that the Lord so desperately loves! It kind of makes me feel like a camp counselor from Turkey Hill. Which if you know me at all you know how much I love Turkey Hill.
Speaking of Turkey Hill, my heart is with them and I am lifting up my prayers to them. I miss singing camp songs, "The Lord told Noah there's gonna be a floody floody....or....Let my light shine bright through the night, through the day, all the way for you...YEE HAW YIP YIP YIP!" Camp is such a great time for the kids and the staff. Well, I am sitting here in my living room, listening to some of my project friends play the guitar and keyboard and just chilling with some others. I am about to head down to my bunk to spend some time with the Lord before I get some rest. I loved your guys' comments! They are so very encouraging to me. Keep them coming!
Until my next post....
J
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A heart like His.
Hey all! Thanks for making your way back to my blog. I've loved your comments. Keep them coming! :) So my morning started off with some time with the Lord...time praying that is. Let me give you a little example of my prayer this morning..."God please give me eyes like yours so that I can see people the way that you do. I pray that I can have a heart like yours. Help me to love people that way you do." This was my main cry this morning. I've been getting nervous to start our ministry on Monday. We are all placed at different ministry sites. Mine is called Open Door ministry. All I know is that I am working with kids. Once I am there I will give you all a better picture of what it is. All the ministries are downtown. Mine in particular is right across the street from my house and for all of you who do not know, we live in a rougher part of Denver. So I've been getting a little nervous. What if I went into my ministry site with preconceived notions or judgements. What if I didn't know how to love these children the way that I should? What if I was intimidated or scared of them and what they bring to the table? So many thoughts and then so many lies from the enemy..."you can't do this. you will never be able to relate to these kids. they will hate you. you will fail." So I just began to pray this morning that the Lord would give me His eyes and His heart so that I could see and love these children the way He does.
Our morning lesson was about prayer and the prayer life of Jesus. It was so humbling to really see they way that the Lord prayed. It really put things in perspective and made me see how little that I pray and how much my prayer life needs work! I began to realize that the Lord even prayed for the Father to help Him. He could not do anything by Himself. He needed the Father just the way we do. He was fully dependent on His Father. God's greatest work is done by men and women who are totally dependent on Him. Jesus' goals in praying were to minister to the Father, depend on the Father and fulfill the Father's will. I began to realize that if I am depending on Him fully that He will lead me and He will work through me and because of that I will be fulfilling His will.
Following our lesson we spent time going around the group and saying a prayer for someone that the Lord placed on our heart. I barely know these people I am on project with yet. I know them surface level and here we are all pouring our heart out to God and praying for someone in our life and as people began to get vulnerable praying for their lost friends, their relationship with their parents to be restored, their sister with cancer, their professors to know the Lord, etc. I found myself crying. All the sudden I had a deep and heavy burden on my heart for these people and I just prayed and prayed. Afterwards all I could find to do was thank the Lord for already answering one of my prayers by giving me a heart more like His. I know that if I depend on Him He will do the same for me when I walk through the doors of my ministry site Monday morning and meet all the kids that I will build relationships with for the next month.
I don't know what your prayer life is like but I can almost guarantee that it could be better, you could be spending more time in communion with our God. I know I could and I know that I could spend MUCH more time talking to Him about things other than myself and my needs. I challenge you to reevaluate your prayer life today. Maybe you have an AWESOME prayer life and could encourage someone else in theirs. Along those lines I would LOVE it if you would please send me your prayer requests. As I begin to change my prayer life I would really like to spend more time praying for others in my life.
Just a little more on my day quickly...we did a scavenger hunt through Denver to get more familiar with the city. That was SO fun...my team lost...but that's okay! :) I tried to meet Tim Tebow at a book signing but the ticket were sold out. I WILL MEET HIM ONE DAY! Mark my word! ;) And then tonight me and some girls went for a walk to 16th street mall and to see the Art Chalk downtown. It was incredible! You should check out my pics on fbook! Alright if you are still reading..thank you! I am going to spend some time with the Lord and get some rest. Tomorrow morning I go to church at my ministry site bright and early! I'm excited to worship and praise the Lord with the people of Denver.
J
Our morning lesson was about prayer and the prayer life of Jesus. It was so humbling to really see they way that the Lord prayed. It really put things in perspective and made me see how little that I pray and how much my prayer life needs work! I began to realize that the Lord even prayed for the Father to help Him. He could not do anything by Himself. He needed the Father just the way we do. He was fully dependent on His Father. God's greatest work is done by men and women who are totally dependent on Him. Jesus' goals in praying were to minister to the Father, depend on the Father and fulfill the Father's will. I began to realize that if I am depending on Him fully that He will lead me and He will work through me and because of that I will be fulfilling His will.
Following our lesson we spent time going around the group and saying a prayer for someone that the Lord placed on our heart. I barely know these people I am on project with yet. I know them surface level and here we are all pouring our heart out to God and praying for someone in our life and as people began to get vulnerable praying for their lost friends, their relationship with their parents to be restored, their sister with cancer, their professors to know the Lord, etc. I found myself crying. All the sudden I had a deep and heavy burden on my heart for these people and I just prayed and prayed. Afterwards all I could find to do was thank the Lord for already answering one of my prayers by giving me a heart more like His. I know that if I depend on Him He will do the same for me when I walk through the doors of my ministry site Monday morning and meet all the kids that I will build relationships with for the next month.
I don't know what your prayer life is like but I can almost guarantee that it could be better, you could be spending more time in communion with our God. I know I could and I know that I could spend MUCH more time talking to Him about things other than myself and my needs. I challenge you to reevaluate your prayer life today. Maybe you have an AWESOME prayer life and could encourage someone else in theirs. Along those lines I would LOVE it if you would please send me your prayer requests. As I begin to change my prayer life I would really like to spend more time praying for others in my life.
Just a little more on my day quickly...we did a scavenger hunt through Denver to get more familiar with the city. That was SO fun...my team lost...but that's okay! :) I tried to meet Tim Tebow at a book signing but the ticket were sold out. I WILL MEET HIM ONE DAY! Mark my word! ;) And then tonight me and some girls went for a walk to 16th street mall and to see the Art Chalk downtown. It was incredible! You should check out my pics on fbook! Alright if you are still reading..thank you! I am going to spend some time with the Lord and get some rest. Tomorrow morning I go to church at my ministry site bright and early! I'm excited to worship and praise the Lord with the people of Denver.
J
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Let the memories begin...
So here I am in Denver Colorado. For all of you who may not know, I am doing a four week summer project in Denver Colorado...summer in the city. This is first summer project which is unusual because I am a grad student and most students tend to go on summer projects when they are in their undergrad. This whole experience has been such an experience from the Lord. Just getting here has been a humbling experience in itself. I was so incredibly thankful to all the many people that stepped out in faith to support me financially-shout out to you if you are reading this! :)
Anyways, I am going to really try to blog a few times a week so that people at home can read about what I am doing here in the city. I want to share my experiences, my thoughts and all that the Lord is doing in my life and the lives of the people in Denver with you all. So please feel free to read! :) Let me just give you a little rundown of my past few days...at the beginning of this week I was running around Cape and Jackson like a crazy woman buying clothes, swim suits, personal products and anything and everything else I thought I MIGHT need in Colorado. Tuesday I really thought that I could have a break down as I was trying to fit everything in my suitcase...I knew I was over packing but I didn't want to UNDER pack. I mean can you even imagine getting to Denver without that ONE pair of shorts? Yeah...I was that girl. I finally crawled into bed around 12:45 and slept a nice 5 1/2 hours. Wednesday up by 6:20, trying to get on the road by 8....getting on the road by 9:45...I mean it is my mom and I-what else would you expect right? We picked up Gaby from STL and hit the road! 10 hours that day...5 hours the next. And then Gaby and I roll into downtown Denver. We pull up to this Victorian style home that seems pretty nice and then we are directed to our room...one big room connected to one little room and 13 girls. Gaby and I head to the back room with the two bunk beds but to get there we have to squeeze through the big room with like 5 bunk beds and as we try to lug all of our suitcases we realize that we are those girls..you know the girls that pack like a million and one things and still forget something. yeah those girls. But that's okay, we got settled and went to our first dinner with all our project friends....all 13 girls and 4 boys. Everyone seems really nice and friendly and well they say these people will be my best friends by the end of the four weeks and with only two bathrooms for all of us I can see that we will get REEEEAL close. I can hardly wait to see what the Lord has for us all. My dear friend Emiley had a little package for me when I got here (she is WAY too sweet) and in it was a journal that had a note for me. She said that I will have an amazing time and she is usually right...most the time. ;) Love ya em! So all I can do is trust the Lord in this like I have been doing all along right? Tomorrow is a day full of training...it could be a long day so I am going to call it a night. I don't know who is reading this...maybe no one except my mom and Emiley (you guys rock!) but whoever you are, where ever you are this summer-let God lead you to new places! That could be at another summer project, working at a summer camp, doing an internship in Montana, spending your last summer at home before you move on to a new chapter of your life, working on a farm or just spending time at home with your family and friends...whatever you are doing ask God what He has for you. Ask Him what you can do for Him. He will show you and He will lead you...that's what I did and here I am in. Serving God. In Denver Colorado. My summer in the city. As my girl, Em said...Let the memories begin.
Day by day...
Moment by moment...
Jesus is Lord of Lords...
Who guides your every step.
So let Him guide you today!
Signing off here in Denver Colorado...
J
Anyways, I am going to really try to blog a few times a week so that people at home can read about what I am doing here in the city. I want to share my experiences, my thoughts and all that the Lord is doing in my life and the lives of the people in Denver with you all. So please feel free to read! :) Let me just give you a little rundown of my past few days...at the beginning of this week I was running around Cape and Jackson like a crazy woman buying clothes, swim suits, personal products and anything and everything else I thought I MIGHT need in Colorado. Tuesday I really thought that I could have a break down as I was trying to fit everything in my suitcase...I knew I was over packing but I didn't want to UNDER pack. I mean can you even imagine getting to Denver without that ONE pair of shorts? Yeah...I was that girl. I finally crawled into bed around 12:45 and slept a nice 5 1/2 hours. Wednesday up by 6:20, trying to get on the road by 8....getting on the road by 9:45...I mean it is my mom and I-what else would you expect right? We picked up Gaby from STL and hit the road! 10 hours that day...5 hours the next. And then Gaby and I roll into downtown Denver. We pull up to this Victorian style home that seems pretty nice and then we are directed to our room...one big room connected to one little room and 13 girls. Gaby and I head to the back room with the two bunk beds but to get there we have to squeeze through the big room with like 5 bunk beds and as we try to lug all of our suitcases we realize that we are those girls..you know the girls that pack like a million and one things and still forget something. yeah those girls. But that's okay, we got settled and went to our first dinner with all our project friends....all 13 girls and 4 boys. Everyone seems really nice and friendly and well they say these people will be my best friends by the end of the four weeks and with only two bathrooms for all of us I can see that we will get REEEEAL close. I can hardly wait to see what the Lord has for us all. My dear friend Emiley had a little package for me when I got here (she is WAY too sweet) and in it was a journal that had a note for me. She said that I will have an amazing time and she is usually right...most the time. ;) Love ya em! So all I can do is trust the Lord in this like I have been doing all along right? Tomorrow is a day full of training...it could be a long day so I am going to call it a night. I don't know who is reading this...maybe no one except my mom and Emiley (you guys rock!) but whoever you are, where ever you are this summer-let God lead you to new places! That could be at another summer project, working at a summer camp, doing an internship in Montana, spending your last summer at home before you move on to a new chapter of your life, working on a farm or just spending time at home with your family and friends...whatever you are doing ask God what He has for you. Ask Him what you can do for Him. He will show you and He will lead you...that's what I did and here I am in. Serving God. In Denver Colorado. My summer in the city. As my girl, Em said...Let the memories begin.
Day by day...
Moment by moment...
Jesus is Lord of Lords...
Who guides your every step.
So let Him guide you today!
Signing off here in Denver Colorado...
J
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