I know I said this in my last post, but it feels like I have been here so much longer than I really have! I think its because we do like 8 different things in any given day, so each day feels like, well...8? I only have like 7 project weeks this summer, and I can't believe two of them are already over. I am so honored to be here, and I feel like I just need to bask in every moment of my time spent here, because it's memories of Philly that sustain me when regular life hits again.
At the end of every week, the project leader explains to the group that there are some people who will ask about their trip, but will only listen to about a one sentence answer. So in order to bring the most glory to God, they are given the opportunity to think through what that sentence would be in preparation for returning home. Does that make sense? So I think I am going to start including my sentences in this blog, although if you are bothering to read, you probably care enough to hear more than one sentence :)
This week: I saw Jesus transplant his servant's heart into 40 students, and then watched those students allow God to use them to passionately further His kingdom in Philly.
The groups that were here this week were ridiculously awesome ... I am was so excited to see fourteen-year-olds have more faith and boldness than most adults I know. When I was worn out from ministry, they were not. I think a large part of it came from amazing leadership ... I was so blessed by the witness and life of the youth pastors here this week. In fact, I am taking a week to go and spend doing ministry with one of them in Butler, PA because I had such an awesome time. I have a lot to learn about what true leadership looks like, and he has so much to teach. The kids got so much done this week, and in all their valiant efforts they inspired unbelievers to join in what they were doing -- people helped mow a lawn, donated sand, gave us sandwiches.... it was crazy! People saw God in these students and they wanted to join! And even more importantly than all their accomplishments, they just sat and the feet of Jesus and loved Him well. It was sweet.
Side note -- God took my heart yesterday and broke it all over again for this neighborhood. I love Philly so much, and I feel so at home here, that I had become blind to the need that brought me here in the first place. One of the youth pastors saw a man shot in the face just a couple doors down from the church where we are staying ... he came back and covered himself in bleach because he had been splattered by blood. I don't share this to give Satan any kind of stronghold, or to glorify what he was attempting to accomplish, but rather to give God glory for the ways that He so perfectly protected our lives and gave us a fervent desire to bring truth into such a broken place. It was a powerful morning, and God allowed us to respond in worship and prayer, and He gave us a place to rest in His goodness. Pray hard for Philly ... God is doing a mighty work here, and He has given us the chance to work alongside him by interceding for the people that he loves so dearly.
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