thoughts on my trip

so much to say. first of all, God is good. i feel like that alone could summarize up my trip but perhaps i will give you a few more details.
ok, so i left germany and traveled through austria to slovakia, 16ish hours in a van, but i guess it wasnt that bad.
the next morning was easter, we went to a slovak church, it was really long but made me excited for heaven, just the idea of everyone worshiping God together.
after that i had some down time so i spent time reading and praying, but my heart and thoughts were so anxious, and excited...and nervous.
i remember when the buses came, with every bus that pulled in my heart would begin to race. i was nervous to meet the girls that i would spend the rest of the week with, nervous that we would not connect or that my lack of military experience would make me an inadequate leader. when it was time to meet the girls i remember praying 'Lord give me grace'.
i met the girls and the rest of the week was kind of a blur. the girls i was with gave me a really great picture of what life is like growing up military, they talked a lot about how they have a hard time connecting with friends and maintaining friendships when they are constantly moving. it was really awesome to see God at work in the lives of these girls. when they got there our first couple cabin time conversations consisted mostly of them longing for something better on the trip, like they were disappointed by their experience on the trip up to that point. i remember feeling so inadequate, like i wasnt doing a good job. God used that to push me to the place of complete humility before Him. surrendering all that i thought i was and relying on Him completely. it wasnt about me anymore it was totally about Him. when i got out of the way and just let the trip be about God he started doing amazing things. i had great conversations with the girls, things like is Jesus really the only way? and what about evolution? is it ok to doubt? is it worth it to let people into your heart? what does God say about sex and dating? those kind of things. it was good. i could see the Lord really at work in the lives of those girls. when it was time to say good bye there were lots of tears. the girls were sad to leave, not because of me but because of what God had done in slovakia. i cried harder than ive cried in a while, sad to see them go because of the way the Lord really used them in teaching me to give my life away for Him. it was a good trip. aside from being with girls and building a playground i made some really great friends who will be there doing my same job in other parts of europe, it was fun to be able to connect with staff and to feel like i will now have some friends when i move there. i also was able to meet the community directors of the cities i could possibly end up in. they were all great. i think the coolest thing the Lord did while i was there was just really confirm that that is where He has me and i'm so excited to go and walk in that.

i'll leave you with a video from my trip, hopefuly it works. i recorded it on my camera. the girl in it is stephanie, she was one of the girls in my cabin. and for those of you that would like to see more pictures from the trip i should have them up on shutterfly soon.