thoughts on poland:
well i was less than excited about the poland trip, actually i was dreading it. i was nervous about group dynamic, bummed that i wouldnt be with any of my close friends on staff and not sure how i would react to the terror of auschwitz.
but this story ends well.
the first night the worship leader had us think of something that was holding us back from truly meeting with God during the week. as i sat there annoyed that i'd already had to sing 'every move i make' twice, i realized that it was my cynical heart that was keeping me from truly entering into the presence of our awesome Lord. at the instruction of our worship leader i figuratively held my cynicism gripped tightly in my hands, and as the band sang "eveything i hold in my hands i give to You" i slowly lessened the grip and gave it to God.
God is so powerful when we just get out of the way and trust in that.
during the week the four girls i had in my group had their world rocked by Jesus, and this truly had nothing to do with me (remember, i was the girl that didnt really want to be there).
two quick stories: one night gabby shared with our group some pretty serious sin that was keeping her from meeting with God and she was ready to be done with it. she gave it to God and we talked about what it means to be forgiven and clean. the next night gabby shared with us that she feels like God is calling her into full time ministry, she told me that she wants my job. and she really would be amazing at it. pray for her.
story numero two: kattie is my high school friend that i have talked about before in newsletters and such (the girl that i met at a football game and then gave her life back to Christ one night at club). kattie for the first time was able to understand what it really means to pick up your cross and follow Christ. she realized that she has been living a life of rebellion against the God who has freed her from that. on the last night kattie started to cry, she was terrified to enter back into her life here in germany. she realizes how amazing God is and doesnt want to walk away from what He started in her heart in Poland but has literally no support system at school or home to walk with her. she is ready and willing to make sacrifices and truly die to herself but obviously is scared about how her friends will react. pray for her.
other exciting news; two of our boys (spencer and brock) gave their life to Christ for the first time that week along with about thirty other kids at the camp. it was amazing.
on the bus ride home i was able to sit in the back with some of our kids and just listen as they talked about how different life would be going back and things they wanted to see change in their life and how they treated others at their school.
God is so good.
thank you for praying.