Wow, it's been just over one month since I left San Antonio to intern at Des Plaines Bible Church here in Des Plaines, IL. It's been a roller coaster ride, which, in my opinion, is the best way to describe it - ups and downs, twists and turns, lefts and rights, acceleration and deceleration, unexpected turns. You get the idea.
Honestly, like a roller coaster, it started off slow, going up, click click, click click. I was here for a week while the students were still in Mexico on their mission trip. I spent the time trying to find a job, which has not actually been found.
Then the students and the youth pastor got back. Time to get serious. Time to throw it into fifth gear. Nope. Click click, click click. It was and still is a challenge. I was intimidated by the situation to say the least. Intimidated by some of the students, intimidated by the new area, intimidated by a lack of community, intimidated by my own weaknesses. It was a struggle to trust God as my foundation to stand on when everything else seemed as fragile as glass and as unsteady as jell-o.
I spent many days reading and watching movies, and slowly things started to pick up. We had a pretty successful movie night, and gradually, I was able to spend more time with students - dairy queen after Wednesday night youth group, a lunch here and there. Though not how I pictured things starting up and taking shape, I had reached the crest of the hill and was increasing speed.
I taught a couple weeks ago on Joy vs. Happiness, and I believe it went well, and I received some positive feedback overall. Still improving, but I am also satisfied with the improvement that has already happened.
I have also been able to spend more time with the students. Swimming, eating, going downtown, watching movies, talking, and I am currently helping with VBS. The name is "God's Big Backyard" and the theme is serving - family, friends, community, etc.
I am doing puppets, secret room stuff, and leading a group of kindergarteners and first graders (Little kids can be so much fun!). I also taught today (technically yesterday) on Mark 2:1-12 on the friends who cared about their paralyzed friends so much that they made sure he saw Jesus no matter what it took (They dug a hole through the roof in case you had forgotten.).
I have also been to some great concerts, and the church allowed one of the bands that needed a place to stay to sleep at the church. Mike, the youth pastor, had a ton of food leftover from a barbecue earlier that day. It was great, and it was also one of my favorite bands - Blessed By A Broken Heart.
I have also been trying to help around the house of Ramiro and Melissa Cruz (the couple I'm living with). Whether it looks like cash payment, going to Blockbuster to get movies, picking up random groceries, doing dishes, vacuuming, or giving her younger sister rides; I am trying. Granted, I am not always successful, but I am trying and trying to improve. They have been a huge help in making it through this first month. They have truly made me feel at home while away from home, and I am incredibly grateful.
Ramiro and Melissa also have a ministry to the Hispanic community in Des Plaines and the surrounding area. In fact, Ramiro is the pastor of the Spanish ministry at church. They have introduced to many of their friends, and it has been a great joy to fellowship with them. I have gotten to know some great people, and it has mostly been in Spanish, but I always feel welcomed when around them. The 4th of July barbecue is a highlight of this experience. Enjoying great food and company and playing soccer. It was a fantastic afternoon.
Needless to say, the most difficult aspect of this summer has been living without friends. My friends from school are not here. My friends from home are not nere. Both my mentors are not here. My family is not here, and though I am surrounded by people that care about me, there are times when I really miss the community back home and the community at school, but I am learning a lot about myself and about my future ministry from this test.
I have seen many parallels from ministry this summer to what will probably take place in international youth ministry, which is what I believe to be God's call for me. When in a new country, I will be faced with many of the same experiences, the same intimidations. New place, new people, new language, and my friends and family will be thousands of miles away, an ocean away quite literally. I believe one of the purposes of this summer is to further prepare me for my future in ministry, especially international ministry.
Well, that about covers it. It's been a wild ride so far, and I don't expect it to stop any time soon. I'll be back at school to help with freshman orientation August 18, less than a month away. It's all going by so quickly.
P.S. You can now sign up for automatic emails to be sent to you whenever I update this blog, which means you never have to worry about remembering to check this page. Just enter your email in the subscribe from in top right of the page.
