The staff is gone. They literally vanished.
I
am not sure if I filled all of you in on exactly what was going on with the
staff, but basically they were here for a month discipling and equipping us.
However after the month was up, they gave us leadership roles and left and we,
the students, will be running the Project from here on out.
We
had a banquet on the staff’s last day and at the end of the night, we had a
candlelight service where each staff member passed on the torch of leadership
to us… quite literally (they passed the flame on their candles to ours). So if
you’re wondering which leadership position was given to me, I am now my Action
Group’s leader. This means I have the privilege to disciple three ladies
(Rachel, Morgan, and Gabby—a new addition from another group) and lead a weekly
Bible study. This is the first time I will be discipling other people and I
have to say I’m coming into it (surprisingly) calmly. One of my friends
actually asked me to disciple her earlier this year and I was apprehensive
about it. I didn’t feel prepared. But being at Project, growing as much as I
have, understanding and depending on the Holy Spirit, and seeing the value of
vulnerability (thanks to Jenny), I know that I will be as ready as I’ll ever be
and am excited to build up relationships with these girls.
Now
for the ‘vanished’ bit. In case you were confused about my use of this word,
after each staff member passed on their flame (the ceremony was overwhelming
and extremely touching), we prayed together and while everyone’s head was down,
they exited. They were so quiet! I’m talking about 20-some staff members
leaving as silent as a mouse. If anything, I’m impressed they were able to pull
it off! By the time we said “Amen,” they were gone.
Also
lately, we had an International Dinner. Now, I’m not suppose to divulge into
what happened (just in case any of my readers are thinking about going on
Project—they’d lose the lesson and surprise) but I’ll just say I was in Asia
and leave you with this lovely picture! ~^_^~
And
now I want to talk about Miss Jenny D’Orazio (and soon-to-be Mrs. Bell! I’ll
get to that soon!). I know I’ve already blogged so much about her, but she has
been such a blessing and impact on my life. Not only is she so filled with so
much joy (which is more often than not a fruit of the spirit that I’m lacking),
but also has a deep discernment of people. She is able to connect with everyone
she talks to and as a result, is able to build meaningful conversations and
relationships. With that being said, I will miss her. And as for the Mrs. Bell
comment, she got engaged! The day she was going to drive back to Arizona, her
boyfriend Paul came and surprised her. I wasn’t able to witness the momentous
occasion, but got to see pictures online and I have to say I’m so overjoyed for
her.
Finally,
I want to tell you about the wonderful evening I just had with the Bresnik’s.
Trinity Baptist set up a program called “Adopt Cru” where families volunteer to
have us over at their houses for dinner or dessert. I was one of six students
who had dessert at the Bresnik’s and it was such a wonderful, heart-warming
experience. Ruth and Randy are an elderly couple that are teeming with life.
Ruth baked lemon bars, lemon cake, and chocolate cake, as well as bought and heated
up an apple pie. We got to talk to them about ourselves, but also listen to
their stories. Ruth is a bit sassy and adorable while Randy is super grounded
and just oozing with wisdom and comfort. We were so blessed to be there and
there were times when my eyes started to well up because I thought of how
wonderful it is to see a Christian couple so in love with each other and Jesus.
I hope I get to see them again. I often forget how much wisdom older people
have and how wonderful it is to hear their stories and share my own story with
them.
Prayer requests:
- I
met a girl named Michka today and she was raised Jewish and her dad is actually
a rabbi. She said she desired a more intimate relationship with God and sees
Him in nature and all around her and that He’s always reaching out to her. She
also spoke of how Christians have this innate desire to do good and she
respects and admires that. I pray that she’ll have more opportunities to meet
other Christians in her life and that she will realize she can have an intimate
relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
- Pray
for wisdom for all students in how to run the rest of Summer Project and that
we will speak to each other with grace and truth.
- There’s
actually so much going on around me right now that it’s a bit overwhelming. My
sister’s wedding is coming up so I desire to be there for her and I have to
write a speech. AH! Also, I have family in town (‘cause of the wedding) so I
want to be able to serve them and take them around town. And then there’s film
school and the fact that I need to come up with a full script by August 20th.
Pray that I have wisdom in how to handle each and every situation and that I
would be able to lay everything in God’s hands fully.
- Please
pray for my relationships with my new disciples. This is uncharted territory!
- And
lastly, please pray for my relationships with my coworkers. I’m finding it hard
to have deep conversations with them and time to even get to know them. One
coworker named Clinton actually sat down with me for lunch and I got to know a
bit about his background. He told me that he works at A&F because of the
people, which surprised me because I feel like the people at A&F seem a bit
distant. Pray that I will be bolder in getting to know them and that there will
be opportunities to share the Gospel with them.
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