Upon arriving back to the lovely subburbs of Washington, DC I concluded that this place has nothing for me. I found myself surrounded by giant houses, decorations, no friends, no church, and a longing for Africa. My childhood friend KatieRuth visited for a week and asked me how I was adjusting to home. My response, “Suburbia is swallowing me.” I didn’t understand what was so attractive about life in Ashburn and wherever I looked people my age were nowhere to be found. I concluded that I would be on the first plane to Atlanta once I could figure out logistics. In Atlanta I had a community and I would build a life from there. I desired to work for a non-profit and start over. My plan was halted when I realized the non-profit was only at its beginning stage and didn’t have any opportunity for me to work. The next day I went to Wyldlife camp. Wyldlife camp (Young Life camp for middle schoolers), is a camp designed to expose students to the gospel while having the best week of their life. Camp consists of a million fun activities and gospel talks each night. I had committed to going to WL camp during the last week of my race. They needed an adult leader and I figured, why not. It’s free food and at least I’d be in community (even if it’s with a bunch of 13 year olds). SO I went!!
Wyldlife Camp captured me. I loved the cabin of girls I led and I was able to have some amazing talks with the girls. I was able to share some stories from my past and push people towards God. The girls were so eager to make God more real in their life and were genuinely a blast to be around. God has gifted me with an amazing patience and enjoyment for 13 year olds! I know call me crazy but I loved it! The night before we left, the girls asked me, “Are you going to do Wyldlife this year?” My response was quick, “Of course, after meeting you all how can I not?”
Enter dilemma. I had just decided that I was being swallowed by the subburbs, in need of community my own age, and on the next plane to Atlanta. What am I supposed to do now? The day after camp I helped a fellow Wyldlife leader move. As I was at his house it dawned me, he’s my age. I asked him about other leaders for the area and quickly learned that four other “young adults” would be leading this year. Maybe God is showing me that there are people my age in Ashburn. This is where I don’t understand God, I was ready to leave and give up on Ashburn, but God has dropped a group of kids to invest in and a potential community right into my lap. Does this mean God will keep me busy for the next 5 months before I move or is this God telling me to stay? I was ready to hop on a plane to Uganda and explore another orphanage. I was ready to move to Atlanta in January and see what comes. Now I sit with a decision in my hands, do I commit to a year of leading Wyldlife in my area?
Well, I met with a Young Life staffer and pretty much already told her I was interested in being involved. I actually said, “I’ll be as involved as you want me to be.” I got an email today that said, “if you do this it’s a year commitment to leaders meetings, hanging out with kids, and doing it the right way.” Here’s where you come in… can you help me pray throughout this next week? Pray for clarity of what I should do next. Do I commit to staying in Ashburn, at my parents’ house, in my hometown that I never thought I’d end up in again? Do I commit to those amazing girls who I want to see grow in the Lord? If you know anything about me, you know that I am an all-in type of person. I am present to my surroundings and do whatever I can to serve. I was all ready to pick up my loyalties and start new in Atlanta. Pray that by staying in Ashburn I get the community (of people my own age) that I’ve been so eager to have! God I believe you will direct my steps. Do you have something for me here? Do I commit to Ashburn for another year? What happens to my love for Africa?
Will you pray with me? Please share any thoughts of insights you receive from God. I will make my final decision in a week. Thanks!
