I cannot put into words how much I miss you. Also, It took me a while to see but now, I am so aware of everything that I learned from attending youth group and mission trips with all of you.
I would like to start by saying that even though you guys look up to me, I have learned so much from all of you. You are the most loving and accepting group of students I’ve come across in my life.
Although I am in another country right now doing missions, it truly isn’t much different from what all of you do every day. I am so encouraged Joe teaching us the truth that “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” You are all so inspiring to me because as a group, you never focus on being comfortable. We are always pushing one another to be uncomfortable and grow in our faith. Always take risks for Jesus! There is nothing more rewarding than serving him and the only true joy you will ever find comes from knowing and serving the Lord!
Also, you don’t have to be far away in the world to be on a mission trip. You are all on mission every day and you should live your life in a way that glorifies God! Be where your feet are! If God has placed you in Mechanicsburg PA, then share about him as much as you can with the people who you love! If you have a heart for missions work, the best advice I can give you is that it is best to learn how to be comfortable sharing about Jesus and getting out of your comfort zone at home. It is hard to make good choices when we are at home but if you don’t serve him when you are comfortable at home, it would be nearly impossible to serve him when you are uncomfortable away from everything you know.
When you make your faith your own, other people can see that you are growing in Christ based on the way you are serving other people. It can be so hard to hear God speaking sometimes but if you pray in his name always for things that are for his Glory, he will show you exactly where he wants you to go. Trust in God, he will always point you in the right direction and he will open the doors for you. You just have to say yes and God will do everything else!
It took me so long to figure out that everything that feels important in middle school and even in high school will someday feel like no big deal. The other day, I was talking to our taxi driver and he was sharing with us about how the problems he faces are so small compared to the problems that they face in countries like Iraq where they have bombs falling on their homes in the night. But for us in the United States, or problems seem so small compared to the problems of my taxi driver. I am not at all saying that your problems or worries are insignificant because I know they are important. I am however, just reminding you to put your life in perspective. Life completely changes when you zoom out and look at it through the lens of God. I have been so humbled by this trip and by getting to know the people and situations around me. But still, every day that I am alive and I wake up breathing is a new day to talk about Jesus!
Also, I want to remind you all just how special it is to grow up in a youth group that has a community as wonderful as the one at Outbound. The environment that Outbound cultivates makes it so easy to share triumphs, thoughts, struggles, dreams, and even fears with your peers. I am so thankful that I grew up knowing what true accountability, relationships, and community looks like. Lean on the Christian friendships around you because we can’t walk out our faith on our own and God calls us to do Christianity together!
SPEND TIME WITH JESUS IN THE WORD. I have never enjoyed reading but if you pray for a fire to know God better, he will give you the discipline to know more about him and soon, it will become such a joy! There is no better best friend than Jesus.
Lastly, listen to the wisdom of the leadership that God has placed within outbound. Not only is Joe wise, but so are all of the amazing volunteers at outbound. Everyone deeply cares for one another so much and I have been able to learn so much from them as they help my faith grow.
I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your love, support, and friendship! I cannot wait to share about my trip with you all and hear about all of the exciting things happening at Outbound! I’ll leave you with one challenge that was convicting to me: Review your week in your head, what have you talked about the most this week? The answer should always be Jesus.
