So the summer of 2011 I worked as an intern with the youth at my church. There was something different about my internship and most other college students, I had no boss. You see, my youth director came to me one day and shared how he was moving, this didn’t shock me too much since we all knew it would happen sooner or later, but then he proceeded to share how he is moving at the beginning of the summer. A big freak out moment came over me, the summer is the busiest time at youth, so him saying he is leaving before the summer just worried me. Then he ended the meeting with sharing how he wanted to hire another intern so the work load can be a little easier, and how he was hoping that intern would be me.
Flash forward a couple of weeks, I am in the Associate Pastors office being offered the job. I wasn’t hesitant is taking it because I basically was working as an intern throughout the year just so I could get the experience. The first week on the job for me was my youth directors last week there.
One week….7 days….then would start one of the most life changing moments the Lord has brought my way.
The summer was difficult. I would find myself wondering why I said yes. No boss, no one to help call all these people, or go to all the meetings. Just two college students leading a youth group in a time of transformation. I remember before the summer even started saying to myself, “This summer will either prove that ministry is where the Lord wants you, or it just is not for you.”
And he did just that.
Even with the fights, frustrating times, tears, screaming into a pillow I would not take one second back. For every one of those hard times were ten amazing memories. Being able to pour love into the youths lives made it all worth it. Being able to see them grow in their faith, grow their self-confidence. Seeing them learn and fully understand that they are worthy, loved, and beautiful. That made all the struggles worth it.
How was I called to the mission fields? Through my students, I know an odd answer, but hear me out. For the last year and a half I have been with these students. Cried with them, laughed with them…and on occasion laughed at them, screamed with them, but most importantly, listened to them. Every human being has a stories, has struggles, but not everyone has someone who will listen. I feel the Lord is placing the World Race on my heart and in my journey so I can not only listen to those who have no one, but be listened to as well. I like to say I will never choose sleep over my students, but now I want to extend that out and say
I will never choose sleep over the Lords hurting people. I will be there to listen to those
who have no one will listen too. I will be there and pour out the love the Lord has freely given to me.
The Lord has put me on this journey and it has called me to do a lot of things I was not sure of. But this I know is what the Lord desires of me.
