Week 5-Oh, How He loves us!

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. -1 Corinthians 2:13

Can I just say that God is amazing for the millionth time?! After a rough first week of groups on site, we were truly blessed with the second round of groups from North Carolina, Illinois, and Tennessee. We had 57 total participants and all 57 were wonderful to get to know! Many great things happened this week, which was a given when it comes to Jesus. Monday night I had a great conversation with an adult leader who I found was really hurting because she is going through a divorce. She told me her story as tears welled up in her eyes (and mine). Her daughter was along with her on the trip, as well. My heart broke for her and her family as I know the hurt and the deep wounds that come from divorce. The Lord used my family's story to encourage her and help her to know that she is not alone. Later in the week, I was able to talk to her daughter and we had a conversation about unconditional love, how we hate change when it comes to family, and how important it is to seek the Lord at all times. I plan on keeping in touch with them and was truly blessed by them this week. They were both so helpful, loving, and truly had servant hearts. I got to spend a lot of time with them and their crew as they helped sort bedding and paint at the church and the homeless shelter here in Daytona.

The youth really enjoyed the ministry sites that they went to during the week and seemed to connect well with the people that they met. Speaking of meeting people, I want to tell you about someone I met while I was with the crew at the homeless shelter. A guy was volunteering in the clothing storage room when we arrived and as the youth were getting instruction on what to do, he leaned over and showed me a picture of his 4 month old baby boy. Within minutes he was telling me about his life. He had just moved to Daytona from New Jersey to get away from gang life. After his son was born, he knew he needed to get out and he did not want his son to be anywhere near a gang. He was/is a Blood and has been since he was 14. Because of his involvement, he has been in and out of jail several times and never finished high school. He is 21 and was helping at the shelter so he would stay out of trouble. In 2008, his mother and grandmother died in a house fire. He told me, with tears in his eyes, that he didn't think life could continue after that. I asked him about God, and he said that God was his best friend, that it was only because of God that he is alive and that he is able to get away from gang life. He has hopes to get his high school diploma and eventually get a college degree. Hopefully, I will see him again next week. It was crazy how such an amazing conversation stumbled into my lap and it is only because of how the Lord prepared me that I was able to ask the questions that I did. I praise the Lord for Darnell, that's his name, and for the shelter that is able to provide support and services to those who have stories like his. I was truly humbled by this encounter.

I love going to the homeless shelter (STAR Family Center) and the soup kitchen (Bridge of Hope). I know I shouldn't have favorites, but I do! It's awesome to see how God provides for these places every day of every week. They help so many people and in doing so, share God's love with them.

If you are not familiar with YouthWorks! programming, on Thursday night the program staff gives a talk about when Jesus washes his disciple's feet and we facilitate a foot washing ceremony. It is quite intense and truly my favorite part of the week. We as staff have the privilege to wash the adult leaders feet and pray with them. Then, the adult leaders wash the feet of their youth. This is very moving, powerful, and emotional. God is present, of course, and it is amazing but hard to be broken each week not only before the Lord, but before a group of 57 youth and adults. A couple of the adult leaders asked if they could wash our feet. This was so humbling and brought all of us to tears. We were truly blessed by this group, but we found that they felt really blessed to have met us. Amazing. I know I say that alot, but that seems to be the only descriptor that seems to be at least some what close to what we experienced. Our team has continued to bond, and foot washing seems to bring us closer every time.

One more thing, a wonderful youth named Amy approached me one afternoon during free time and shared with me that she had never felt so connected with YW staff before this trip. Come to find out, she has been on 6 other YW trips! I was honored. That spoke volumes to me and again reminded me why I am here.

I love my job. Thank you Jesus!!

Prayer Requests: The groups (we have 70 participants coming) that are traveling this weekend and for their hearts to be open to what God what's them to see, hear, and do. Also, for our team and ministry sites.

Love in Christ,

Jessica

P.S. I got a little sunburnt today...laying by the pool...haha. :)