God has taken me on a wild ride since I last talked with many of you. I spent the month of June in Italy where I engaged in some impromptu solo backpacking expeditions before going to serve on work staff at Beach Reach - the camp put on for military teenagers in Pisa. I don't think I realized how much work I'd signed myself up for. Regardless, God was continually confirming that I was meant to be there through the incredible (and that's an understatement) conversations he allowed me to have with different people. "Divine appointments," if you will.
In July I lived and worked on an island in Greece as an au pair for a wealthy eight year old boy. In short, it was a "memorable" experience that was by far one of the most challenging periods of my life.
As I write this, I have been in Southern Germany for just over a month and have begun my position as an intern for Young Life in Hohenfels—a small, rural, country town. A typical week consists of frequenting the jr. and sr. high schools on post in an effort to meet kids, establish relationships, and invite them to club. There are three club nights throughout the week- each with a slightly different purpose, but a common goal: we want kids to encounter the Life Giver.
It has been a pretty strange transition going from being a student to having an actual full time job. Sometimes I think I'm experiencing a quarter life crisis. It is in these moments that I ask myself what it is I truly desire working as an intern. My heart tells me that I want the youth I interact with to know LIFE. I want them to know that God is so much bigger than all of their preconceptions and their current perspectives of Him– that He is much more alive than the way they are often introduced to Him. I want them to know that walking with Him doesn't consist of rules or formulas - His burden is not heavy, but light.
The truth is, military installations are insulated American bubbles of community with little to no outreach being conducted towards youth. Considering the average military family moves every few years, I question how kids are able to build significant relationships with anyone and more importantly - how they are ever introduced to the Life Giver.
The purposes of this letter are simple - to thank you for your sacrifice in giving and to share with you the vision of which you are a part. I hope you understand how great the need is and the vital roles you play as prayer warriors and donors. Right now I am being asked to stay on board for 6 more months. The community director and I are all that comprise the staff body at our post - with over 300 teens. Please pray for me in this decision making process as well as for provisions if I choose to stay. I would need to raise around $700 in monthly support. I would love to hear any of your thoughts or any word the Lord may put on your hearts; and I, in turn, have so many amazing stories that I hope to be able to share with you.
In July I lived and worked on an island in Greece as an au pair for a wealthy eight year old boy. In short, it was a "memorable" experience that was by far one of the most challenging periods of my life.
As I write this, I have been in Southern Germany for just over a month and have begun my position as an intern for Young Life in Hohenfels—a small, rural, country town. A typical week consists of frequenting the jr. and sr. high schools on post in an effort to meet kids, establish relationships, and invite them to club. There are three club nights throughout the week- each with a slightly different purpose, but a common goal: we want kids to encounter the Life Giver.
It has been a pretty strange transition going from being a student to having an actual full time job. Sometimes I think I'm experiencing a quarter life crisis. It is in these moments that I ask myself what it is I truly desire working as an intern. My heart tells me that I want the youth I interact with to know LIFE. I want them to know that God is so much bigger than all of their preconceptions and their current perspectives of Him– that He is much more alive than the way they are often introduced to Him. I want them to know that walking with Him doesn't consist of rules or formulas - His burden is not heavy, but light.
The truth is, military installations are insulated American bubbles of community with little to no outreach being conducted towards youth. Considering the average military family moves every few years, I question how kids are able to build significant relationships with anyone and more importantly - how they are ever introduced to the Life Giver.
The purposes of this letter are simple - to thank you for your sacrifice in giving and to share with you the vision of which you are a part. I hope you understand how great the need is and the vital roles you play as prayer warriors and donors. Right now I am being asked to stay on board for 6 more months. The community director and I are all that comprise the staff body at our post - with over 300 teens. Please pray for me in this decision making process as well as for provisions if I choose to stay. I would need to raise around $700 in monthly support. I would love to hear any of your thoughts or any word the Lord may put on your hearts; and I, in turn, have so many amazing stories that I hope to be able to share with you.
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