Mid-Summer Updates!! Sorry It's Been so Long!!

Hello all! I know, I know... It's been so long since I have wrote on here! Due to a call from my Dad today, saying that I needed to update it, here's to you daddy-O! :)

Well, the Lord is CONSTANTLY teaching me new things in every moment. I could never write in one entry all that He has been doing, but I will try and do what I can!

After Africa, I had MAJOR culture shock and over a month later, am still feeling it. I am constantly running and staying so busy that it can sometimes be hard for me to focus all my thoughts from what I experienced and I still don't think I have completely processed everything that happened in Africa. Just to give you an insight on a few reasons why I cannot completely process everything. I held babies who had been raped and thrown on the streets and left for death. I played with children who's mother and father both tried to kill them, but with only the strength from the Lord had the courage to live. I hung out with teens who had been taking care of the children at the orphanage for years, but let alone, never had anyone to take care of them.

I slept in a house the size of my room with no power or running water with a 10 month old baby crying through the night, due to thirst. I walked on top of a dump, my shoes were melting while the trashed burned and Mozambiquians dug for thier food and anything they could use or sell. I watched a woman maybe my age, eat some sort of fruit with maggots all over it. I saw dying children in a run down hospital, many with large tumors and infections. I talked with people who had never heard of the name of Jesus before in thier lives, and watched them fall to thier knees in shock of what He did.

Through all of this, I have never felt so much of the Lord. I saw the Lord moving in all of these things, despite the seeing the horor of it. I have never felt so much promise by God and the way He tells me that He WILL take care of these people. I have never seen healing the ways I saw it in Africa and among the people we simply layed hands on. The Holy Spirit was evident! God is powerful!

I couls sit here all day and write stories among stories of what God did in Africa. It would take me forever. I am still shocked and amazed by everything. I have learned to seek God in every situation, and to be able to see how God is so evident in EVERYTHING we do has been something huge on my heart. The Lord is providing, He is healing. My God is mighty to save!

Anyhow, I have been finding comfort in simple things everyday. God has been providing me with so many opprotunites and I have been jumping at every one of them. This summer has been a constant rush, but I have been finding myself drawing closer and closer to the heart of God like I never have before.

Soon after Africa lead me into a new adventure! Duncan, Oklahoma! I LOVE Duncan! I am working with the United Methodist church with Amy and Wopsle and learning so much about church and the ways it's done. The first week of June we took our middle schoolers to Disciple camp. I know I grew there and I pray that the kids got just as much out of it as I did.

The week we got back, Amy and Wopsle left for Falls Creek, only for me to be left in Duncan all alone for a whole week.. Not knowing anyone! I spent A LOT of time with Jesus that week, finding myself craving to be with Him when I wasn't. I also jumped right in and made a few friends! I am so blessed that God has put some amazing people in my life here in Duncan and it makes life so much fun!

A few days ago I returned from Student Life Camp in Roach, Missouri. I went with Crossing's Community Church where I had an internship before I came to Duncan. Seeing all the kids again was so much fun and experiencing that camp was the best! I have stories and stories to tell about it and loved every min. of it!

Tomorrow we leave once again for a week in Lawton for a camp called Youth Force. I have never been before, but we will be fixing up old houses and building relationships with people who do not go to church.

Life has been fun this summer, living out of suitcases and spending time with kids. I feel more and more equipped everyday for a future in ministry with youth. This summer has been amazing and I have never felt so blessed in my life. I will try to continue to post as much as I can, but it has been such a busy season in my life! But reguardless of what I am doing this summer, God is still at work in everything! God is moving people!