Hey Guys-
I'm so sorry I haven't posted in over a month. My host family doesn't have the Internet, and during Mission Indy weeks we don't have computer access at all. So, Panera is the only place I can come, and finding time for that is quite difficult. Anyway, this past month has been radical. Anything that I thought I knew, I now realize I don't know it. So much of what we have learned has raised so many questions for me. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing I know is Christ and him crucified. We interns have had so many heartfelt discussions with one another about all that we have seen and heard throughout the last month. The only conclusion that we have come to is that Christ alone holds all the treasures of wisdom, and that God's purpose is to reconcile all things to himself. Therefore, we must seek Him. Seek him. So simple. Yet we make it so complicated. So much of what I have learned these past few weeks has made me frustrated. How could I have missed all of this my whole life? How could have I missed so much of the Scriptures? But, I realize that God has opened my eyes right now for a reason, and I can't change anything that is wrong in the world. It is by God's power alone that redemption comes. Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches and apart from him we can bear no fruit. I am clinging to that verse this summer. I must seek Christ with all my heart if I truly want to be a part of God's redemption of all things.
Since I have waited so long to post, it is really difficult for me to tell you all that has occurred and all that I have learned. I will try to make this brief. As far as what has occurred. When I first got here, I met the other 10 interns and we began an intense two weeks of training. We visited numerous ministries throughout the city, discussed how to effectively lead and equip the youth ministries that would be coming in here, worked in different projects throughout the city, prayed with one another, studied the Word together, learned incredible amounts of wisdom from Mike Bowling (the minister at Englewood Christian Church) as we studied Mere Discipleship, and sought after God's will for the church in the world today. I am pretty sure I learned more in those two weeks than I have in my life! Somewhat overwhelming but absolutely incredible for sure. After training, we started with our individual ministries. For the whole third week that I was here, I worked with Shepherd Community's day camp program. I was placed in the Kindergarten and first grade classroom which has been such a joy! They are so beautiful! Every morning, we have worship and Bible Study with the kids. There is nothing more awesome than to see 115 kids singing, "There is no God like Jehovah!" Even though it is awesome to see them worship, they do wear me out for sure. Pray that God would continue to strengthen me throughout the long days. I know that I must continue allowing myself to be filled if I want to pour myself out for these kids. This past we just had our first Mission Indy week. It was terrific. There were 35 participants. Elizabeth and I led a group from Clear Creek in painting a house. We didn't quite finish due to unexpected amounts of scraping and caulking that needed to be done as well as some bad weather, but all in all, it was a great week.
So, on to what I have learned. I am going to make this a bullet point in order to make it easier and hopefully shorter. I am certain, however, that I am leaving things out. Here goes:
-You practice your real convictions. Please just think about that one. So true.
-All of my life must be a part of God's redemption: my career, my major, my disciplining of my children, my interactions with every person I encounter.
-Suburban ministry very well could be harder than urban ministry because the sins are hidden
-"What if" questions do not follow Jesus' commandment of "Do not worry about tomorrow"
-My wisdom is not greater than God's. I am not called to understand all that God commands, only to obey.
-The love that Christ preached should look radically different than the love of the world.
-Every part of the Word is to be obeyed. I cannot pick and choose what I want to obey.
-We are called to serve the widows, orphans, and the strangers in this land.
-Every Christian is called to serve the poor whether here or abroad. We must.
-True community is more than just meeting once a week.
-If I truly believe that it is by God's power that I am doing what I am doing, then I should have no problems practicing Sabbath rest. But do I? Again, I practice my real convictions.
There is so much more, but that is good for now. :) I honestly can't remember everything that I have learned at the moment. One thing in particular though that pertains to all of the above is that I cannot hold off to apply all of this until I get home. I must seek to honor God's commandments now while I am here otherwise I never will. I am really struggling right now to love as Christ loved. I am realizing just how much I think this life is all about me. I can say that I don't, but in all reality, I practice my real convictions. Pray that my convictions would be changed. I thank you all for your prayer and support. Can't wait to see you guys! Keep in touch!
-Kels
I'm so sorry I haven't posted in over a month. My host family doesn't have the Internet, and during Mission Indy weeks we don't have computer access at all. So, Panera is the only place I can come, and finding time for that is quite difficult. Anyway, this past month has been radical. Anything that I thought I knew, I now realize I don't know it. So much of what we have learned has raised so many questions for me. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing I know is Christ and him crucified. We interns have had so many heartfelt discussions with one another about all that we have seen and heard throughout the last month. The only conclusion that we have come to is that Christ alone holds all the treasures of wisdom, and that God's purpose is to reconcile all things to himself. Therefore, we must seek Him. Seek him. So simple. Yet we make it so complicated. So much of what I have learned these past few weeks has made me frustrated. How could I have missed all of this my whole life? How could have I missed so much of the Scriptures? But, I realize that God has opened my eyes right now for a reason, and I can't change anything that is wrong in the world. It is by God's power alone that redemption comes. Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches and apart from him we can bear no fruit. I am clinging to that verse this summer. I must seek Christ with all my heart if I truly want to be a part of God's redemption of all things.
Since I have waited so long to post, it is really difficult for me to tell you all that has occurred and all that I have learned. I will try to make this brief. As far as what has occurred. When I first got here, I met the other 10 interns and we began an intense two weeks of training. We visited numerous ministries throughout the city, discussed how to effectively lead and equip the youth ministries that would be coming in here, worked in different projects throughout the city, prayed with one another, studied the Word together, learned incredible amounts of wisdom from Mike Bowling (the minister at Englewood Christian Church) as we studied Mere Discipleship, and sought after God's will for the church in the world today. I am pretty sure I learned more in those two weeks than I have in my life! Somewhat overwhelming but absolutely incredible for sure. After training, we started with our individual ministries. For the whole third week that I was here, I worked with Shepherd Community's day camp program. I was placed in the Kindergarten and first grade classroom which has been such a joy! They are so beautiful! Every morning, we have worship and Bible Study with the kids. There is nothing more awesome than to see 115 kids singing, "There is no God like Jehovah!" Even though it is awesome to see them worship, they do wear me out for sure. Pray that God would continue to strengthen me throughout the long days. I know that I must continue allowing myself to be filled if I want to pour myself out for these kids. This past we just had our first Mission Indy week. It was terrific. There were 35 participants. Elizabeth and I led a group from Clear Creek in painting a house. We didn't quite finish due to unexpected amounts of scraping and caulking that needed to be done as well as some bad weather, but all in all, it was a great week.
So, on to what I have learned. I am going to make this a bullet point in order to make it easier and hopefully shorter. I am certain, however, that I am leaving things out. Here goes:
-You practice your real convictions. Please just think about that one. So true.
-All of my life must be a part of God's redemption: my career, my major, my disciplining of my children, my interactions with every person I encounter.
-Suburban ministry very well could be harder than urban ministry because the sins are hidden
-"What if" questions do not follow Jesus' commandment of "Do not worry about tomorrow"
-My wisdom is not greater than God's. I am not called to understand all that God commands, only to obey.
-The love that Christ preached should look radically different than the love of the world.
-Every part of the Word is to be obeyed. I cannot pick and choose what I want to obey.
-We are called to serve the widows, orphans, and the strangers in this land.
-Every Christian is called to serve the poor whether here or abroad. We must.
-True community is more than just meeting once a week.
-If I truly believe that it is by God's power that I am doing what I am doing, then I should have no problems practicing Sabbath rest. But do I? Again, I practice my real convictions.
There is so much more, but that is good for now. :) I honestly can't remember everything that I have learned at the moment. One thing in particular though that pertains to all of the above is that I cannot hold off to apply all of this until I get home. I must seek to honor God's commandments now while I am here otherwise I never will. I am really struggling right now to love as Christ loved. I am realizing just how much I think this life is all about me. I can say that I don't, but in all reality, I practice my real convictions. Pray that my convictions would be changed. I thank you all for your prayer and support. Can't wait to see you guys! Keep in touch!
-Kels
Wow! Looks as if you have been busy and are learning bunches! I will certainly keep you and the group you are with in my prayers.
ReplyDelete~Brandi
Thanks! I would really appreciate it. :) How's your summer been going?
ReplyDelete