So, here I am. Here we are, heading down the freeway at 55mph in our old new motorhome, toting backpacks, Pilot coffee and a ukulele, ready to be adopted for the second time in a week.
Wait what! Rewind. :)
Last Friday, we entered First Baptist of Picayune, Mississippi and set up for our first Thirst summit of the year. Following our fine dining experience at "the Char" provided by the generous patrons of the church-- at which Hannah, Andrew and I laughed almost too much (bread pudding, bread comes out), gave each other visual tours through our homes via sketched-on-the-paper-tablecover blueprints, and of course, made puns -- Jennifer and I met our host mom, Miss Debbie Wolfe, and moved into her world for the week. Besides having an absolutely FANTASTIC host mom, we also got to share life with Solomon, Tulip and Sadie, her loving pig, goat and persnickety dachshund, respectively. *Cool side note: Sadie went from growling and attacking our feet to actually curling up on the couch with Jenn yesterday.*
Saturday's set up went smoothly with only a few Gaffer's tape wads launched by Nathan or myself in the epic Gaffer's tape war. To be continued.
Come Sunday morning, we did indeed have the big group of kids predicted. If I remember correctly, we had approximately 25 that morning, increasing to 32 Monday evening. This was the most high-energy yet attentive group we've had so far. Because it was such a large group, it seemed more chaotic at times, yet our prayers for the kid's excitement to be all about Jesus and the lessons & not just the fun & games we teachers make happen, were answered. So many of the sweet kiddos were incredibly helpful and friendly towards us and the other kids, they truly listened and they participated in the lessons way more than we expected. For example, during Hannah's lesson on Surrender, when her character is convincing herself that this one sin isn't really that bad and starts to act on it, the kids started gasping and telling her "No, Nikki, no! Don't do it!" ; and, when us teachers reminded them to follow the "zip up" rule so they could hear what else Nikki was saying, they continued to shake their heads and whisper "No!"
We had the challenging and beautiful blessing of having one little boy named Eli in club Sunday and Wednesday. Eli has autism, and I believe is the first child with special needs that we've worked with this traveling year. Not only was it a divine opportunity for us teachers collectively to grow in patience and to learn to show unconditional love, it was a huge God-planned milestone in my walk with Him. I've always been uncomfortable around people with special needs. Mainly because I am not sure how to think like they do and meet them where they're at....because I usually can't figure out where they are at, at least not without some background from loved ones. It was a lesson God began really teaching me last year at our host home with Miss Iva, our host parent's mother who had Alzheimer's. He revealed to me that I was prideful in the area of rationalization, justice intelligence. Strange, I know. How does pride creep into such odd areas as that? Let me tell you, it can. I highly valued justice and rational thinking, more than mercy and compassion. It was amazing then to see how Miss Jan, our host mom, and Suzanne, my dear sis who worked in an assisted living home before tour, related to Miss Iva, and it was amazing this week to see how God worked in my heart to want to become Eli's friend, to be allowed into his little world, just for a few days. The all-encompassing joy he has over the smallest things and the enthusiasm he had to be in Happy Heart City inspired me. The best thing was Wednesday night when the Doctor Snood Siblings came in and apologized for their wicked ways, as they were leaving, Eli got up from the puzzle he was working on at the back of the room, ran to them and gave Josh a huge hug. If nothing else, through Eli God showed me what love for Him should look like. All-encompassing, enthusiastic. And unbound by man's standards. :)
I had to fight tears all Wednesday night. We CMs (Children's Ministers) all agreed that we wished this summit was longer than a 4-day, for the sake of being with this group of kids longer.
As for what else the Lord has taught me over the course of this summit... for one, peace. I've been convicted of my anxiety and fear of man, and over the course of this week, God has miraculously replenished His peace within my soul. I've been prideful in my unwillingness to trust Him wholly these past few weeks, and finally came to realize that He has not left me and never will. I am free to pray. I am free to ask for His strength and courage to fight the good fight, both against my own selfish will and the wiles of the devil. He is good. SO good. I haven't always thought so, much to my shame. But thank heavens it's not about me. Not one bit. :) He is beautiful in power and constantly at work. Oh! And I am so thankful that He has helped me to open my eyes to the evidence of His hand all around me. He is the strength of my spirit, the stronghold and joy of my life, the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!
"You have called me higherYou have called me deeper
And I'll go where You may lead me..."
Friday we took a field trip/ tour around New Orleans. Needless to say, my heart was breaking the entire time as we passed home after home in ruins, walls painted with words devoid of hope and adamantly rebellious, and then entered the St. Louis cathedral. But the Lord kept reminding me to pray, and though I wish I had listened more, I am grateful to Him for His lovingkindness and faithfulness in searching me out and calling me to intercede on the people's behalf. It was emotionally exhausting and yet, in a quiet way, a display of His power.
SO! As for the 55mph in the new/old moho! One member of the church generously donated their motorhome, which me, Amanda, Nick, Hannah and Michael are attempting to drive all the way to Dothan, Alabama, our next Summit location. Worst case scenario, the trannie fully gives out and we leave her in Mobile. It's funny. Some days I feel like we're hobos. Other days like orphans...missionaries.... immigrants. Today I feel like some kind of hippie. We're in an old motorhome bouncing down the road with the sun shining above, the delta streams sparkling on either side of the highway, and though we haven't broken out the ukulele yet and this big girl is barely put-puttin' along, we've got songs played on our heartstrings to last us through the night.
Thank you, Lord, for Your goodness. Give us strength for the battle, joy for the journey and chances to share the truth of your salvation with others.
Love you.
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