Since the end of April, I have switched jobs, quit jobs, gave up my summer to the Lord, and got another job. I have also gotten back involved in Prison Ministry, and I am loving it more and more every week. I've registered for all my courses for Nursing at the University of Alberta in the fall, and I cannot waiiiiiiit for September to come. I'm ready to go back to school.
I have gone camping for my Mom's side of the family reunion, and recently I returned from a week-long trip to Washington to visit Jessie from my DTS. In about t-11 hours I leave with my parents and brother to Vancouver for my Dad's side of the family reunion. My baby sister is in New Zealand currently; she started her Medical DTS about two weeks ago. We skyped for about an hour and a half tonight, and my chest hurts thinking about her. Martha if you read my blog still, I miss you. A lot.
A gift that God has given me is insight. Insight into others lives, insight into when people are hurting. I often carry burdens for people and intercede for them in my heart constantly. Right now the names coming into my head... Darryl. A homeless guy me and a few friends met downtown. Mercedes. One of the little girls from Kid's Rally (a kid's program for low income families). D (name withheld). A guy I met in our prison ministry at EYOC. I think it is fair to say that often we as society run into hurting people and don't really care. Or, we may care for a while and then forget their names. Even as I write an image comes into my mind. A dirty, faded photograph of a crying child. Given to me while I was in the Dominican Republic from a mom who lost her baby. Her estranged husband stole their child and ran back to Haiti with him. Often upon meeting someone and hearing their story, it is very impactful. But how about two months later? How about even two weeks later? We're called to "pray without ceasing" - 1 Thess 5:17. That doesn't mean pray today, and then get distracted tomorrow and stop caring. Without ceasing means without ceasing!
I want my every breath, my every day to be these prayers for these people. I want to be one of those Christians that makes an impact, that people notice. I don't want to be one of those people who says "absolutely I'll pray for you" and then walk away and forget their name. I want to love like Jesus did. I want to be ridiculous for my Savior and be a light. I want to change lives. As I dig more and more into the Word, I understand more who Jesus was, what He did for me, and therefore how I can be that light!!!! It's inspiring to be living it out, even outside the confines of YWAM's walls. I hope through the love God has put in my heart for the hurting, the broken, the left out, can radiate to everyone I meet, every day. Not just Sunday. Not just when I'm inspired.
Every day.
