day 33

Its Wednesday and English camp is already two and a half weeks in. Its crazy to think I've been here an entire month. In four and a half weeks I've discovered my passion for teaching, seen Jesus' victory over all sorts of demons, and brushed my hair a grand total of four times.

Week two of camp brought familiar routine and new challenges. By that I mean the kids started pushing their limits with the "blondes." Its already difficult because they don't view blondes as authority figures, let alone women as primary disciplinarians. This week was all about earning their respect (which I think we finally did). I've also been able to see them succeed and share in their joy, and that makes it all worth it.

Also Ilomise taught me how to braid and bead hair which by the way is a heck of a lot harder than it looks.

At the end of a long week, we were able to spend Saturday at the beach. It was weird to experience luxury in the midst of poverty, like I felt guilty for being able to enjoy myself that way; but it did offer some much needed R&R.

 

And that wasn't the end of adventure weekend. Monday we took an intern excursion to hike up Ona Mountain to some uncharted territory. At the bottom, we returned to an Onaville foutbol game (a big deal seeing as there was an announcer with a microphone and everything).

 

yes, those are seashells on top of the mountain

I also have the chance to run games this week at camp, I taught the kids how to play Red Rover and since these ti mouns are tough as nails they LOVED it. Its been great to be less of a disciplinarian and more of a friend these last few camp days.

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know Me?" Jeremiah 22:16

Yesterday at intern devotion Austin brought some good points to the table. If we are all here really doing His work, answering to where and what He has called us, why are we experiencing so much brokenness and attack in our own lives? The answer:

"But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:24-27

We are not rescuing the helpless, we are brothers and sisters sharing in family matters.

So I'm asking that for these last two weeks God would continue to humble me every day so that I see myself interacting with His people the way Jesus sees us interacting with Him: eye to eye and hand in hand.