One life to Love

Its been 6 1/2 weeks since my adventure as a summer missionary began. Sadly this means that in 3 1/2 weeks I'll be leaving Beaufort. I've had an absolutely blast. There have been hard days with tired bodies, lousy attitudes, bad weather, and a number of other discomforts. But I have learned first hand, how when you are uncomfortable you must rely on God to bring you through. It is in those times that you find out how real your faith is. You also discover how real and strong God is by experiencing your own weakness.

There have been many people who have impacted my life this summer. The many mission teams that I have had the pleasure to serve alongside have taught more about God and his love, than the 20 years I have spent in pews listening to sermons. The many children I have met, have taught me how God looks at me as this pitiful and yet mighty child of his. No matter what I do, he still wants me around. My supervisor and my teammates have taught me what it means to cooperate in order to meet a larger goal, in this case building the kingdom of God.

Yesterday was our first Salvation. I didn't lead Shana to Christ, but Tiara did. I did however, get to watch the process happen. Who knew that the story of Samson would pull such questions at a 14 year old that she would end up accepting Jesus as her savior and Lord within the hour.

I have to admit that there is a part of me that longs for home. Longs for own bed and room. That longs to be with my family and my childhood friends. There is a part of me that longs for my next adventure to begin, moving into my first apartment, and to be with my roommates. But while still being honest, I'm going to miss this summer. It has flown by faster than any other 2 month period in my life. I'll be forever grateful for the things I have learned, the people I have met, and the memories made. There could never be a substitute for this summer, it has been the perfect way to spend my free time. I'm not quite ready to let this experience go. I'm already thinking of what I might do next summer while I'm still young and in school.

As the band 33 Miles writes

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.