Two Weeks Out

Now that the semester is over, I think it's finally sinking in that we leave for Puerto Rico in only two weeks. It's weird to think I'm finally going to be back. All the amazing memories from last year are coming back and it makes me excited to go back to the Island (for all you Lost fans, that was not a reference to that island). However, things are going to be a little different. I get to go back as a leader, which is exciting, but at the same time really nerve racking. I posted this in the Facebook group for the PR leaders and I think it sums up what I'm thinking:

This summer, we're gonna have the amazing opportunity to pour into the lives of fellow students, both younger, our peers and possible even older. It can seem a little scary to have that challenge before us, especially when I see my own shortcomings every day. I ask myself, "who am I to be able to do this". Then I realized, we can't do it. Maybe at first we can, but in PR, you really get to know people, and they will see right through us and see the mask we have on. That's when God reminds me of the promises He spoke through Jesus in Matthew 19

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'". God can use us to impact their lives in ways we can't even imagine, because it's going to be God working through us, not us doing it by our own strength. When we cling to Jesus, dive into the Word more and more each day, and starting living out those verses like Galatians 2:20, 5:16, Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17, it's going to have an amazing influence on everyone at Project. When the folks we're leading see us, are they're still going to see our brokenness, our struggles, fears, insecurities? Absolutely, however they're going to see a sinner redeemed, being a light pointing back to the awesomeness of a loving God.

As we prepare to go to San Juan this summer as leaders, to take our focus on our own strengths, leadership skills, etc, for they will fail. But rather put our focus on Christ and His purpose on earth, and amazing things will happen.

It's going to be exciting to see what happens. I'm ready to see how God works through all of us this summer. I know I'm going to be spending these next two weeks in thoughtful prayer with God preparing for this amazing month we're gonna spend in Puerto Rico, along with finishing raising support for the trip. I'd encourage y'all to pray for myself and the other leaders that we would be prepared to allow God to work in our hearts, and pour into the lives of the students we are leading.