I want to fill you in with what has been going on these last two weeks, and I have no idea where to start! The first week we had training camp, and it was one of the most influential camps I've ever gone to! They taught us how to truly be God's hands and feet and have a full understanding of what it means to be a servant . Here are some core points I learned to consider whenever going into another country to do ministry:

1) picture taking: a big issue that AIM covered was when to take pictures. As Americans, we generally like to take a picture with the first child we meet and plaster it on a slideshow after returning to the states. AIM taught us how much to value relationships, and that you should take a picture when you know that child's name, who tehy are, and to make a copy for them because your relationship mattered. So although it's weird not to have a camera around my neck, its the way Christ would have done it-purely focused on relationships with others.

2) I also learned what it meant to be in a ministry. I have found myself on previous mission trips feeling useless when the construction work was done in half the time and waiting a couple hours with nothing to do. But I learned what it means to be truly relational especially in the times you feel you're no "doing" anything; to talk to the employees at a daycare and listen to their story instead of playing with the kids the whole time, or pray to God what to do and allow the spirit to lead you. In South Africa and in most countries, relationships are valued very highly, and I just love that atmosphere.

 

I want to leave you off with a part of scripture I really came to love over training camp that serves as such a model to me: This is right after John the Baptist was beheaded and Jesus first heard about his cousin's death. Matt 14:13-14 says, "When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. As He stepped ashore, he saw a huge crowd, felt COMPASSION for them, and healed their sick.

 

   This is such an example to me, because there are going to be days when I am burdened with heavy emotional issues in which I won't want to be doing ministry and I'll want to be alone, but Christ was the ultimate example of true compassion, of true love. I learned that I have to release all of my emotional baggage each day before going out into ministry, because when I see people diseased by AIDS, or kids with no home to go to, it is going to take an emotional toll which will affect me negatively if I am overflowing with burdens.

 

     I know I am writing all over the place, but it's hard to sum all that I've learned in a page, which I guess it a good thing. I will be telling you more about my ministry in the daycare and orphanage, and I would appreciate any prayers or emails the Spirit has led you to do! Thank you so much for your support--I miss you all!