Small Victories

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect this first week of camp. Even a full week of training couldn't fully prepare us for the real thing. However, God does "infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20). All week he has shown me the small marvels of his creation and his people.
Tuesday was my birthday, and the other Summer Missionaries surprised me with a Birthday Princess sash, a song, and a late night trip for beignets. My student group also bought me a broccoli bouquet because they saw how happy broccoli at the cafeteria made me. It was so thoughtful of these kids that had literally only known me for two days. I felt so loved by new friends here and old friends and family back home.
My group this week was from Green Forest United Methodist Church in Arkansas. The 13 students were mostly in high school, with a few middle schoolers as well.
My team spent time at a local food pantry, community garden, and at Bethel Colony South (explained in my last post). I was so proud of their eagerness to step in and serve: loading food into cars, pulling weeds, and sorting clothing donations.
We also did homeless ministry every day, handing out water bottles, T-shirts, hats, and tracts to the people we met in the French Quarter or under an overpass. We began by meeting a physical need in hopes of also addressing a deeper, spiritual need. We could tell that some people did not want to talk to us, but others would have long conversations, hungry for human interaction. We learned that the life of a homeless person can be lonely. One man we talked to used to be a youth minister. Now people avoid making eye contact with him, much less starting a conversation. One of the things my students observed was how the homeless actually aren't that much different than us. They need the same things that we do: food, water, shelter, and love.
At the beginning of the week my students were very nervous to talk to the homeless. They would almost throw things at people and run away. I encouraged them to start a conversation and really get to know a person's story. After I modeled how this can be done, I saw them begin to step up and initiate conversations.
One of the girls who was especially shy attached herself to me pretty early on in the week. It was her first mission trip, and she was nervous about talking to people. For much of the trip she was content to hand out items and let someone else do the talking. However, I encouraged her to pray for one man we met under the overpass. She reluctantly agreed, and told me afterwards that that was the first time she had prayed for someone out loud. What a big step for her! Something that may seem simple to us was a milestone in this girl's life. I was so proud of her boldness in the Lord.
It was then that I really began to grasp my role as a Summer Missionary. Yes I am to minister to the people of New Orleans, but even more so, I am to minister to these students. In so doing lives will be changed in New Orleans, but also in every town where the students return home. 2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." This is the most effective form of ministry. Paul is encouraging Timothy to pass the baton to others who can also teach, creating a ripple effect for the kingdom of God.
My job isn't always glamorous. Sometimes it is being at the worship center at 6:30 a.m. to set up the sound for morning focus. Sometimes it is setting up chairs or high-fiving students as they come in the cafeteria. But it is good. And it is all worth it for the small victories God provides,