I LEARNED HOW TO JERK!

As I am sitting here I asked the girls what the title of this blog should be. Hints the title... The "jerk" is a dance move and the students taught me how to do it last night. It took me a while but I was so excited to finally learn it.

Speaking of the students, they are all doing great! I think everyone of them absolutely love being here. Even though we really have no idea what we will be doing everyday, they are so willing to jump at every opportunity to serve. I feel as if each one of them are growing in their relationship with the Lord. One of my favorite things is seeing them do their quiet times and praying that the Lord is speaking to them through His word. I love waking up in the mornings and seeing the students that sit down and take their bibles out just to soak up what God has to speak to them for the day.

I am learning a lot through the students and what God is doing in them. One thing that He has been teaching me through them is forgiveness. Yesterday as we were working with the bricks, I was hauling bricks back and forth and I accidentally dropped a brick on Hannah Wilson's shin. I felt awful and before I could even start apologizing she started reassuring me that she was fine and it wasn't a big deal. What a perfect picture of Christ. Also, the night before last I got a little annoyed with the girls as we were going to bed. All night I kept warning them to be quiet and respect others and I felt as if they were mad at me for ruining the fun that they were having. The next day when we woke up I was expecting them to be mad at me but as soon as I got up and around things were just they way they were before and we were all best friends again. It's like they had forgotten how they felt last night. I really had a "God moment" after I realized that they weren't mad at me anymore. This is when I could truly see God in them and who He really is. His forgiveness and grace surpasses all understanding and He was and is moving in their lives.

Brian brings us the word every morning and it is so encouraging. I hope and pray that the Lord is speaking to the kids through what he is saying. It is always rough in the mornings so the kids have a hard time staying awake and focused, so please pray that Christ's message gets through to them during these times, because what Brian says is really motivating and applicable to these kids.

Parents- just a warning: Your kids may come home wanting to spend their time with the poor. But don't worry because God will protect them. I encourage you to pray for your kids and support them in their urgency to serve those who are poor and suffering in our own community.

Thanks for praying! We can feel the prayers. Please keep them coming!

Love, Ava