I know it has been a couple of weeks since the last update. Good thing is, I have lots to share! Haha!
A group from Advent church arrived Tuesday, June 7th and departed Sunday, June 12th. Their group was made up of mostly high school students with the exception of their leaders. Because I have not hung out with high school students in a while, I had forgotten what high school students are like. I have to say it was a ton of fun hanging out with this group from Spartanburg, SC. They were a lively bunch that loved to joke and laugh. Another awesome thing I noticed was how eager and ready they were to serve. When we needed volunteers to serve food, it took less than 10 seconds for 5 of them to volunteer. No one had to tell them, they just volunteered. Their attitudes were so positive and fun that they did not even seem to mind that they were the last ones eating.
These high schoolers were also very encouraging to me as they embraced me as a leader and even had many positive things to say to me about my leadership. This was very encouraging to me since they were my first group and I have not done this before. There leader, Zac Blankenship, is one of my long time friends and one of the craziest people I know. While Zac is very funny, he was also serious about them learning and growing from this mission trip. I really appreciated that.
The students were able to work at a ministry site called Second Chances that serves as a safe place for students after school for them to do their homework, make friendships, and learn about Jesus. Second Chances is located in a low income and dangerous neighborhood that is full of cultural opportunities. Vendors along the street sell meat, fruits, veggies, and other necessities. In this neighborhood people do not go to the supermarket but stop at small shops and vendors to get what they need. On one occasion, Zac and I were walking together through the neighborhood and a woman came running up out of nowhere, tapped me on the shoulder and told us that it was too dangerous for us to walk any further and that we needed to return where we came from. When I asked her if she had heard someone talking about robbing us she didn’t say anything and just insisted that we return and that we could not walk any further. I did not know this woman and she came out of nowhere. Whether she was an angel or just a kind woman watching out for us, I don’t know, but I am thankful that she helped keep us safe.
The students sanded and painted the inside and outside of the Second Chances building. In the end, they had finished a beautiful mural that you can see here on the outside of the building. What I reaped from this experience and what I am still learning with the new team that is currently here are my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. What I saw in myself is the ability to connect with others regardless of age and how to be a friend to them in foreign places. What I am also seeing in myself is impatience and lack of understanding for others who have not had the same experiences as me or who do not see the world the same way I do.
What I really need prayer for is that I will be able to see purpose in what I am doing and that I will stay fully motivated. In all honesty, since the Advent Team returned to SC, I have felt tired, unmotivated, and lacking purpose. There are some huge protests going on in Ecuador right now. These protests caused a 45 minute drive to go pick up a team this past Sunday to last 9 hours. From what I understand of the situation, people are protesting unfair prices. People are hungry and without food and unable to feed their children. For this reason the people want to kick the president out as he has not followed through with any of his promises. I hope that both parties can reach a place that benefits both sides. Please stay in prayer for this situation and for the people of Ecuador.
Until next time,
Isaac
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