Anyways where oh were do I begin!? Lets begin with Chi-Town
I can't even begin to explain how great this trip was! I was on team 10 and seriously I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! It's crazy how quickly we just all clicked and got along and just loved each other- the Lord clearly knew what he was doing when he put us all together! We were all there to lift each other up and be there for each other and were so comfortable just to be ourselves and goof around ( which was probably a great thing because we were in Prayer and Street Evangelism ) which was difficult and kind of draining emotionally, spiritually, and physically so the fact that we could lift each others' spirits and encourage was so wonderful! I've been on mission trips since 8th grade and this one was probably one of my favorite because it was so encouraging to be further in my walk with Christ and be surrounded by people who are where I'm at and further so not only could I pour into people but I was poured into as well- we all know that is so crucial to have people pour into you. I was a little nervous to do street evangelism but when I am weak the Lord is strong. I promise I really think my little group (me, mary-margaret, kyle, and david -my little children I LOVE YALL!) i think we walked at least 40 miles all together, I'm not even kidding. Anyways, here are a few stories that really stick out in my mind: The first day David met a guy named Johnathan- now Johnathan was homeless and he said it was by choice he also had a heart for the Lord, loved people, I think he had fetal alcohol syndrome, and he was just all around awesome- and they talked for like an hour then David introduced us to Johnathan and we talked with him for another hour then I just really felt like he should come eat lunch with us so he came and ate lunch with us, met the rest of our team, and then after lunch introduced us to some of his friends. That's when we met Leroy- Leroy had just gotten out of jail 4 months ago and he said that he had family but he didn't want to be a burden or another mouth to feed so he chose to be homeless- Mary Margaret and I sat on the bridge with him and talked and then prayed with him, while we were praying Kyle and David were talking to someone and they said so many people looked at us very judgmentally - and personally I think that is a sad testament to our society that people think so poorly of homeless people and prayer, I think society would be a much better place if there was less judgement, more prayer, and more people caring about others. Anyways, finally the last person that really sticks out in my mind is a sweet lady we met out front of a Walgreens. At first we just walked into Walgreens and didn't stop to talk to her but when we came out I just felt the spirit lead me to go talk to her. I sat and talked with her about her story and she asked question and told us that her birthday was on Thursday and that she only needed $10 to buy foodstamps and go to the shelter for the night for meals, a shower, and a place to sleep for the night. I decided to give her $10 and then I asked if I could pray with her and she said " I was waiting for you to ask" So i prayed with her and as we were praying I heard her crying and then when I was done praying I just felt like I needed to hug her and it was as if she hadn't been hugged in years (she might not have) but she held on for dear life and then cried in my arms and I really can't begin to explain how much that broke my heart and I just wanted to give her all my love and take care of her but I know she is a beautiful child of God and God will take care of her and protect her. That leads me to the hardest part of the trip and thats the things that I struggled with during the trip: what are people's intentions, who is genuine, who do you stop and talk to, who do you give money to, and how did Jesus do that every day of his life? It really was such a struggle and so draining and I still kind of wrestle with the questions but Jesus gave his all and was ultimately used so I can't even begin to try to feel used like he was and I just have to have the faith that God has a plan and he knows people's intentions and I just have to have complete hope and faith in Him.
Let's see what else here is a brief overview of this past week:
- a parking services man stopped me and had a ten minuet conversation about anything and everything and then he told me "I just felt like you should hear this- a pastor once told me if you could see the Big Picture God has for you, you'd bow down on your knees and thank Him immediately." That was really cool because I needed to be reminded of that, he basically told me the Lord has big plans for me, and I had never met him before- it really was heaven sent.
- my brother turned 17- crazy I know- it makes me feel old
- WE GOT NEW LEADERS AT PICKENS!!!
I'm so excited to see how the Lord uses them and how they complete our team. They are all super awesome and wonderful and I'm blessed to call them my teammates. #stacked
I think that is all I can think of for this moment OH I'm being a "night owl"---shout out to Bobby and Austin
I hope yall are doing wonderfully I will write tomorrow
With ALL my love - Cam
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