Impact

This has been a week to remember at our house.  As we continue to minister to the community of Santa Fe, taking the gospel to those who may never have heard, we had the privilege of enjoying some temporary partners in our ministry.  This week five students who are part of the collegiate ministries at their universities in New Mexico joined with us in implementing Backyard Bible Clubs and an incredible block party along with loving on and hanging out with our own children and families involved in our ministry.


 I would have to say that it made a huge impact on our own kids and all of the lives that they were able to touch while they were here.  Did anyone commit their life to Christ? Not that we know of.  Are people flocking to our church as a result of their ministry? Not that we know of yet.  But lives were touched and people were able to see a different way of life, something worth asking about, something worth discussing.  Why would five students give up their summer to drive around the state of New Mexico to play with and teach kids that they don't even know and may never see again? Why would they be willing to do whatever a church that they have been assigned to asks of them, sometimes not knowing what they will be doing until they get to their next location? Because they were asked to by God and they desire to give their life to Christ...all of it, including their summer, including their free time, including their own comfort.  One guy slept on our couch this week...I'm hoping the dog didn't lick his face while he slept.


 I was personally impacted by their graciousness on many occasions this week, each one of the students showing gratitude or kindness or asking a thoughtful question about one of my kids.  One student went out of her comfort zone to experience the total admiration of our youngest child who tends to love people with all of her being.  Rosie was a great sport and made this mom smile on many occasions as our six year old lavished attention on her without being pushed away. I know that wasn't an easy thing to do but it was important to one little girl (and her mom).


 I enjoyed having students to feed and to listen to their stories.  I enjoyed hearing Jamie share his vision with them and watching them soak in what Christ is doing in our lives here.  I enjoyed their games, songs and stories about Jesus as they shared with the kids that we know and seeing the admiration on my own son's face as he participated in the activities.  I greatly admired the team's willingness to go to his baseball game when they could have done something else.  I am thankful that our teenage daughter was able to spend time with the girls on the team and was able to feel comfortable participating in the activities as an assisitant to them. All of it made an impact here...their willingness to serve impacted our ability to serve where we live. 


It was so great to have the extra hands and hearts to do all that we were able to do this week and I know that it did not go unnoticed with the people that we met and were able to serve. I am so thankful that we were able to have them here with us this week and look forward to hearing about all they get to experience this summer.  I hope to see them again sometime. What we experienced this week was just a taste of what God has in store for those who follow after Him with their whole lives.  He wants all of us to know what it feels like to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to know how to give and to serve, to make an impact on people wherever we are.  I hope that I can do so with the same graciousness of this team that has impacted us this week.