It feels like it could have been days ago that I was sitting with my dad eating hot oatmeal and yogurt. Not that a ton has happened, I just feel like time is different when I'm not a mission trip. I'm learning though that Portland isn't the type of mission work we think it is.
I'm realizing that I'm here to help relieve the burden of the 'full time missionaries' that are doing street church and running Royal Ridges camp.
Transitional Youth has so many wonderful volunteers and maybe we're here to help relieve their burden for a short period of time. And I know we did the same thing last time, but I think my heart needed to come to that understanding again.
It sorta takes the pressure off. Now I know that everything I do in Christ's name will glorify Him in some way. (Hopefully the right way). Today we're helping at Transitional Youth's camp, tomorrow we're gardening for Jack and Jan (the halfway house parents). And although these things seem small, every small thing we do is one small thing they don't have to do. I compare it to Nialls shoveling dirt with dad. I remember him saying, "Every one shovel I do is one dad doesn't have to".
Street church last night was mostly slow. It's a good thing too. Sometimes the slow days make up for all the busy days for the staff there.
I got to help in the kitchen with Janice. She could be my relative (mom, aunt, cousins, etc). She just felt like family. After cooking and serving food, I went outside and just hung out with the kids on the street. There was almost a fight, but I didn't 'feel' in danger. It's amazing how quickly their fights disperse.
I saw three familiar faces from last year. One was Kelly who is a volunteer at street church still. Another was Sprout. I mentioned her in last year's journal. Last time she was with a guy. This time she wasn't. I think she gained weight, but I'm pretty sure it was her. I wonder what has happened in the past year of her life, because I know a lot has happened in the past year of mine. The third familiar face was that Chinese guy. He was wearing the same "Class of 2001" t-shirt.
While we were there, we got to paint the Transitional Youth BIrthday Box. Some of the street youth helped. IT was a good conversation started. I met a guy who had been going to street church for 11 years. He's almost 25 and won't be able to go after that because of the age limit.
I know this is all objective and I'm not really writing down how I feel about any of these past events; but, I don't really know how I feel. I'm processing. It's hard for me to see the same people and want to sit down for coffee or something and find out what they've been up to, when they don't recognize me at all. I mean, how many faces have they seen in the past year that are nothing but a blur.
I don't really know what to think. I'm just here to serve.
Right now, I'm sitting outside of our cabin. It's misty and cloudy and beautiful. I love it here.
Our team is funny, I wish we were riding in one car.
Lord, please give us all love and joy as we serve You. Guide us and fill us with Your spirit.
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