I am saddened and excited to say our first week of programming is officially over. We had 3 great groups come in and serve the Lord and my awesome area team helped us out a ton. God has shown his grace and blessings in so many ways during the week at Wanblee.
First of all, I want to highlight that the youth and adult leaders that came this week were incredible. We had one group from Woodstock Illinois that really melted my heart because they served the Lord so humbly but reached out to me incessantly. Their trip leader Cyndy was amazing. She was like my mom away from my mom for a week. I desperately needed that. She hugged me and encouraged me and just watching God use her to reach the youth and the community was so inspiring. There were also two other leaders Don and Pat who reached out to me from this group. Don had a daughter on the trip who I just instantly bonded with. It makes me feel so good to see a younger generation of youth with passion to serve the Lord. She and her dad just reminded me of Gods fire. It was incredible. Pat, who had a son on the trip who I got to know was like my dad away from my daddy. We were able to connect on a real deep level, sharing testimonies and stories yet could have fun. God definitely used Pat to remind me of his unfailing never ending love this week. Finally, the youth were amazing.They stepped up and served with their whole hearts. It was nice because I got close to this group of boys. Sam, Andy, and Mason; they were like my little brothers for the week. They joked around with me, helped me serve the Lord, loved on my area staff that was here, the community, and me. It was great. It left me speechless to look at these guys and see how on fire their hearts are for God, and how God has used them to pursue me. The cream of the crop for our first programming week. I couldn't have got a better group to kick off the summer with.
Now I am gonna share some of the highlights of the week.
-A little boy Daniel who is the son of a community member in Wanblee saw me walking up to his house and ran out, jumped in my arms, wrapped his hands around my neck, and said "Kristen, you came back!" I was speechless, and reminded of why I am in Wanblee. Why I love this community. It was awesome.
-Another highlight was when our community member J came to speak to the kids and hugged me 4 times. He is such a compassionate man and does so much for the community, but was really hard for me to read him so for him to hug me and accept me meant everything.
-One of the crews this week fell in love with Daniel that they went and bought water balloons just so they could play with him.
-An adult leader named Doug touched my heart by driving 30 minutes away to buy supplies to fix part of a community members house. Doug was passionate about serving and it spoke volumes of his leadership and love for God.
Ultimately this week was better than I could have imagined. God blessed me in so many ways this week.
Next I wanted to share with you some things about the staff I have come to know and love as my friends from my area. Josiah and I got pretty close this week. He is like a little brother to me. He hugged me when I had a moment this week yet pesters me like only a little brother can. Connor and I also became pretty close. He is such a funny person and always brings a smile to my face but I got to see his love for God this week. There was a kid on the trip who was handicapped in a few ways, and just watching Connor pour out to this kid almost brought tears to my eyes. It was amazing to see. Claire helped me out do much at wp and always with a smile. Kayla's happy heart is contagious and brought me energy numerous times this week. Erin, another site director has a quiet leadership that inspires you to want to do well and we engaged in some great conversation. Chris has the best work ethic I have ever seen and loves everyone. Josh just loves to serve and gives it his whole heart. Katie is incredible at everything but teaches in a humble way that is encouraging. Dave, our utility, who left yesterday is totally cool and flexible. Haha that's a bit of an inside joke, but he loves to help everyone and
Always does it so graciously. Zach, my sites kids club guy just pours out every fiber of his being to the kids in the community and it has left me speechless. Tyler, my sites program staff shows Gods love through words and prayer in ways that one just can't comprehend. Wendy, my site director has a way of leading that is so empowering but efficient and fun. Last but not least, our area director Jordan is the reason out area is so close, why we want to serve the Lord, and why we have such big hearts for our communities. So that was my team this week! It was hard to let them leave because we have all grown so close but I can't wait to hear about all God uses them for this summer.
I also wanted to thank another area director Peter. We did an encouragement circle and Jordan told me how Peter really cares about my summer, about me as a person. That coming from the person who hired me just really has encouraged me and inspired me to serve and glorify Gods kingdom even more.
Below are some pictures from my week.
Thanks again friends and family for all your continual prayers and support.
I love you all.
-Kristen
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