This week was different. With the holiday the group was only here 3 days. But we still got the Six Flags invite :) The group had a married couple help be the leaders. Early in the week they showed they had a heart for others, and continued with it throughout the week. She made my park ministry a breeze, and the group helped me take some giant steps towards building relationships with those kids. I did find out one of the young boys moved out of the area. He was a great kid, but had some “hood” problems. He was always trying to fight for any reason, but when I was able to calm him down, he was very intelligent, and even was apologetic for loosing his cool. But I have a group of kids that are a handful, but I feel God is giving me the guidance, strength, and mission teams to be able to reach. I’m looking forward to next week.
The group brought grapes and apples for the snack on Thursday. The kids loved it, which is a ton different then kids back in Huntington.
I have been challenged to get outside my comfort zone. The women of the married couple was staying up late on Thursday night and talking with 2 other ladies outside the church. They were discussing the prostitute house across the street (which is the one 3 doors down from my house). I was nervous just being outside, but she had such a heart for the people that she even struck up a conversation with the pimp of the house Friday morning during breakfast. To me that was crazy. Another side story is from Shaun. Shaun and I are similar but different. During a trip to some low income areas to give out hotdogs and chips, Shaun asked me if I wanted to head over to the shady house with him. I knew which one he was talking about. 3 guys, and 2 girls were outside of a house across the street. They all looked suspicious, and after being with one of the kids last week and him being offered weed, I wasn’t that excited to branch out. But I went in with him. WE just walked up and humbly invited them over for a hotdog. While we were there another guy walked out from around back and kinda scared me. The reason I say these stories is these 2 people a challenging me. They are both great people, but I see in them something I envy. The ability to put my paranoia about my own safety aside, and do the work that God would have me do.
A new boy showed up at my park this week, and the teams intern and him got into a discussion fairly quick. The boy seemed to have some scar markings on his arm, and be a little mentally handicapped. One of my SA contacts was there and we walked the boy home, just to see what his home life is, and meet someone, and talk to them about kids club, and inform them about the salvation army. I am hopping this leads to another kid that God will allow me the privilege of ministering to on his behalf.
The group this week was great. They have a heart for the hurting. I had to tell them several times, and I need to let the previous groups know, that I cannot pick a favorite, or say one group was better than the others. Just God is using them all differently, and they are all amazing youth, and amazing leaders that will hopefully continue working for and searching after God.
But again it was hard to say goodbye. I’m trying to let a few things go a little more, in order to hurt less. Not sure how my heart can take it. Love God with all my heart, mind, and strength. Then love others as myself.
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