It never ceases to amaze me how God puts people in your life that undoubtedly will change it forever.
Last Sunday as me and Hannah (my amazing co host, roomie, and best friend) prepared for the new group of students to arrive we prayed for their hearts to be opened to God's, so that they might see this beautiful city as He sees it. It was similar to prayers we have prayed for groups previous, but this time we asked that God would allow us to move with the group.
<Our expectations of this new group were low already seeing as they kept us up the night before because they decided to go to In and Out (a burger place for all my southern friends) and didn't arrive at the housing site till nearly 1 am.> :)
Anyway...God not only heard our prayers that afternoon but acted boldly quickly.
I knew after the first nights dinner that this group was not only special but sent to Hannah I from God himself. They had been to the island of Eluthera where I recently visited, they knew one of my dear sisters from my Africa team, they were SOUTHERN, and one guy had even dated someone one who went to Hannah's high school...which is crazy in itself because she graduated with 43 people.
The first night was only a small glimpse into how wonderful it would be to work alongside them in LA, being love to the men, women, and children that we served.
I got to hear genuine prayers of crying out to God on behalf of the people here. I got to see laughter, smiles and joy be exchanged daily at our kids site. I got to witness intentional community happen within their own group, and see them learn to not only love the people of LA more but to love each other more. I got to have late night heart to hearts, hearing peoples stories, finding out their passions, and trying to figure out life's deep questions together. Not only did I get to see so many beautiful God moments, but they took us in and allowed us to be apart of those moments with them.
I also learned several new ummm... I'll call them skills.
I learned how to properly throw a Frisbee.
I learned to how to make a Frisbee bounce of the ground...sort of.
I learned how to throw a "flick" yeah I'm legit I know the terminology.
I learned the exact population of LA...something I probably should have known before.
I learned what some new buildings were.
I learned the game "what are the odds."
I learned how to dance...on the street in Santa Monica.
I learned a song about a moose...with hand motions.
I learned what contra dancing is.
I learned that you can never play the song "Some Nights" by FUN too many times!
Through all the fun moments God showed me something very special and holy. That I was among people my age who loved Jesus with all they had and were/are going to change this world. I believe they are changing the face of their campus and that the Lord will continue to work through them there. I believe with everything in my heart that where ever Clemson Wesley decides to go, what ever they decide to do, they will make a lasting impression of Gods kingdom on to that place.
Dear Clemson Wesley,
We love you dearly. We miss you equally. And we're praying for you daily.
We can't wait to road trip in May. And were so happy that we can now be Real Life friends!
Thank you all for changing our lives, for loving us, and for being so amazing!
Love Always,
Bailey and Hannah
"SPICY LIPS ROLL OUT!" |
Trying to get a friday fist pump from the kids we played with at a Skid Row after school kids program called Las Familias. |
Outside the Los Angeles regional Food Bank! A Cold morning spent in the freezer. But rewarded with Capri Sun! |