The same problem that I faced when I tried to first write a blog is
once again staring me in the face because there is no possible way to
accurately describe just how I fell or what I have experienced now that my
internship with CHAT is over. To put it simply or just the best that I
can do, God has deeply impacted my life through the community that I saw as
well as was a part of. A quick but impactful story about the summer camp
we took the kids to called SB2dub might be a little more helpful to all you blog
readers.
Even though the bus rides were giant head aches, I
absolutely loved SB2dub. One of our guys got into some discipline trouble
practically right when he got off the bus, and he and I were sent to the dreaded FireZone
for him to get his act together. Although we were doing five demanding
work outs a day with SB2dub's drill instructor-like discipline coordinator,
spending time with our kid was spectacular and definitely the highlight of the
trip as well as the best memory one could ask for to finalize the internship. During one of the
days we were in isolation, he told me all about his troubled family history and
that just blew my socks off. I had no idea what to do or say because I
have never heard about someone dealing with such problems outside of hearsay. When he would randomly cry while we were
eating about his living situation, all I could do was hold him and encourage
him to talk about his problems so they aren’t just being built up and teach him about Christ. I feel as though I gained a brother during
that time because of how much we talked, cared for and encouraged one another
in the FireZone.
I have learned about many different aspects of what it
looks like to be a Christian while at CHAT, and I am excited to take this preparation
to my school as well as with me the rest of my life so I can further love the
Lord my God as well as my neighbor as myself.
Thank you everyone who helps make CHAT the loving community that it is
as well as striving to be, to all of those who gave me encouragement to
continue to work with excellence and dependency, as well as the Stricklands for
inviting me to stay in their growing and chaotic (but wonderful!) household.
