This summer was an incredible journey. Each day I look back on it and smile. However, my smile always turns into tears. It is during the moments that I reflect on my summer that I remember my heart still lies in Heart Butte. I long for nothing more than to go back and to be surrounded by the people I love, and to hold the children I so dearly miss. To laugh, play, love, and share the good news with them once again. When I think of their trials, the things their young minds and eyes have to see and endure, it is too much for my heart to bear. It is at those moments I cry out all the hurt, and then fall on my knees and pray for them. And pray for God’s sweet justice, mercy, and love to cover them. It’s in these moments I think, God can I do nothing? Was it truly only a summer? Is my mission over? And God answers with a bold NO.
With much knowledge comes great responsibility my friends. The things that I witnessed this summer, the poverty, the despair, the need. Those things and calls to service cannot go unanswered. Before leaving Heart Butte I desperately asked Jolene “What can I do Jolene? Tell me how I can serve these children even when I’m miles away.” Jolene told me of how the local school had run out of money, and they had no means to buy school supplies. They didn’t know where they were going to get supplies for the children to go to school. That was one call. Another she told me about was coats. Jolene once told me that some parents would send their children to school without coats during the winter, because they did not have the money to buy them. That was call number two. The students also do not own snow boots. No matter the weather, or their shoe attire the students have mandatory recess. One of the teachers at the school said the children come in with soaked feet and pants, they are freezing and find no relief for their cold damp feet.
Many of you amazing youth who came and served this summer know of the situation of the children living in heart butte. You witnessed their clothes that were too big/small, dirty, and tattered. I know several of you helped me each day take off and shove back on their shoes that were two sizes too small. And so I ask you to pray about partnering with me in this call to ministry. Is God calling you to rise up and answer this call?
The past few months I have been working on a ministry for Heart Butte. I ran a school and coats drive at my Church and they were so gracious and gave much. I had the blessing of shipping that stuff out just days ago. YouthWorks also granted me a ministry grant to send some more school supplies and snow boots over. However, there is still much need. More coats, snow boots, clothes and school supplies are needed. I want to give each of you the opportunity to put into practice what you learned this summer. To rise up, to be different, and to answer the call of a people crying out in need. Drives like the one I did can be ran in all of your states through your church, and put on by you. This could be a ministry your youth group decides to put on together to serve the site you served this summer. Guys, missions doesn’t end when you leave the site for the summer. It can continue while you are away. Jesus Once said “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:40.
Many of you left me in awe this summer. You are an inspiring group of youth and it was an honor for me to serve with you. I pray that you are all doing well, and I love hearing from you all it blesses my heart! If you feel the Lord is calling you to participate in this ministry please contact me! This is an opportunity for you to love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and truly make a difference in a world that so dearly needs that love and service today.
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