It's May?!

May 31, 2011 is the very last day of my internship here at UrbanPromise.

Getting ready to leave the park, Boston asked me if I was going to cry when I have to say bye to him and the kids. I replied, “yeah Boston. You can most definitely count on it.” It’s going to be the worst. Look at these pictures. These were all taken at the beginning of this month when he asked me that. Everyone is gorgeous. All of them beautifully made with only the best of hearts. Even though I’ve had some tough moments with these kids, when I look at these pictures, all is lost. I love all of them so much and only want the best for them. I have fully enjoyed every moment with everyone here at UrbanPromise.

Coming into this experience, I was expecting to teach, mentor, discipline, hear all of these sob stories of their home life, literally dedicate myself to the mission, etc. However, all of those selfish and limited expectations of what I thought the reality of this internship was, were either exceeded or thrown out the window. You can’t give unless you first receive. I have learned that Jesus sends us on mission in our weakness. He uses us to do His work – to advance His gospel. So, we go in weakness, but with the strength of God and also, in the face of rejection and persecution.

I admit that I might have come here with some different intentions, but for some reason I could never doubt that God wanted me here this year. I was a receptive listener. He sent me on mission in His power obviously proving Himself to be surprising and unpredictable, but infinitely reliable. But because there is order and priority to His mission and with assurance, security, and truth that God wanted me here, I drove across the country.

He put me in a house with eleven other interns because together we were sent on THIS mission. We call each other family because we were meant to be. We hold each other accountable and with this family, we have enjoyed each other’s company the whole year. As in Acts 2: 42-47, we have all encompassed fellowship the right way. We devoted ourselves to teaching, to each other, to swallowship, and to prayer. He sent His disciples out by twos because of their gifts and He put us all together because we compliment each other’s. He sent me on mission relationally. Everybody counts. That’s how God sees His world – everyone deserving the chance to hear about His love.

Words say, deeds do.  Jesus sends us on mission in word and deed. Words can be powerful, but deeds serve as bridges for sharing God’s message. Regardless of the reactions or results, God has been magnified through the work that has been done this year. Jesus has sent me on mission here ultimately to make Him known.

This year I have truly surrendered myself as a sent one – one who’s weak but empowered by God. However, it’s not just a year of mission. We are called to a lifetime of mission. Pace yourself because it’s more of a marathon than it is a sprint.

I can’t express enough how much all of your support meant to me. It’s very encouraging that you were with me the whole way, reading my letters, praying, and willing to share your finances. I wish that all of you could have been here with me to see how it all goes down every day. Everyone from Camp Freedom and the Downtown House would have loved to meet you. Through my dedication and experiences here in Camden, NJ, I hope I have encouraged you too. At the end of the month, my plans are to go back home to my family in California.

Adios amigos.